FREIGHT logistics professionals in the country have been urged to utilise effectively the 5th edition of the 2024 Global Logistics Convention scheduled to start from 14th to 16th this month, by getting exposed to best practices in sustainable logistics.

The GLC dubbed: ‘Africa’s Supply Chain and Logistics industry in the age of sustainability’ is an annual freight logistics convention of the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) expected to bring together over 500 freight logistics industry experts from across the globe.  

Edward Urio, Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA) President, made the call in Dar es Salaam as he briefed journalists underlining that the convention will seek to explore opportunities for building capacity of supply chain and logistics industry to transition and adopt sustainable logistics.

“Logistics actors have an important role in the transition to a decarbonised future. This is what GLC 2024 intends to unlock. It will therefore be an opportunity to raise awareness, take stock of the global developments, and the progress Africa and especially the EAC region has made, highlight the impediments, and forge a way forward,” he said.

He further said that convention will also provide a platform for Business -to-Business matchmaking. Create awareness, advocate and benchmark recommended practices in sustainable logistics, finance, technology and capacity building solutions for Africa’s transport and logistics industry.

Andrew Magombana, acting assistant director in the Ministry of Transport pledged the government’s full support upon the convention as it has for long shown its dedication in the transport sector.

“The government’s completion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train is the culmination of a vision that spans political, economic and international dimensions, aimed at shaping the transport sector.” said Magombana.

According to him, the bold government’s move on revamping Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has shown the its ambitious plans to develop a vibrant and robust aviation sector.

He added: “I urge all stakeholders participation in the upcoming Global Logistics Convention that will provide an opportunity for the industry to engage on contemporary industry matters and developments such as financing and insurance for transport and logistics.

Beatrice Jairo, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) representative said GLC provides an opportunity that will provide global networking; a platform for logistics professionals to network with industry leaders, potential clients, investors, and partners from diverse geographical regions.

She further added that the platform will provide a marketing intelligence opportunity in gathering and analyzing the missing actual data that will uncover key insights in improving supply chain and logistics.

 The Convention has been held successfully in four EAC countries, first in 2017 in Tanzania, 2018 in Uganda, 2019 in Rwanda and 2023 in Kenya.

The Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) is a region- al private sector apex body of the Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding (CFA) industry in East Africa representing over 2500 CFA firms. The Federation aims to promote a professional freight logistics industry for trade facilitation and regional economic growth.