By 2030, Southern Africa’s logistics landscape will be transformed through infrastructure investment, deeper regional integration and sustainability initiatives.

While significant challenges remain, the foundations being laid currently position the region to capitalise on growing global demand for its mineral resources, says logistics company Reload Logistics in its '2025 Outlook Report: Unlocking Southern Africa’s Trade Potential in 2025 and Beyond'.

Southern Africa’s logistics sector is at a pivotal turning point, which is shaped by rising trade activity, major infrastructure investments and the growing demand for efficiency.

With the region’s economy expected to grow by 4.2% in the coming years, driven by commodity exports and transport network improvements, producers, traders and manufacturers must adapt to an increasingly dynamic and interconnected environment.

Further, Southern Africa’s regional economy is projected to expand by 4.2% over the coming years, with the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement set to boost intra-African trade by 52%.

This economic growth is primarily driven by mining sector expansion, soft commodity demand and foreign investment, the report notes.

The region’s logistics capacity is being transformed by large-scale infrastructure investments, enhancing trade corridors and efficiencies. As Africa continues to expand its position in global trade networks, stakeholders are finding new market opportunities.

For example, about 70% of Zambia and the DRC’s copper exports went through the Port of Dar es Salaam in 2022, and the 184 km Kasomeno-Mwenda road corridor, on schedule for completion in 2026, will shorten the route between Lubumbashi and Dar es Salaam by 500 km, making exports more efficient.

Additionally, the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project will increase port capacity from 15-million tonnes to 30-million tonnes by 2030, reducing vessel wait times and enhancing efficiency, the report highlights.

Southern Africa is a major source of minerals used in electric vehicles, providing about 30% of the world’s critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt and copper. This demand is transforming global supply chains, with markets increasingly turning to Africa for these resources.

Nearly 70% of the world’s cobalt, and the majority of copper, comes from the DRC. To support this market, investments in railways and ports are accelerating, creating more efficient transportation networks to meet demand.

Specifically, Walvis Bay provides a shorter transit, of 1 500 km to 2 400 km, and serves as a strategic gateway for western mining in the DRC, being well suited for time-sensitive bulk cargo and European connections.

Following 2019 port enhancements and upgrades, the port can manage almost one-million twenty-foot equivalent units a year. Dredging in 2025 will facilitate the larger bulk carriers and increase efficiency, Reload Logistics adds.

Additionally, the Kasumbalesa Dry Port development streamlines customs clearance and enhances cargo security and handling capacity, which will enable the terminal to facilitate faster trade flows, particularly for the DRC’s mining exports.

Similarly, the Lobito Corridor, linking Angola’s Lobito port with the DRC and Zambia, is projected to be a low-cost alternative for copper exports by 2028. Trial shipments have commenced, signalling early adoption, the report states.

TRENDS AND DRIVERS
By 2030, the demand for green logistics could reach about $350-billion, accounting for about 15% of total global logistics spending.

Businesses are responding with optimised packaging solutions and lower-carbon transport options, including rail and multimodal logistics, and green procurement practices that align with global sustainability frameworks, Reload Logistics says.

The logistics sector is being reshaped by technological advancements that reduce costs and improve reliability, particularly in bulk cargo movement.

These technologies are especially valuable in Africa’s often challenging infrastructure environments, where predictive capabilities can significantly mitigate operational risks, the report points out.

“By 2030, we expect the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra-African trade by more than half, creating new flows of bulk commodities across the continent.”

Between 2025 and 2030, Southern Africa is set to see a wave of infrastructure development. Government-led initiatives aim to close critical gaps in regional networks, with meaningful progress expected by the end of the decade.

For port and rail enhancements, companies are focusing on large investments with the aim of enhancing port and rail capacity for bulk cargo handling.

Additionally, the 30-year concession granted to the Trafigura-led consortium for the Lobito rail corridor shows how public-private partnerships are reshaping the region’s logistics backbone to serve mineral exporters in the DRC and Zambia, Reload Logistics says.