Nearly 62% of global logistics professionals say their companies are planning additional or first-time investments in Africa, according to a closely watched yearly industry survey.<\/p>\n
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The survey of 830 logistics executives is part of the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index (https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4bD4lSW<\/a>), a snapshot of industry sentiment and ranking of the world\u2019s 50 leading emerging markets.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Index ranks countries for overall competitiveness based on their logistics strengths, business climates and digital readiness — factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, distributors and investors. In the 2024 Index, the rankings of most African economies changed little from a year earlier, but businesses indicate they are looking ahead at massive population growth and trade expansion spurred by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is the most optimism we\u2019ve seen about Africa in the 15 years of the Index,\u201d says Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan. \u201cAfrica\u2019s population will double by 2050, when one in four people on the planet will be African. International businesses realize that the time is now for Africa — they need to invest, establish their brands, and develop the next generation of African talent if they\u2019re going to ride the coming wave of growth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n China and India were 1 and 2 in the 50-country Index rankings. In Africa, Egypt (20), Morocco (22), South Africa (24) and Kenya (25) were the top performers, followed by Ghana (31), Nigeria (36), Tunisia (37), Tanzania (41), Algeria (42), Uganda (43), Ethiopia (45), Mozambique (46), Angola (47), Libya (50).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Egypt has Africa\u2019s highest-ranked domestic logistics opportunities — 13th<\/sup>\u00a0in that category; South Africa (15) was tops in Africa for international logistics; Morocco (12) has Africa\u2019s best business fundamentals; Kenya (9) is Africa\u2019s most digitally ready \u2013 and the continent\u2019s highest-ranked country in any category.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More than 63% of survey respondents say their companies continue overhauling supply chains by spreading production to multiple locations or relocating it to home markets and nearby countries. China, the world\u2019s leading producer, stands to be most affected: 37.4% of industry professionals say they plan move production\/sourcing out of China or reduce investment there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is the most optimism we\u2019ve seen about Africa in the 15 years of the Index<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Shipping and logistics costs that soared during the COVID pandemic and its aftermath are still climbing but at a slower rate, the survey found. One way shippers expect to cope is by increasing use of digital freight forwarding from 37.8% today to 52% in five years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2024 Index Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n SURVEY<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COUNTRY RANKINGS<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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