Page 31 - Abyssinia Business Network ABN August 2019

The possibilities for a better logistics challenges in Africa. companies in Africa to achieve
future in logistics, in my view, are From delayed deliveries sustainable bottom-line growth, there
endless! And as Apoorva reiterates, between local destinations needs to occur more tech-empowered
companies cannot solely build a to sluggish growth of cross- handshakes between multiple service
successful logistics system. “It border trade, the effects are providers across markets.
requires integrating various systems being felt across the board.
and partners to create a big enough
network to serve the growing needs Modern online retailing is Governments have the responsibility
of the e-commerce consumers,” he headed towards pre-orders, to create one-window-policies that
says, calling for both private and requiring mature infrastructure empower digital payment solutions
public partnerships to this endeavor. for both small and medium as well as logistics infrastructure
businesses. This will help including road networks, air cargo
What Then, Does the Future meet the packaging, storage, handling systems and warehouses
Hold? distribution, freight and last- among others. Similarly, e-commerce
mile-delivery requirements. and logistics powerhouses like Jumia
Data by logistics consulting firm Though challenging, Africa should commit to empower more
Knight Frank, shows that the cost is a land full of commercial upcoming entrepreneurs. They must
of transportation represents 50% to opportunities; causing a also use their leading positions to
75% of the retail price of the goods. scramble for a piece of the pie continue paving the way for economic
This alone, underpins the demand among international investors. integration in Africa.
for long-term strategies to the Therefore, for e-commerce

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