This is the traffic situation around the dry port in Kati north of the capital Bamako. Trucks take all the space on the road, and other traffic finds its way around the road Mali became the 5th African country on the Syncro Sally Voyage. It clearly lives up to the old saying in shipping and logistics: “Freight finds a way”. Conditions for the economy and people living in the country are not easy and moving cargo to and from the country is not something which can run like cloc

Cargo getting loaded in Ouagadougou with destination in Niger's capital Niamey Burkina Faso is one of the world’s poorest countries when seen as GDP per capita. However, it is also a country of 25 million people growing by roughly another half million people each year presently. By 2050 they are estimated to have a population of 37 million. The level of popuplation growth also means growth in cargo volumes. Sure, if people – on average – do not have much to spend, then there

Emil Lund Petersen and Tim Smith from my sponsor DSV enjoying a trip in Sally from the port in Nouakchott Mauritania is one of the world’s least populated countries. At a density of just 5 people per square kilometre there are only 9 other countries in the world with a lower population density. Not only is the population density low, but the population itself is also below 6 million people. Add to this a GDP per capita ranking amongst the world’s 50 poorest nations, and this

Starting at the border in the north with Ceuta, the journey took 4000 km through Morocco to the border with Mauretania in the middle of the Sahara Desert Having spent nearly a month in Morocco, almost 4000km on the road and meeting a range of inspiring people, I can safely say this is a great country of significant opportunity. The opportunities are for shippers, logistics providers, shipping lines and terminals alike. But what leads me to this conclusion? Let us start with s

Day 11 of the voyage and it feels like I have been gone much longer already given the many experiences and impressions I have had thus far. But the most important feeling is one of calm and relaxation. A nice routine of having plenty of time for breakfast, yet also time for early morning work. Stopping regularly to see something to avoid a day of only driving. And a relaxing late afternoon in the shade when we have found a parking spot for Sally and pulled out the awning. The

It is now day 11 of the voyage and I have entered France after visiting Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. The image is taken as I was approaching Antwerp port. In total these 4 countries are importing and exporting a total of 1.2 million TEU related to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) seen over the past 12 months. That equals more than 3300 TEU every day of the year. But the 4 countries clearly have very different relations with the SSA nations. For the combined imports,

The voyage has finally begun after 2 years of preparations. Writing this on the morning of day 4 of the voyage, everything is off to a good start. (yes I know, I risk jinxing it....). No matter how much preparation you do there will always be a bunch of unknowns you cannot prepare for. One of those is the simple matter of creating new daily routines. For example for how early you tend to get up. What is the best location for each item in the van. When and how to get some work

In 2025 the Sub-Saharan region of Africa imported 9.7 million TEU of containerized cargo. By 2050 this could increase to more than 32 million TEU. There are two elements underlying this forward projection. The first one is demographics. The African population is projected to grow from 1.5 Billion now to 2.5 Billion people in 2050. This means one additional billion people who will need food, housing, clothes, furniture etc. Furthermore they will need jobs in growing industries

Months of preparations are coming to an end and I can see the departure rapidly approaching. Preparations have been ongoing for a long time. Let me share some of the headlines of planning involved in the journey. As the journey then gets underway and routines are created and settled down through Europe, I will be sharing more details of the individual parts of the planning process. Route planning has been several years in the making. On paper I have a very detailed map with h

Africa is often seen as a land of opportunity, rich in resources and potential for growth. For supply chain professionals, understanding the intricacies of this diverse continent can lead to significant advantages in logistics, procurement, and distribution. This blog post delves into the unique challenges and opportunities that Africa presents for supply chain management, providing insights that can help professionals navigate this complex landscape. The African Landscape: A

Van life has become a popular way to explore the world, offering the freedom to roam and the comfort of home on wheels. For those considering a journey through Africa, the experience can be both exhilarating and challenging. This blog post will provide you with essential travel tips to make your African van life adventure unforgettable. Understanding the African Terrain Africa is a continent of diverse landscapes, from deserts to mountains, savannas to rainforests. Understand

Navigating the complexities of supply chains in Africa presents unique challenges and opportunities. As businesses expand into this diverse continent, understanding the local landscape becomes crucial. This blog post explores key lessons learned from real-world experiences in African supply chains, providing insights that can help organizations thrive in this dynamic environment. Understanding the Local Context Diverse Economies and Cultures Africa is not a monolith; it consi