Breaking the Bottleneck

Cean HerzNews

Modern infrastructure alone won’t unlock Africa’s trade potential. Smarter border systems, digital integration and regional collaboration are just as important.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has given intra-African trade significant momentum, with trade expected to exceed R3.8 trillion this year while supporting the continent’s economic growth. By reducing trade friction, strengthening regional value chains and lowering settlement costs through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), AfCFTA is helping reshape trade across Africa.

Despite this progress, many African trade corridors remain inefficient. Border delays, duplicated processes and inconsistent customs procedures continue to increase costs and reduce the competitiveness of regional supply chains.

Modernising Border Infrastructure

South Africa has taken an important step forward through a R12.5 billion public-private partnership to modernise several major land border posts.

According to Devlyn Naidoo, SAAFF Executive responsible for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Other Government Agencies (OGA), this represents one of the country’s most significant trade facilitation initiatives in decades.

The targeted border posts handle more than 80% of regional cross-border trade and passenger movement, making their modernisation essential to improving freight efficiency across Southern Africa.

However, new infrastructure alone will not solve existing bottlenecks.

Building Smarter Border Systems

Industry is looking beyond new buildings and road upgrades toward smarter border management systems that improve efficiency while reducing unnecessary delays.

Key priorities include:

  • True One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) implementation
  • Integrated digital processing between border agencies
  • Improved freight lane management
  • Intelligent risk profiling
  • Reduced paperwork and manual interventions
  • Enhanced inspection and scanning technology
  • Better coordination between customs, immigration, agriculture and security authorities
  • More predictable turnaround times for freight operators

The real opportunity lies in integrating border agencies so that information flows seamlessly across organisations rather than requiring repeated inspections and duplicated documentation.

Collaboration Between SARS and the Border Management Authority

A positive example of this approach is the growing partnership between the Border Management Authority (BMA) and SARS.

According to Dr Juanita Maree, CEO of SAAFF, the partnership enables both organisations to work together when inspecting high-risk cargo and verifying compliance without duplicating responsibilities.

Rather than replacing one another, both agencies contribute their expertise to create a more coordinated and efficient border environment.

Dr Jacob van Rensburg, SAAFF Head of Research and Industry Intelligence, believes interoperability is the real objective.

Instead of performing identical functions, agencies should ensure that their systems, risk indicators and intervention protocols communicate effectively. From the perspective of importers and exporters, the goal should be a single, coordinated border process regardless of how many government departments are involved.

The Biggest Challenge Is Process

Many trade experts agree that infrastructure is no longer the biggest obstacle.

International trade and customs consultant Bruce Ellison argues that inefficient processes continue to create unnecessary delays across African borders.

Many border agencies still rely heavily on paper documentation that moves physically between clearing agents, truck drivers and government officials. Although digital customs systems already exist, many processes continue to run in parallel with manual procedures, creating duplication instead of efficiency.

As a result, freight often experiences unnecessary processing delays even at modern border facilities.

Ellison believes the solution lies in digital processing, improved risk management and greater cooperation between neighbouring countries rather than simply expanding physical infrastructure.

The Role of Special Economic Zones

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) also have an important role to play in improving regional trade.

According to Dave Logan, Executive Officer of the South Africa Freight and Logistics Association, AfCFTA implementation reports consistently identify transport, energy and logistics infrastructure, together with customs complexity and inconsistent regulations, as major barriers to cross-border trade.

Well-designed SEZs can help overcome these challenges by combining logistics, customs services and industrial development within integrated trade hubs.

Countries such as Egypt and Ethiopia have already demonstrated how coordinated infrastructure and logistics corridors can become powerful drivers of regional trade.

South Africa’s Opportunity

South Africa’s experience with SEZs has produced mixed results.

While the country’s twelve Special Economic Zones have attracted more than R30 billion in investment and created over 27,000 jobs, experts believe their full economic potential has yet to be realised.

The strongest-performing zones, including Coega, Dube TradePort and the Tshwane Automotive SEZ, all share several common characteristics:

  • Strong logistics connectivity
  • Proximity to ports or transport corridors
  • Clear industry focus
  • Effective governance

As AfCFTA continues to expand, South Africa has an opportunity to reposition its SEZs as regional logistics hubs that support African supply chains rather than serving only export markets.

Raising the Standard for Logistics

Moving cargo efficiently also depends on modern logistics infrastructure.

Today’s Grade A warehouses require far more than storage space. They increasingly include:

  • Cold chain capability
  • Enhanced security and access control
  • Fire compliance
  • Reliable backup power
  • Digital inventory management
  • End-to-end cargo traceability

Growing demand from retailers, pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers is raising expectations for compliance, visibility and supply chain resilience across Africa.

One-Stop Border Posts Deliver Results

TradeMark Africa (TMA) has demonstrated the value of integrated border management by supporting the development of 15 One-Stop Border Posts across East Africa.

According to TMA, surveyed border crossings have achieved an average 70% reduction in border crossing times.

These improvements are not simply the result of new infrastructure. They reflect the successful combination of digital customs systems, interoperable technology, regional cooperation and harmonised standards between neighbouring countries.

Looking Ahead

Africa’s trade future will not be determined solely by better roads, ports and border facilities.

The greatest opportunity lies in creating connected border systems where agencies share information, customs processes are digitised, inspections are risk-based and regional cooperation becomes the norm rather than the exception.

As AfCFTA continues to transform continental trade, investing in smarter processes alongside modern infrastructure will be essential to building faster, more competitive and more resilient African supply chains.