Securing Africa’s Economic Arteries: A Prerequisite for Intra-African Trade to Thrive

By Danilo Desiderio

Two months ago, we highlighted the growing security challenges confronting businesses in Ethiopia, particularly those operating along trade routes plagued by internal conflict. Citing a report from Semafor, we noted how truck drivers are increasingly being targeted for ransom – a problem that is far from unique to Ethiopia.

Across the continent, countries like South Africa also struggle with persistent road-related crimes, including truck hijackings and cargo theft. As we previously argued, political instability and high crime rates create an environment of uncertainty that deters both local and foreign investment – an obstacle to economic development that cannot be ignored.

For intra-African trade to flourish, securing key transportation corridors must become a top priority.

Yet, the consequences extend beyond lost investment. These same security threats significantly inflate transportation costs, undermining the efficiency of regional trade networks.

The Rising Cost of Insecurity

In regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Guinea – areas beset by armed conflict, banditry, terrorism, and piracy – transportation and trade expenses remain disproportionately high. These rising costs stem from several interrelated factors:

• Increased Security Demands: Transporters must often invest in additional security measures, including armed escorts, to protect goods from theft or violence.
• Logistical Disruptions: Frequent route changes, roadblocks, and border closures – often imposed by governments in response to emerging security threats – cause delays and inefficiencies that drive up operational costs.
• Elevated Insurance Premiums: Insurers charge higher rates in high-risk zones to offset the increased likelihood of hijackings, theft, or damage to cargo.

The situation remains dire. According to a recent report by The Reporter Ethiopia, at least 32 truck drivers have been abducted over the past two weeks alone on dangerous routes in the conflict-ridden Amhara region.

The Tana Transporters Association, which provided this data, warns that the trend shows no sign of abating.

Africa’s vast economic potential cannot be realized without first laying the groundwork for stability and security. Therefore, building and maintaining secure trade corridors is not merely a logistical concern – it is a strategic imperative.

As a result, many drivers have altered their routines – avoiding travel after dark and opting for longer, safer – but more costly – routes to bypass illegal checkpoints where they risk losing their vehicles, cargo, or even their lives. These detours lead to higher fuel consumption and increased vehicle maintenance costs, further straining an already fragile transport sector.

Toward a Safer, More Connected Africa

These disruptions paint a clear picture: insecurity is not just a threat to human safety – it is a major impediment to economic growth and regional integration across Africa.

For intra-African trade to flourish, securing key transportation corridors must become a top priority. Without safe and reliable roads, trade will continue to stall, supply chains will remain inefficient, and the cost of doing business will remain prohibitively high.

Africa’s vast economic potential cannot be realized without first laying the groundwork for stability and security. When traders face daily risks of abduction, robbery, or sabotage, and when businesses contend with unpredictable disruptions and soaring insurance costs, the foundation of a thriving economy begins to crumble.

Therefore, building and maintaining secure trade corridors is not merely a logistical concern – it is a strategic imperative. Only by ensuring the safety of these vital arteries can African nations hope to deepen regional integration, attract critical investment, and build a more prosperous and interconnected continent.

Danilo Desiderio serves as the CEO of Desiderio Consultants Ltd in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in African customs, trade, and transport policies. He is a customs and trade expert at the World Bank and a senior associate to the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI).