From the end of 2019, as the Covid-19 virus began to spread, countries have implemented various mitigating measures. These vary across countries and include short-term shutting-down of most domestic economic activities, border closures, and testing certification procedures for cross-border transporters.

These restrictions have a significant and often negative impact on the transportation of goods and logistics. South Africa is a transit hub for the transportation of goods between African countries and also between African countries and those further afield. Covid-19 restrictions affect the transportation of goods to South Africa and transit traffic through South Africa. Border closures and delays, changes in demand and supply, and logistics problems such as container shortages and changes in shipping routes require that producers, importers, transporters, and logistic service providers rethink some trade routes.

This Trade Brief examines the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on intra-Africa transit traffic. In particular, the focus is on goods in transit through South Africa. How have Covid-19 restrictions affected the flow of transit traffic through South Africa?

Readers are encouraged to quote and reproduce this material for educational, non-profit purposes, provided the source is acknowledged. All views and opinions expressed remain solely those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views of tralac.