Strategic Management of Transport Infrastructure: Implications for the Efficiency of Logistics Operations in Africa
Main Article Content
Abstract
Transport infrastructure is a critical determinant of economic growth and development in Africa. Despite the continent’s rich resource base and strategic positioning, inadequate and poorly managed transport infrastructure hampers logistics efficiency and trade competitiveness. This study investigates how strategic management of transport infrastructure impacts the efficiency of logistics operations in Africa, identifying key barriers and proposing scalable solutions. The analysis covers sub-Saharan and North African regions, using a combination of macroeconomic data, institutional reports, and case studies from countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco. A mixed-method approach was used, including a review of regional infrastructure strategies, World Bank logistics performance data, and expert interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis was applied to case studies, and quantitative logistics efficiency indicators were statistically evaluated. Strategic planning, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and institutional reforms correlate positively with improved logistics performance. Conversely, fragmented governance, underinvestment, and regulatory bottlenecks negatively affect logistics efficiency. Improving the strategic management of transport infrastructure can significantly enhance Africa’s logistics operations. The study highlights the need for integrated national transport master plans, regional cooperation, and targeted investments. This research contributes to the discourse on African development by linking infrastructure strategy with logistical effectiveness and trade facilitation, offering actionable policy insights. Employing a mixed-methods design and a cross-regional comparison between sub-Saharan and North Africa, the study offers a holistic perspective on scalable solutions.
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2025 Taras Mukha, Nadiia Popova (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Taras Mukha, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Postgraduate Student.
Nadiia Popova, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Doctor of Economics, Professor.
African Finance Corporation. (2024). State of Africa’s infrastructure report 2024. African Finance Corporation. https://www.africafc.org/our-impact/our-publications
African Development Bank. (2023). African economic outlook 2023: Mobilizing private-sector financing for climate and green growth. African Development Bank Group. https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/afdb23-01_aeo_main_english_0602.pdf
African Development Bank. (2024). African Transport Forum 2024: Concept note. African Development Bank Group.
African Union. (2025, July 14). Single African Air Transport Market. https://au.int/saatm
African Union Commission. (2025). Agenda 2063 flagship projects. https://au.int/en/agenda2063/flagship-projects
African Union Development Agency–NEPAD. (2021). PIDA progress report 2021. Author. https://www.nepad.org/publication/pida-first-10-year-implementation-report
AME Trade. (2024). Africa PPP 2024 post-show report. Author. https://africappp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/APPP_2024_-_Post_Show_Report_-_EN.pdf
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. (2023a). Annual report 2023. COMESA Secretariat. https://www.comesa.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/COMESA-2023-ANNUAL-REPORT.pdf
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. (2023b). Macroeconomic developments in the COMESA region 2023. COMESA Secretariat.
Development Bank of Southern Africa. (2023). Assessing the effectiveness of infrastructure PPPs: Dakar–Diamniadio Toll Road case study. Development Bank of Southern Africa / African Development Bank Group.
DP World. (2021). The smarter trade report 2021. Author.
DP World. (2024). Annual report 2024. Author.
ECOWAS Commission. (2022a). Regional infrastructure master plan (2020-2045). ECOWAS Commission. https://regiusadler.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2_RESUME_ECOWAS-Infrastructure-Masterplan.pdf
ECOWAS Commission. (2022b). Regional climate strategy action plan 2022–2030. ECOWAS Commission.
Gwilliam, K. M. (2011). Africa’s transport infrastructure: Mainstreaming maintenance and management. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8456-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8456-5
International Monetary Fund. (2025). Laying the ground for scaling-up climate finance in Sub-Saharan Africa (Working Paper WP/25/99). https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229004091.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229004091.001
Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat. (2024). Flagship programmes and projects progress report, FY 2022/23..
Kilaka, B. M., & de Jesus Neto, A. G. (2023). The Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET): Contradictions of a circulation mega-project in contemporary East Africa. GeoÁfrica Bulletin, 2(6), 6-13. https://doi.org/10.59508/geoafrica.v2i6.59838 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59508/geoafrica.v2i6.59838
Kilonzi, F., & Kanai, C. K. (2020). Electronic cargo-tracking system and its effects on revenue realisation in East Africa member countries. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 10(1), 633-642. https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.01.2020.p9796 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.01.2020.p9796
Labour Research Service. (2024). African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) briefing (2nd ed.).
Mogoiwa, M. R. (2023). An evaluation of the impact of transport-infrastructure investment on the economic performance of South Africa [Master’s thesis, University of the Witwatersrand]. University Repository.
Morisson, J. (2020). Transport-infrastructure development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends, challenges and policy options. Journal of African Policy Studies, 15(1), 35-54.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2022). Africa’s development dynamics 2022: Regional value chains for a sustainable recovery. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/2e3b97fd-en DOI: https://doi.org/10.1787/2e3b97fd-en
Tanger Med Group. (2022). Annual report 2022.
The Times. (2024, August 11). Kenyan train to nowhere reveals China’s debt-trap diplomacy. The Times.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2022). Review of maritime transport 2022: Navigating stormy waters. https://doi.org/10.18356/9789210021470 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18356/9789210021470
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2023). Energy transition and ports in Africa [Webinar presentation].
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2024). ASYCUDA report 2024: Innovation for a changing world.
World Bank. (2023, July 20). Addis–Djibouti corridor to get major upgrade that is key to unlocking connectivity and trade for Ethiopia [Press release]. World Bank.
World Bank. (2023). Logistics Performance Index 2023. World Bank. https://lpi.worldbank.org
World Bank. (2023). Port community systems: Lessons from global experience (Conference ed.). https://doi.org/10.1596/42269 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/42269
World Bank. (2024). The Container Port Performance Index 2023: A comparable assessment of performance based on vessel time in port. https://doi.org/10.1596/41707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/41707
World Bank. (2025, July 10). Robust policies for better public services in Africa: The 2025 CPIA report in six charts. World Bank.
World Economic Forum. (2020). Africa strategic infrastructure initiative: Accelerating project preparation to promote infrastructure investment in Africa. World Economic Forum.
World Economic Forum. (2024). The Global Cooperation Barometer 2024. World Economic Forum.
Article Sidebar
