The corridors connecting Douala to Bangui, N’Djamena, and Yaounde to Libreville is as vital arteries for landlocked nations like Chad and the Central African Republic. They are responsible for the bulk of land based imports and exports. Unfortunately, these roads are plagued by poor infrastructure, outdated equipment, insufficient logistical hubs, weak security, and sluggish customs procedures. As a result, Central Africa faces some of the highest logistics costs globally. These can account for up to 60% of the value of goods, compared to just 8 -10% in developed economies. Much of this inefficiency stems from a lack of training among transporters in cost management, customs clearance, and modern logistics practices. Informal and unregulated operators dominate, especially among small independent transporters who lack the means or knowledge to formalize their businesses.
Structural challenges undermining sector competitiveness
The region’s road infrastructure remains largely inadequate and poorly interconnected. Many roads are in disrepair, lacking maintenance or modern designs standard. Bridges are often defective, and safe rest stops for drivers are rare or non-existent. These weaknesses result in significant delays, high vehicle wear, and risks for both goods and personnel. Another major barrier is the fragmentation of regulations across national borders. Countries often maintain their own access conditions to the profession, transport rules, and customs procedures. This regulatory dissonance is compounded by poor governance, corruption, and inefficient institutions, all of which raise operational costs and reduce competitiveness.
The lack of professionalism in road transport generates major economic losses. According to the African Development Bank, logistical fragmentation across the continent may lead to a 2% annual GDP loss. In Central Africa, unreliable logistics disrupt supply chains, raise retail prices, and limit economic diversification. Industries suffer from stockouts and shipment delays, while consumers pay higher prices. Socially, the lack of training contributes to high accident rates and makes transport work precarious. Artisanal transporters often operate in extreme poverty, without social protections or stable income. The absence of structured, skill-based job creation deprives youth of employment opportunities in a sector that could otherwise be a growth engine.
Strategic capacity building needs
According to Dr. Basile KEITA Transport Economist for artisanal transporters, capacity building must begin with training in cost calculation, profitability analysis, and contractual literacy. These operators also need to understand transport regulations, customs compliance, and how to structure themselves into cooperatives or economic interest groups to benefit from scale and professional representation. For small and mid-sized transport firms, training needs are more advanced. These include accounting, human resource management, vehicle fleet operations, risk management, and compliance with regulations for transporting hazardous or perishable goods. Building managerial competence in these areas will improve operational efficiency and access to investment.. Always according to him Governments have a key role to play in financing training through national budgets and specific budgetary lines in finance laws. They can also support incubators for transport cooperatives, logistics startups, and driver training schools. Meanwhile, regional organizations such as ECCAS, CEMAC, and multilateral institutions like the African Development Bank are scaling up funding for training, infrastructure upgrades, and institutional harmonization .
These bodies are also facilitating the development of academic and vocational curricula focused on logistics, transport management, and trade facilitation. Regional workshops, seminars, and technical assistance projects are increasingly being used to deliver targeted training and practical certification for transport professionals.
Opportunities for investors
The African road transport market represents a high growth opportunity. With rapid population growth, urbanization, and the rise of e-commerce, there is growing demand for professional logistics services. Yet, few operators can meet these needs. This opens space for investment in driver training centers, digital logistics solutions, telematics, maintenance services, and leasing models for modern trucks. Special economic zones in Gabon, Cameroon, and the Congo are creating demand for fully integrated logistics chains. These zones must be connected efficiently to ports and export hubs. Investors can support or operate integrated logistics platforms, develop smart road hubs, or form public-private partnerships to manage key transport corridors. Digitization also represents a powerful disruption opportunity. Real-time vehicle tracking, smart contracts, and AI-based route optimization are revolutionizing how transport is managed. African startups like Kobo360 and Lori Systems demonstrate that technology can close efficiency gaps. Investors can scale these models or launch their own tailored solutions.
Towards a coherent regional master plan
Three major frameworks now shape Central Africa’s connectivity and transport vision. These include the PDCT-AC (Regional Transport Master Plan), the PDIDE-AC (Industrialization and Economic Diversification Plan), and the continental AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area). Together, they form a cohesive foundation for regional transformation. What is needed now is concrete implementation. This means defining clear performance indicators for logistics (transit times, accident rates, profitability) and identifying a shortlist of transformative projects aligned with both national and regional priorities. It also means updating the PDCT-AC to reflect modern realities and align it with digital innovation, environmental goals, and gender-inclusion principles. Workshops organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa and government ministries are creating the space for this dialogue. These events help to harmonize strategies, establish institutional commitments, and lead to the drafting of a strategic logistics “White Paper” to guide investments and reforms.
Capacity building for road transport actors in Africa is not a luxury it’s a necessity. Without qualified professionals, no infrastructure development will reach its full potential. This strategic focus is the foundation for reducing logistics costs, improving regional competitiveness, creating quality jobs, and realizing the full benefits of the AfCFTA. Investing in training, structuring, and digitalizing the road transport sector means investing in the backbone of tomorrow’s Africa an Africa that is connected, integrated, and economically resilient.
