• Middle East emerging as a South–South logistics hub: Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are increasingly serving as key transit points connecting Sub-Saharan Africa to global markets, enabling faster access for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce shipments.
• Cold chain and digitalisation driving efficiency: Investments in climate-controlled facilities and digital systems for tracking, customs clearance, and documentation ensure uninterrupted cold chains, preserving freshness and compliance for sensitive cargo like vaccines and horticultural exports.
• Challenges and strategic partnerships: High operating costs, infrastructure gaps, and protectionist policies remain obstacles, but carriers like Qatar Airways Cargo leverage regional partnerships, equity stakes, and liberalisation initiatives to unlock underserved routes and strengthen South–South trade flows.

From Nairobi to Lagos, exporters are increasingly looking north to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, where investments in logistics infrastructure are turning the region into a vital link between Sub-Saharan Africa and global markets. Cold chain reliability, digitalisation, and regional partnerships are reshaping how goods move across borders. Yet high operating costs, infrastructure gaps, and protectionist trade policies continue to challenge the seamless flow of goods.

The region’s transformation into a global logistics crossroads is not only about geography but about the speed at which it adapts to demand in perishable food, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce. As Mark Drusch, chief officer cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo, explains, “The Middle East plays a vital role in the movement of fresh produce from Africa, and maintaining an unbroken cold chain during transit is critical.”

The perishable surge

The flow of temperature-sensitive cargo such as vaccines, medicines, and horticultural exports is pushing Middle Eastern hubs to invest heavily in climate-controlled facilities. The ability to guarantee uninterrupted cold chain links has become a competitive advantage.

“Significant progress has been made in enhancing cold chain capabilities, supported by excellent connectivity to key markets across the region,” Drusch notes. This connectivity means goods such as Kenyan flowers, Ethiopian vegetables, or South African citrus can reach European or Asian shelves within hours, maintaining freshness and value.

For pharmaceuticals, the stakes are even higher. With many African nations depending on imports of life-saving drugs, reliable transit hubs are essential. “Through our hub in Doha, we offer state-of-the-art climate control facilities designed to handle temperature-sensitive shipments such as pharmaceutical and perishables,” Drusch explains.

But challenges persist at the African end of the supply chain. Many airport terminals remain under-equipped, particularly for handling perishables. Drusch acknowledges the reality: “Infrastructure is acceptable in most of the facilities where we operate, but there is room for improvement – particularly in handling temperature-sensitive cargo.”

This is where digitalisation comes into play. Streamlined systems for documentation, customs clearance, and tracking reduce delays and protect cargo integrity. “Digitalisation is a key enabler to enhance customer experience and expedite shipment processing at both origin and destination,” says Drusch.

The perishable surge

While Africa’s export potential is strong, the cost of moving goods by air remains one of the continent’s biggest hurdles. “Taxes on fuel and aviation services remain among the highest globally, and lower the value proposition of air cargo,” says Drusch. For many exporters, these additional costs erode margins and limit competitiveness.

Infrastructure and equipment shortages add further complications, particularly at secondary airports. Inconsistent quality in cargo handling, storage, and ground services means carriers must conduct thorough assessments before committing to routes. “We uphold the highest operational standards and conduct thorough technical evaluations of the facilities to ensure they meet our requirements,” Drusch notes.

Geopolitical risks also weigh heavily. Conflict zones, shifting alliances, and protectionist policies create uncertainty. “Non-tariff barriers, complex customs procedures, and protectionist trade policies can hinder the seamless flow of goods and inflate the cost of air cargo,” he says.

The regulatory divide between anglophone and francophone African states adds another layer of complexity. Interestingly, Drusch suggests these differences are less disruptive than might be expected. “We comply with all local regulations and customs requirements in the markets we serve. At present, these differences have not posed any challenges to our network planning.”

Still, the combination of high operating costs and political uncertainty forces carriers to adapt. Strategic partnerships and bilateral initiatives are increasingly used to unlock underserved routes. Drusch points to one such example: “Our 25 percent stake in South Africa’s Airlink airline provides access to over 45 destinations in the region. This is complemented by a strategic partnership with Kenya Airways, planned equity participation in RwandAir and Rwanda’s upcoming new airport, and further investments across Southern Africa.”

By bypassing traditional European gateways, the Middle East is positioning itself as a South–South logistics connector, linking Africa directly with Latin America and Southeast Asia. “These initiatives, alongside regional liberalisation efforts like SAATM, position Doha as a pivotal South–South logistics hub,” Drusch explains.

The perishable surge

FROM Nairobi to Lagos, exporters are increasingly looking north to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, where investments in logistics infrastructure are turning the region into a vital link between Sub-Saharan Africa and global markets. Cold chain reliability, digitalisation, and regional partnerships are reshaping how goods move across borders. Yet high operating costs, infrastructure gaps, and protectionist trade policies continue to challenge the seamless flow of goods.

The region’s transformation into a global logistics crossroads is not only about geography but about the speed at which it adapts to demand in perishable food, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce. As Mark Drusch, chief officer cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo, explains, “The Middle East plays a vital role in the movement of fresh produce from Africa, and maintaining an unbroken cold chain during transit is critical.”