Why are transport costs in Africa among the highest in the world?

[MontySpear]

Some of the factors contributing to the high costs of transporting into Southern Africa are the distances, condition of the roads, border fees and the cost and availability of fuel. The maintenance costs on your truck tractors and trailer equipment is generally a higher. One has to always have contingencies in place for the unforeseen. It is not as simple as calling out your local truck dealer’s emergency break down team as we can do here in South Africa. If you breakdown in the middle of Angola, you’re pretty much on your own. So you need to provide the means of retrieving your trucks, or getting workshop mechanics up there. A lack of return load cargo from some of the countries is also a factor accounting for higher transport costs. Angola is a prime example of the one way traffic situation.

 

[Mike007]

All very true but are you on the right forum. Thought provoking stuff but possibly wrongly placed.