South Africa puts logistics at the heart of economic recovery
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
The South African government is making logistics infrastructure reform a central pillar of economic recovery, with changes involving ports and specialised skills. The medium-term budget also focuses on private investment and structural reforms, according to Khululekani Mathe in TimesLIVE.
For TimesLIVE, South Africa’s economic recovery depends in particular on a rapid improvement in logistics, after several years of deterioration in rail freight and port infrastructure. The media outlet notes that stabilisation of the debt-to-GDP ratio at 78.4% and the primary budget surplus are positive signs for the recovery.
TimesLIVE highlights the creation of the Durban Gateway Terminal (DGT), resulting from a 25-year partnership between Transnet, the South African state-owned transport and logistics company, and International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), an international terminal operator. The partnership has been operational since January 2026, based on an initial investment of about 10.5 billion rand, and is expected to increase private participation in the management of logistics infrastructure.
The media outlet also notes proposed reforms to port governance and the visa system for specialised skills. It attributes the stabilisation of the logistics network to cooperation between the government and businesses, after President Cyril Ramaphosa made the sector a priority in 2023 with the National Logistics Crisis Committee.
