Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Opens Many Opportunities for Young Professionals in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain
With the world’s youngest population, and one of the world’s largest single markets, Africa offers exciting opportunities for young professionals in logistics, transport and supply chain. This was the key message delivered at a recent webinar hosted by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa’s (CILTSA) Next Generation interest group.
According to UNICEF’s Generation 2030 Africa V2.0 report, by 2030 Africa will have the world’s largest youngest population group (between the ages 18 – 30). Africa is also becoming the world’s largest single market encompassing 55 counties, a population of 1.2 billion and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$3.2-trillion.
CILTSA President Elvin Harris CMILT explained: “The potential for Africa’s growth is huge! The signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in March 2018 offers even more opportunities and benefits”. The objectives of AfCFTA are to create a continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and capital, and to pave the way for creating a Customs Union. It will also grow intra-African trade through better harmonisation and coordination of trade liberalisation across the continent.
“Maximum continental economic development is required to ensure that the current and next generations become a demographic dividend, instead of suffering from extreme poverty,” said Harris. “The current constrained infrastructure – rail, roads, ports, electricity and ICT – is key to economic development”.
Infrastructure development underpins corridor development. “Corridors allow the flow of value both from Africa to global markets, but also within the continent – leveraging the AfCFTA – to grow the continental GDP,” explained Harris. “Corridors also expedite regional integration with increased probability of critical mass for certain economic activities. These opportunities are however delayed by slow infrastructure development, reducing the value exchange between the market and the supplier. The window of opportunity for certain types of minerals, may be limited. Slow infrastructure development may cause such value never to be unlocked for the continent.”
However, Harris believes that there are many opportunities for young professionals in logistics, transport and supply chain. “There are many options that the youth can explore in terms of career advancement:
Upskill yourself
Be prepared to relocate
Start your own venture
Move to a new industry
Innovate
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris said “Pandemics have come and gone before – the human race WILL overcome this! In our ‘new normal’, there will be setbacks and chances, but new ways and new growth is virtually guaranteed”.
We were asked if we can order from TOPS and how alcohol deliveries work on the SPAR2U app. Below are some answers on your TOPS orders and your alcohol deliveries and how it works on the SPAR2U app.
Which Grocery Delivery Apps Work With TOPS Stores?
You can order beverages from participating TOPS stores from the SPAR2U app.
Are Alcohol Deliveries Available From Participating TOPS Stores?
Yes. We deliver alcohol from TOPS stores through the SPAR2U app.
You can find our full list of participating TOPS stores on our where we deliver page.
What Alcohol Delivery Options Are Available on SPAR2U?
You can order beer, wine, spirits and other available products from participating TOPS at SPAR stores through SPAR2U.
Does SPAR2U Deliver Beer, Wine and Spirits on the Same Day?
Yes. We offer same-day alcohol delivery. This is, however, subject to delivery times and legal trading hours.
We were asked about how driver tips work on the SPAR2U app. Below are some answers about driver tips and who gets the money on the SPAR2U app.
Can I Add a Tip for My Driver?
Yes, tips help support drivers and ensures they are rewarded for their effort and service. You can add a tip during the checkout process by selecting the tip amount you desire.
Is Tipping Mandatory?
Tipping is optional but highly appreciated by the drivers for their service.
How is the Tip Amount Charged?
The tip amount is added to your total order amount and charged to your selected payment method.
Do Drivers Receive the Full Tip Amount?
Yes, drivers receive 100% of the tips given by customers. Tips go directly to the driver and are not subject to any fees.
Smarter infrastructure, better connected transport systems and airport experiences that reflect African creativity were at the centre of Runway to Railway: Project Maverick, held at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town on 22 October 2026. The gathering brought aviation, technology and creative perspectives into a discussion about how innovation can improve infrastructure and the experience of the people who use it.
Held under the theme Simply Connect Africa, the event forms part of the Runway to Railway vision conceived by Anna K Hecart, founder and director of Connected Group. The platform brings different sectors together to explore connections between infrastructure, business and opportunity across the continent.
Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure. Panel participants: Dirk Ackerman, moderator; Nicholas Ferguson, Executive Managing Director, RSA Aero; Hasnain Motlekar, Acting Chief Executive Officer, BCX; and York Ning, Director, ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Department, Huawei South Africa.
“Runway to Railway began with a belief that Africa’s progress depends on the connections we make between people, industries and ideas,” said Hecart. “We are pleased to announce the Runway to Railway Expo for November 2027. Our ambition is to bring the people shaping transport, infrastructure and technology together with investors and creative businesses to explore practical solutions and build partnerships that move Africa forward.”
The Expo is being developed as a meeting place for aviation, rail, logistics, infrastructure, technology, tourism and design professionals, alongside investors and public-sector stakeholders. Partners can expect opportunities to showcase their capabilities and connect with potential collaborators. Attendees can look forward to discovering innovations, exchanging ideas and exploring how better connected infrastructure can support African business and communities.
Anna K Hecart, Founder and Director of Connected Group and visionary behind Runway to Railway, addresses the gathering.
The infrastructure conversation brought the airport development perspective together with the technology expertise of BCX and Huawei. It considered how closer collaboration can support better passenger experiences, reliable operations and the practical delivery of connected infrastructure.
“The decisions that shape a passenger’s journey are made across many different organisations,” said Ackerman. “Bringing developers, operators and technology partners together early helps us see how those decisions fit together and where collaboration can make infrastructure work better.”
“An airport is part of a much wider economic network,” said Ferguson. “Its development needs to consider how people arrive, how businesses connect and how the surrounding region benefits. Innovation should support that wider purpose while making the everyday experience more efficient and welcoming.”
“The value of connected infrastructure lies in what it enables people and businesses to do,” said Motlekar. “Reliable networks, secure systems and useful information need to work together. Planning these capabilities from the outset helps organisations improve services and respond as demand changes.”
Gavin Rajah delivered the closing remarks, extending the conversation to the quality and character of retail experiences at African airports. He highlighted the opportunity to bring greater creativity and a stronger expression of African identity into spaces that shape travellers’ first and last impressions of a destination.
“An African airport should give travellers a real sense of place,” said Rajah. “Our retail spaces can do far more to showcase the continent’s design, fashion, food and craft. We have the talent and the stories. The opportunity is to present them with imagination and the quality they deserve, while creating space for African creative businesses to grow.”
Gavin Rajah, closing speaker, addresses creativity and African identity in the airport experience.
Event photographs
The Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure panel at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
An exchange during the infrastructure panel discussion.
A panellist contributes to the infrastructure discussion.
An on-stage presentation during Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests exchange ideas during the luncheon at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests follow the programme at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests seated during the event programme.
A guest listens during the luncheon.
Guests in conversation during the event.
Networking at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests gather for a photograph at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests connect outside the event venue.
Conversations continue between programme sessions.
A conversation during the event reception.
A conversation at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
*All photographs featured in this article were captured by: Elvis Nyelenzi
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