Transport and Logistics Trends in South Africa 2025

This report on transport and logistics trends in South Africa includes information on key trends in the country’s transport and logistics sectors. It includes the activities of Transnet, which is responsible for most of the country’s rail and port infrastructure and operations, and logistics providers. The report provides information on the logistics environment and infrastructure, and indications of the size of the sector including transport GDP and growth prospects, logistics sector performance, port activity and air transport.

The report examines major trends such as opening transport infrastructure to private operators, the shift from road to rail, and border post modernisation and regional trade facilitation. Other major trends under discussion are ecommerce and logistics digitisation, cold storage logistics demand, consolidation, geopolitical disruptions and route diversions, and major challenges. As this is a special trends report, it does not include company profiles. These can be found in reports on the underlying industries covered in this report.

Introduction

• South Africa’s transport and logistics sector plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth, facilitating trade, and connecting communities.
• The country has a well-developed multimodal infrastructure network, including road, rail, port and air.
• Years of underinvestment, operational inefficiencies, and maladministration have undermined the transport system, prompting a renewed focus on sector reform.
• The government is exploring private sector participation in rail freight and passenger rail.

Market Outlook

• Supported by strategic reforms, infrastructure investment, and regional trade expansion, South Africa’s transport and logistics sector is on track for growth.
• Key targets include shifting freight onto rail to reduce road congestion and upgrading port operations.
• Airport passenger volumes are expected to more than double by 2030, while airfreight is expected to increase.
• The broader logistics sector is forecast to expand at over 6% annually, supported by greater private sector participation.
• National policy reforms aim to restore rail as the backbone of the logistics system and boost the competitiveness of all modes of transportation.