By: Clement Kgatla - Responsible Pharmacist, Bidvest International Logistics  

Across Africa, I have seen how the ability to deliver safe and effective medicines depends on one critical factor: cold-chain compliance. As demand for vaccines, biologics, and other temperature-sensitive medicines grows, so does the need for a supply chain that protects product integrity from manufacture to last-mile delivery.   

At Bidvest International Logistics (BIL), cold-chain compliance is more than keeping products cold. It is the disciplined, fully documented handling of pharmaceuticals within validated, temperature-controlled environments. This requires specialised equipment such as refrigerated vehicles, qualified packaging, controlled storage areas, and calibrated data loggers. Without these measures, the safety and quality of medicines cannot be guaranteed.   

Recent global events have exposed gaps and created urgency. Pandemics, regional trade growth, and increasing cross-border movement have highlighted the need for decentralised, fully compliant pharma hubs across Africa. These hubs reduce transit times, shorten value chains, and improve access for remote communities. I have long believed that the industry needs to invest in building capacity by decentralising operations from traditional centres and establishing regional facilities that support efficient access to medicines.   

At BIL, our approach to compliance is rooted in World Health Organisation (WHO) and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) guidelines, supported by ISO-aligned quality systems and strengthened through partnerships with fully registered operators. This ensures full traceability and integrity throughout the cold-chain journey, which is critical in regions where high temperatures and challenging transport infrastructure add significant complexity.   

A reliable cold chain can expand access to previously unreachable areas. Strengthening the cold chain is not only an operational priority but also a strategic one. It directly shapes healthcare equity across the continent.   

Cold-chain reliability is a true public-health equaliser. When the chain holds, vaccines and life-saving medicines reach the communities that need them most, thereby enhancing healthcare resilience across Africa.   

To move forward, Africa needs collaborative investment and harmonised regulatory standards that support the sustainable expansion of cold-chain infrastructure. Only then can we unlock a stronger, more equitable pharma supply chain that protects the quality and integrity of healthcare products, ultimately safeguarding public health.