News / Lack of digital customs clearance hobbling Africa's ecommerce boom

© Vadym Medvediev

Africa is experiencing a surge in ecommerce demand – and in the next four years, more than 150m people in the continent will be ordering online, it is predicted.

This marks an annual growth rate of 10.4%, as internet and mobile usage, as well as digital payment methods, increase. 

There could also be ecommerce platforms and freighter-operating airlines looking for new markets resulting from the new US trade strategy. 

But there are, inevitably, challenges; in particular, customs clearance, a process which continues to impede efficiency, trade flow, and economic growth in the continent.

Industry leaders argue that air freight should be synonymous with speed, but cumbersome regulatory processes often slow things down, leaving carriers and shippers frustrated. 

“The problem isn’t foreign competition,” Hardus Kushke, Airlink’s executive manager for cargo in South Africa, told The Loadstar. “What’s holding everyone back is the legacy of inefficient customs systems that are still reliant on paper documents.”  

He believes that, if African governments are truly committed to enhancing trade and building competitive economies, they must urgently force transition to digital documentation.

“Many customs authorities still require physical paperwork, which causes bottlenecks and backlogs,” he added. 

Airlink, which partners with more than 30 foreign carriers, sees itself as a “collaborator in the broader ecosystem”; and Mr Kushke is vocal about structural issues that prevent growth.  

“We see shiny new terminals being built, but the cargo facilities often lag behind,” he said. “By allowing expert ground handlers to guide and advise on ground operations, we anticipate improved customs and clearing times, and better safety and security protocols implemented.” 

Mr Kushke says this disconnect is especially acute in the context of Africa’s ecommerce surge. On niche routes like St Helena and destinations in Mozambique, ecommerce shipments have become essential. However, he noted that Airlink lacked the capacity for large-volume shipments, stating that it wasn’t just about moving boxes. 

“It’s about whether the airports, customs systems, and ground logistics providers are equipped to support the pace and scale of commerce.” 

Some countries, however, are taking action to streamline processes. In Kenya, Jack Bwana, commercial manager cargo at Kenya Airports Authority, offered a markedly different picture.  

“Kenya has no issues with customs clearance,” he claimed. “We’ve had pre-arrival clearance for several years, and the integrated customs management system has significantly reduced dwell times at airports.” 

According to Mr Bwana, Kenya’s fast-evolving digital space is supporting a smoother flow of air cargo, particularly in time-sensitive verticals like ecommerce.  

“Speed is the value proposition here,” he said. “And our digital backbone is key to sustaining that.” 

Yet, despite success stories like Kenya, progress remains patchy across the continent. Inconsistent procedures, opaque tariffs, and bureaucratic trade barriers inflate costs and cause delays. And these non-tariff barriers remain one of the greatest threats to Africa’s air cargo potential, said said Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa.

“There is a concerted effort to remove these administrative blockages,”  he said and highlighted continent-wide initiatives like IATA’s One Record project and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 flagship efforts – specifically the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Some countries have even granted 7th-freedom traffic rights to cargo carriers, which is unprecedented,” Mr Munetsi added.  

Still, removal of tariffs and harmonisation of customs standards have been slow. 

“But there is momentum,” he added, specifically, the reduction or removal of certain tariffs on goods produced within Africa.  

“We’re seeing a real increase in regional cooperation, which is vital if we’re going to unlock the benefits of intra-African trade.” 

Digitalisation and data security are also rising on the agenda, particularly as stakeholders such as Kale Logistics roll out integrated cargo community systems.

In Mozambique, where the company is deploying its airport cargo community system, Kale co-founder Vineet Malhotra emphasised the role of advanced technologies.  

“We’re leveraging AI, blockchain, and IoT. Sensitive customs and finance data are protected with multi-layered security frameworks, including full encryption, token-based API authentication, and real-time anomaly detection.” 

Logistaas software is used by freight forwarders in 23 African countries, with localised integration in place, including customs systems in South Africa and Egypt, and e-invoicing links with tax authorities in several others, according to CEO and co-founder Kareem Naouri. 

He said freight forwarders in Africa faced unique challenges, prompting Logistaas to enhance its customs and cross-border modules to handle the complex clearance processes, as several countries use ports of other countries as their main entry and exit points.  

He added that, since many global forwarders relied on local agents rather than their own offices, integration with the various transport management systems was often essential.