Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 12 | Page 85

///////////////////////////////////////////////// INTELLIGENT VERTICAL: TRADE AND LOGISTICS THE FUTURE OF AFRICA’S PORTS IS ALSO THE FUTURE OF ITS ECONOMIC SUCCESS Africa’s sea ports are the key to ensuring the country plays a meaningful role in world trade, writes Kirenga Rwigema, Industry Value Advisor for Ports and Rail at SAP Africa. www.intelligentcio.com S tatistics indicate that 90% of imports and exports in Africa are driven by sea. Reports suggest that global freighter fleet is expected to double over the next decade due to the growing consumption demands of the ever-increasing middle class. Beyond fulfilling their respective countries’ trade needs, ports act as gateways to landlocked countries such as Ethiopia and Chad, that have significant agrarian and raw materials export potential, and great need for imports of finished and processed goods from the East and West. Without these gateways, landlocked countries that have much to offer in world trade are figuratively closed for shop. If Africa is to play a meaningful role in world trade and benefit from the rapid global INTELLIGENTCIO 85