On a map, regional trade looks straightforward. South Africa shares borders with six neighbouring countries, while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) connects businesses across a market of hundreds of millions of people. Moving goods across the region should, in theory, be one of the easiest ways for businesses to grow.

The reality is often far more complicated.

Getting a truck from Johannesburg to Gaborone or Lusaka involves much more than covering the distance. Border procedures, customs requirements, road infrastructure and transport delays all influence how quickly goods reach their destination. For many businesses, crossing a border remains one of the least predictable parts of the journey.

The Border Is Often Where Momentum Slows

A truck arriving at a border post isn’t necessarily close to completing its journey. Depending on the route, drivers can spend hours, and sometimes longer, waiting for documentation to be processed, inspections to be completed or traffic to clear.

Those delays don’t just affect delivery schedules. Vehicles remain out of service for longer, transport costs increase and businesses lose flexibility when responding to customer demand.

For companies managing time-sensitive goods or tightly planned delivery schedules, a delay at the border can quickly affect the rest of the supply chain.

Every Border Brings Different Requirements

Moving freight between countries also means navigating different customs procedures, import regulations and documentation requirements.

While many businesses work with experienced freight forwarders and customs clearing agents, cross-border trade still requires careful planning. A missing document, an incorrect tariff code or an unexpected regulatory requirement can delay an entire shipment.

As companies expand into regional markets, understanding these operational differences becomes just as important as understanding the customers they’re supplying.

Infrastructure Doesn’t End at the Port

South Africa has one of the region’s most developed logistics networks, but regional trade depends on much more than local infrastructure.

Road conditions, rail connectivity, border facilities and transport corridors all influence how efficiently goods move once they leave the country. A well-managed warehouse or an efficient port operation means little if the next stage of the journey becomes a bottleneck.

That’s why logistics businesses are increasingly looking beyond individual facilities and considering the performance of the entire transport corridor.

Opportunity Doesn’t Stop at the Border

There’s no shortage of opportunity for businesses looking beyond South Africa’s borders. Regional trade continues to grow, and agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are helping create a stronger foundation for doing business across the continent.

The bigger challenge is making those opportunities work in practice. A trade agreement may make it easier to do business on paper, but goods still need to clear borders, travel along reliable transport corridors and arrive on time. That’s where logistics becomes the difference between opportunity and reality.

Regional trade will continue to evolve, but one thing is unlikely to change. Businesses will always depend on supply chains that can move goods across borders efficiently, consistently and with as few delays as possible.

Two leaders at global logistics pioneer DP World are announced as keynote speakers for the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) African Cold Chain Conference in Johannesburg, taking place September 2-3, 2026.

DP World operates in every continent of the globe, employing more than 126,000 people from 169 nationalities, powering international trade through a range of solutions including cold chain logistics across ocean, air, road and rail. William Sears, Chief Commercial Officer Logistics for Africa at DP World; and Mohammed Mahomedy, Head of Infrastructure and Rail for Africa at DP World, will take to the conference main stage on September 3 to share their insights into DP World’s approach to integrated logistics at scale in practice.

• William Sears has over 20 years’ experience in logistics and supply chain optimisation across a range of industries and disciplines. Having joined South African logistics business Imperial in 2010, William was appointed to DP World leadership following Imperial’s acquisition by the global business in 2022.
• Mohammed Mahomedy leads DP World’s development of the company’s rail and ports integration strategy across the African continent. He is responsible for identifying strategic opportunities that support the expansion of DP World’s presence across the broader logistics value chain in line with its long-term objectives in Africa.

The GCCA African Cold Chain Conference will bring together temperature-controlled logistics businesses and partners from across the continent to examine the industry’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities, exploring the theme of ‘It’s Time for Dialogue: Exploring Progress, Priorities, and Partnerships’. The event includes an outstanding program of renowned speakers, panel discussions, networking receptions and a high-quality exhibition. Find out more and register at www.gcca.org/events/gcca-african-cold-chain-conference.  

GCCA Senior Vice President Global Market Engagement Adam Thocher said: “I am delighted that DP World’s William Sears and Mohammed Mahomedy will be sharing their insights and experiences on the crucial topic of integrated logistics at scaleas the keynote speakers at the 2026 GCCA African Cold Chain Conference. Temperature-controlled logistics operations are expanding throughout the continent:connecting Africa’s cold chain and investing in associated infrastructure will be fundamental to Africa’s future food resilience and global trade opportunities. The GCCA conference is creating a unique forum for cold chain operators and partners to discuss the food supply chain’s challenges and opportunities at national and global levels.”

The two DP World leaders will be joining an outstanding line-up of expert speakers at the conference, including:

• Brent Melvin (General Manager RSA Logistics Dubai) sharing experiences of the cold chain’s response to extreme disruption in the Middle East
• Dr. John Deng Diar Diing (Executive Secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority), discussing regional corridors as catalysts for intra-African trade
• Dr. Newton Matope (CEO of Cold Solutions Kenya and GCCA Africa Chairman), exploring the temperature-controlled logistics industry in the continent, and
• Sara Stickler (President & CEO, GCCA) and Adam Thocher (Senior Vice President, Global Market Engagement, GCCA) on GCCA’s priorities and action in Africa.

Find out more about the GCCA African Cold Chain Conference 2026 at www.gcca.org/events/gcca-african-cold-chain-conference/

Mohammed Mahomedy Head of Rail and Infrastructure for Africa at DP World

William Searss, Chief Commercial Officer Logistics Africa, DP World

Walk into two warehouses of a similar size and, at first glance, they may look much the same. The shelving is in place, forklifts are moving and orders are being prepared for dispatch. Spend a little more time on the floor, however, and the differences quickly become apparent. One warehouse operates with purpose, while the other is constantly working to recover from delays, misplaced stock and bottlenecks.

Efficiency isn’t simply about moving faster. It’s about creating an environment where people, processes and technology work together to keep goods moving consistently from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. As supply chains become more complex and customer expectations continue to grow, an efficient warehouse has become one of the strongest assets a business can have.

Good Warehouse Design Reduces Unnecessary Movement

Every extra step inside a warehouse takes time. When employees have to travel long distances to retrieve stock or forklifts regularly cross paths with picking teams, productivity quickly starts to suffer.

An efficient warehouse is designed to keep movement to a minimum. Receiving areas, storage locations, picking zones and dispatch bays are arranged to support the natural flow of goods through the facility. The goal isn’t to rush people from one task to the next. It’s to remove the obstacles that slow them down in the first place.

Knowing Where Stock Is Matters

Most warehouse delays don’t start when an order is placed. They begin much earlier, when inventory records don’t match what’s actually sitting on the shelves.

Having an accurate view of stock allows warehouse teams to pick orders with confidence, replenish inventory before shortages occur and avoid unnecessary delays. Barcode scanning, warehouse management systems and regular stock checks all help create a clearer picture of what’s happening inside the warehouse, making it easier to plan ahead instead of constantly reacting to problems.

Experienced Teams Keep Operations Running

Technology has changed the way warehouses operate, but it hasn’t changed the importance of the people working inside them. Experienced warehouse teams know how to manage busy periods, solve unexpected problems and keep orders moving when the day doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Clear processes, ongoing training and good communication often make a bigger difference than people realise. Even the most advanced warehouse systems rely on teams using them effectively, which is why investing in people remains just as important as investing in equipment.

Technology Supports Better Decisions

Warehouse technology has come a long way over the past decade. What was once used primarily to record stock movements is now helping businesses understand how their operations perform throughout the day.

Warehouse management systems, real-time reporting and automated data collection give managers better visibility across the facility. Instead of waiting for problems to appear, they can identify congestion, monitor inventory trends and make informed decisions that keep operations running smoothly.

A Warehouse Is Only One Part of the Journey

An efficient warehouse doesn’t just improve what happens inside its own walls. It helps trucks load on time, orders reach customers sooner and the wider supply chain run more smoothly. That’s why warehouse efficiency is about more than storage or speed. It’s about creating an operation that businesses can rely on, even when the day doesn’t go exactly to plan.