IRU pledges to cut the cost and time of trade in Southern Africa

IRU pledges to cut the cost and time of trade in Southern Africa On the sidelines of the World Congress held in Muscat, IRU signed a memorandum of understanding with South Africa’s Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA), to reduce barriers to trade in Southern Africa.

The changing logistics industry: Africa, India and the Middle East

Alagu Balaraman, Partner and Managing Director of Indian Operations at CGN Global, highlights the critical drivers of change in logistics. He warns the industry to stay ahead of the curve so not to lose out on the opportunities.

No more running on empty

No more running on empty How a smart, connected platform assists trade, integration and the environment. CEO of EmptyTrips, Benji Coetzee, talks about how her digital company tackles the issue of empty trucks and wasted journeys on South Africa’s roads. From humble beginnings and with vast ambitions, this first online transport marketplace connecting transporters, brokers and shippers is a game-changer in the logistics and goods transport business. 

Bringing road transport up to speed

Bringing road transport up to speed Will Petty, leading IRU’s work to professionalise the road transport sector in Africa, looks at the wide-reaching benefits of safer, more efficient, more sustainable road transport services as a means to drive economies in the right direction.

IRU World Congress regional takeaways: East Africa

IRU World Congress regional takeaways: East Africa In the run-up to the IRU World Congress, we talk to FEAFFA’s John Mathenge and Wanja Kiragu from the East Africa Online Transport Agency, to hear about their expectations for the event and how it might benefit their members and the wider road transport industry of the East African region.

IRU highlights training to improve road safety at African Road Safety event

Increased training, the deployment of new technologies and a coherent regulatory environment are the life-saving elements required to reduce the number of traffic accidents in Africa. 

IRU pushes for greater transit efficiency in West and Central Africa region

IRU organised a workshop with the World Customs Organization, Africa Transport Policy Programme (hosted by the World Bank), and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organisation, gathering representatives from the public and private sectors in Cotonou, Benin, to discuss efficient and effective transit regimes for the region.

South Africa maps the road to TIR

South Africa maps the road to TIR South African government representatives are meeting with IRU this week to establish a concrete roadmap for implementing TIR to boost the efficiency of international road transport in Southern Africa, and to put in place modern frameworks for regulating access to the regional transport market.

IRU urges customs authorities to adopt more shared standards

IRU called for greater use of more flexible, straightforward customs procedures to reduce the burden of transit costs on small and medium-sized (SME) operators. 

Intermodal connectivity holds key to African trade facilitation

Presenting at African Ports Evolution 2017 in Durban today, IRU highlights the role of internationally harmonised transit systems in offering highly effective tools to boost trade across all transport modes.

New customs sealing regulations hit Zimbabwe trade

The implementation of new regulations on national customs seals in Zimbabwe is causing significant and costly delays at borders, with trucks waiting for up to five days. A multilateral, mutual recognition transit system would avoid the need for restrictive national procedures.

Sudan eyes TIR to spur growth

Meetings in Khartoum put the focus on TIR as a means for Sudan to increase competitiveness as a transit hub, boost exports, generate jobs and expand economic activities.

TIR tipped to spur business growth in Rwanda

A workshop in Rwanda, devoted to the operational aspects of TIR, has highlighted the potential of the system to boost trade facilitation in the region by removing current barriers to the seamless movement of goods across the country’s borders. 

Road transport transformation to enable growth for Oman

IRU joins forces with Oman Global Logistics Group (OGLG) to reinforce the country’s potential as a major logistics hub, served by a robust road transport sector. 

Save Lives: #SlowDown – IRU endorses UN Global Road Safety Week

Save Lives: #SlowDown” – IRU endorses UN Global Road Safety Week. IRU calls for more training, the use of new technologies and standardised speed limits to address the issue of speed management.

World Bank/IRU Guide on road transport reform at Africa Transport Policy Program annual meeting

The Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) annual meeting took place in Marrakesh last week, offering a significant platform for the World Bank/IRU Guide to road transport services reform. IRU’s lead in Africa, William Petty, presented the Guide, reinforcing its utility within the context of SSATP’s mission to promote safe, reliable, and cost-effective transport in Africa.

IRU workshop in Uganda signals new milestone for TIR expansion in Africa

Part of IRU’s wider mission across Africa to support governments and the private sector to reduce the costs of trade and transport, the workshop held in Kampala this week represents the next milestone towards ratification of the TIR Convention by countries including Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

TIR is the solution to trade challenges of the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa

TIR has been recognised as key to revitalising the Trans-Sahara trade corridor – a flagship project to improve the 9,500 kilometer road network from Algiers to Nigeria via Tunisia, Mali, Niger and Chad – which is intended to stimulate very weak trade between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. With sponsors including the Islamic Development Bank, the Trans-Sahara Highway project promises to unlock trade potential by improving infrastructure and easing border formalities.