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Poor infrastructure means Africa misses out on boom: Transnet chief
来源：shippingazette.com 编辑：编辑部 发布：2017/12/08 10:48:24
SUB-SAHARAN Africa is missing out on a global shipping boom because of poor infrastructure, says South Africa'sTransnet Group CEO Siyabonga Gama, reports Johannesburg's Business Day.
Speaking to the Terminal Operators Conference Africa in Durban, the boss of South African state-controlled transport giant said poor infrastructure was killing opportunity across Africa.
Worldwide shipping container volumes are set to break the 200-million TEU level for the first time in 2017, Mr Gama said, but a poor transport network was holding the bonanza back.
"The combination of years of under-investment and exploitation has meant that African ports, roads and railways were mainly designed and built to facilitate transportation of raw materials and resources to markets outside the continent," he said.
The 2017 African Economic Outlook report by the African Development Bank, released earlier this year, has shown that from 2007 to 2015, Africa's light manufactured goods imports tripled to reach US$260 billion.
"With such a high dependence on external trade, productive and efficient ports are critical for Africa's growth. All of us here today have a vested interest in ensuring our countries optimise freight efficiency and bring products to market faster across the continent - and for less cost."
Mr Gama said the cost of moving goods was still very high and is passed on to the consumer, thereby impeding Africa's ability to be competitive in pricing.
"Effective transport networks are a key component of the investment climate, enabling access to markets and reducing the costs of doing business. Africa's challenges are not only the lack of investments in infrastructure, but also the distance between the hinterland and port," Mr Gama said.
Speaking to the Terminal Operators Conference Africa in Durban, the boss of South African state-controlled transport giant said poor infrastructure was killing opportunity across Africa.
Worldwide shipping container volumes are set to break the 200-million TEU level for the first time in 2017, Mr Gama said, but a poor transport network was holding the bonanza back.
"The combination of years of under-investment and exploitation has meant that African ports, roads and railways were mainly designed and built to facilitate transportation of raw materials and resources to markets outside the continent," he said.
The 2017 African Economic Outlook report by the African Development Bank, released earlier this year, has shown that from 2007 to 2015, Africa's light manufactured goods imports tripled to reach US$260 billion.
"With such a high dependence on external trade, productive and efficient ports are critical for Africa's growth. All of us here today have a vested interest in ensuring our countries optimise freight efficiency and bring products to market faster across the continent - and for less cost."
Mr Gama said the cost of moving goods was still very high and is passed on to the consumer, thereby impeding Africa's ability to be competitive in pricing.
"Effective transport networks are a key component of the investment climate, enabling access to markets and reducing the costs of doing business. Africa's challenges are not only the lack of investments in infrastructure, but also the distance between the hinterland and port," Mr Gama said.