Project preparation and adapting to global technological change are now at the top of Africa’s transport agenda, as the continent’s population is expected to double by 2050, reaching 2.5 billion.

According to the African Ports and Rail Evolution Forum, growing populations create an increasing demand for transport infrastructure because efficient and cost-effective transport infrastructure remains an essential cornerstone for any country’s economic development.

The forum said, Africa’s diaspora is not an exception to this rule.

“Providing impetus to this growing demand is the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), which is predicted to increase intra-African trade over the next 5 years by as much as 52% (a value of US $35 billion). Africa’s ports and rail authorities are reprioritising their expansion projects in response to this exciting development,” said the forum in a statement.

Against this backdrop, the 7^th annual African Ports and Rail Evolution forum and exhibition, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority, will unite Africa’s leading ports and rail authorities in Durban, South Africa on 2 and 3 October 2018 for a collaborative approach to determining the scale of planned development to maximize connectivity and speed up Africa’s economic transformation.

“The ports are a gateway into our continent.  We need to build the necessary infrastructure and manage them efficiently so that we can confidently compete with the World and claim our space,” said Shulami Qalinge, Chief Executive, South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority.

Confirmed stakeholders participating in the collaborative think-tank discussions include but are not limited to:

• Nigerian Railway Corporation
• TransNamib Holdings Ltd
• Namport
• Kenya Ports Authority
• Gautrain Management Company

Alongside these strategic discussions, an interactive exhibition provides extended networking and commercial opportunities for the 2 500 transport professionals expected to attend.

Resilience, agility and adaptability play a critical role for the future of Africa’s transport infrastructure especially as innovative technologies usher in the 4^th industrial revolution.

The 7^th annual African Ports and Rail Evolution initiative is this year’s essential platform to promote public and private sector communication and collaboration towards the common goal of an integrated, connected Africa.

Co-located with Trade and Investment Kwazulu-Natal’s Export Week, Mobility Centre Africa’s Future Mobility Africa, as well as Gautrain Management Company’s Gautrain Leadership Train, this platform will provide a comprehensive approach to inducting Africa’s transport 4.0 strategy.