Track: Logistics Management

Abstract

Inbound logistics is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Uganda. The World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is a well-established international logistics benchmarking study, but does not offer context or specifics of problems faced by importers in Africa. For this research, we adopt a case study approach on a large Singapore-headquartered distributor with significant operating experience in Africa. The case company distributes consumer electronics from principals in East Asia to countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Semi-structured interviews of local managers based in 9 sub-Saharan African countries and the headquarters in Singapore were conducted in late 2017. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Our findings indicate that bureaucracy & customs clearance, corruption, poor transport infrastructure, port congestion, and lack of IT systems are common recurring themes among respondents interviewed. However, while Africa is often seen as a contiguous market, logistics challenges are highly diverse within the continent and do not necessarily correlate with LPI country scores. Moreover, due to practical realities and infrastructure constraints, optimal freight movements during last-mile deliveries sometimes transcend international boundary considerations. These findings have implications for researchers and policy-makers studying logistics performance in emerging African markets.