Investment in Refrigerated Logistics Can Boost Intra-African Trade: SA Analyst
21:09 01.09.2026 (Updated: 21:24 01.09.2026)
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Investment in Refrigerated Logistics Can Boost Intra-African Trade: SA Analyst
"Distance is a key factor in global competitiveness, particularly in [perishable] products that need to reach the market as quickly as possible," Mmatlou Kalaba, senior analyst at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, told Sputnik Africa, commenting on the growth of cold-chain investments and expansion in Africa in general and in South Africa in particular, where investors are focusing on establishing operations in new areas that lack such services.
However, "it goes beyond just that kind of infrastructure," Kalaba pointed out.
The analyst also highlighted the need for:
🟠Reducing bureaucratic delays at border posts;
🟠Eliminating non‑tariff barriers;
🟠Making officials "facilitators" of trade agreements;
🟠Introducing dedicated freight lanes at key border posts.
SADC has "taken a step towards" a single administrative document to "facilitate the process," reducing duplicate inspections at border posts, the analyst noted.
"In other words, if a truck passes on the South African side, it should not be evaluated and asked for the same documents when it enters Zimbabwe and vice versa."
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