Rising online orders and regional trade are increasing demand for connected logistics systems, real-time visibility and more flexible fulfilment.
Africa’s Digital Supply Chains Expanding
Africa’s expanding e-commerce market and anticipated growth in regional trade are increasing pressure on logistics operators to build more connected digital supply chains. Growing order volumes, increasingly complex distribution networks and higher customer expectations are making visibility, fulfilment speed and operational efficiency more important across logistics networks.
E-Commerce Raises Fulfilment Demands
FurtherAfrica, citing Statista projections, estimates that Africa’s e-commerce market could grow from $40.49bn in 2025 to $56.03bn by 2029. The US International Trade Administration has also described the continent’s e-commerce market as steadily growing as internet penetration continues to rise, with mobile devices accounting for 69% of African web traffic in 2021.
Growth is not expected to be uniform. Internet access, banking penetration, delivery infrastructure and consumer behaviour vary between markets, while online payments remain a constraint in several countries. However, rising online orders are increasing demand for faster, more flexible fulfilment and better visibility.
AfCFTA Could Reshape Regional Logistics
The World Bank estimates that deeper implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area could increase intra-African exports by 109% by 2035, while South Africa’s intra-African exports could rise by 61%.
Greater trade volumes would require logistics networks to manage differing order origins, destinations and levels of urgency, potentially combining business-to-business deliveries, e-commerce parcels, store replenishment and time-sensitive orders across multiple facilities and transport partners.
Manual Systems Face Growing Pressure
As distribution networks become more complex, disconnected systems can create operational weaknesses. Stock discrepancies can affect product availability, slow processing can delay dispatch, and incomplete information can make route planning less reliable.
Integrated digital systems can narrow these gaps by allowing inventory, order, transport and delivery information to move between platforms. This can support vehicle allocation, route planning, replenishment decisions and earlier identification of operational exceptions.
Strong Demand for Connected Systems
Global Market Insights’ research into logistics automation highlights demand for real-time inventory information, faster order processing, automated sorting and systems capable of supporting same-day or next-day delivery expectations. Its analysis also points to demand for cloud-based systems that can integrate with other platforms and scale as volumes change.
A number of African companies are developing technology aimed at automating and digitising logistics operations. Kenya-based Leta provides an AI-powered logistics platform that automates and optimizes delivery operations. Its technology supports route planning, dispatch, real-time tracking and delivery management, helping businesses manage increasingly complex distribution networks.
South African PBSA offers a range of services based around warehouse and intralogistics automation. Its solutions include autonomous mobile robots, automated sortation, pallet shuttles and warehouse management technology, supporting faster inventory movement and order fulfilment.
Senegal-founded Logidoo operates a technology-enabled logistics platform focused on cross-border trade. The company provides logistics solutions designed to support transportation, inventory management and distribution for businesses, with services including freight transportation, warehousing, real-time tracking and wider supply-chain management.
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