There are 54 independent sovereign states in the continent so the scope is huge for big trading nations to enhance their exports
Once Africa was called ‘dark continent’ but now it has been on road to progress. Though still many countries have been fighting wars or witnessing civil unrest but things have improved a lot. Trade of this continent with the rest of the world is increasing and cargo to Africa from UK also showing a reasonable increase in volume.
There are 54 independent sovereign states in the continent so the
scope is huge for big trading nations to enhance their exports to these
countries. Peace is key to stability and progress and with time disputes are
being resolved so that people of this continent may witness progress and enjoy
prosperity.
The total population of these 54 countries and 2 disputed territories almost equal to the most populated country in the world. So, such a huge market has great potential. The major part of the UK exports to this continent is for South Africa. The country exports goods of $2.7 billion in 2018 to this single African country.
The United Kingdom is keen to revamp its trade relations with the whole world after taking the big step of leaving the European Union. At UK Africa summit, Boris Johnson expressed high hopes regarding trade between the UK and Africa. Other European countries also have strong trade ties with this continent as they also realize, how big market it is.
In fact other European Nations are ahead of the UK. This is why after Brexit UK has an uphill task to prove the decision right. At the summit, the premier welcomed leaders from 20 African countries, gathered in London.
He assures them that African countries also have opportunities before them to export to the UK, so it will be two way traffic rather than just exports from the UK to African nations.
UK Cargo Companies Will Get More Business for This Route
Transportation of goods to and from Africa is carried out through sea and air routes. Sea cargo to Africa reaches on different ports in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. These ports are dispersed throughout the continent and some of them are quite important.
Twenty seven European countries collectively outdo other countries in exports to this continent and the UK is far behind in this regard. With a well thought out policy, United Kingdom can improve trade volume over the coming years. Relaxation in trade policy also lets people to shift to this untapped market.
Holding summits, establishing forums and joint working groups can be helpful to devise a comprehensive plan to beat the competitors. Presently the UK has failed to offer something very lucrative to African nations to shift their interests from their present trade partners towards the UK.
Apart from trade, there are many investment opportunities present
in Africa and UK can win political influence through identifying projects of
mutual benefits and making an investment in them. The United Kingdom is giving
due importance to trade with Africa, which will ultimately benefit cargo
companies either involved in ocean cargo or air cargo.
Boris Johnson left the World Economic Forum to join UK Africa trade development event. Small individual parcels and envelopes carrying documents also booked by courier companies for Africa from the UK. But this usual activity makes little of the total volume.
Presently the UK has signed new trade deals with 13 African countries
The UK has to show the difference between pre and post Brexit policies towards African trade otherwise all efforts in this regard could not bring desired fruit. Air cargo to Africa consists of valuable goods and urgent documents. A big volume of goods foes does not allow their transportation through expensive air cargo option.
Presently the UK has signed new trade deals with 13 African countries of the continent but without any major difference to the pre-Brexit trade deals with these nations. Blocs of countries present in Africa like the Southern African Customs Union can be tackled with extra relaxation so that bigger chunks can be taken off the market.
Many African countries once colonies of Britain so relations with these nations are centuries old and United Kingdom can persuade them to change trade by offering better access to UK markets. Competition is tough as many big trade nations and the European Union has already settled in these markets and competing for more share.
More trade means more cargo activity either by the ocean or air. Air cargo volume has increased manifold in recent decades and thus industry as adopted many changes.
The whole continent is connected through land
All trading nations want to keep increasing volume of trade and in
this effort cargo activity boosts. Development of African seaports and airports
is necessary to continue with this increase. The whole continent is connected
through a land so reaching goods to one destination means it can be dispersed
throughout the continent.
Building new airports are time taking process so in the meantime land connectivity can be used to reach other countries. Many African airlines are in a position to build their cargo freight carriers or enhance its strength. China is a big trade reality of world so Kenya airlines are pondering to include more planes for this destination.
Now a day Covid 19 vaccine is being delivered through cargo planes and temperature maintainability is key for this purpose. Delivery of the same by Ethiopia Airline has recently been cried out.
