The changing structure of transport under trade liberalisation and globalization and its impact on African development

This article exlores the recent mainstream renaissance in interest into transport and logistics issues. The article suggests that these have become an increasingly important element in the organisation and restructuring of the globalizing economy. The article indicates that:

• from being an external factor of location transport and communication have become an integrated part of the production and distribution system
• the structures of transportation and production are highly interdependent, not at the level of individual investments but at a broader national, international and global systemic level
• the rapid restructuring of the global transport system taking place at present is likely to make a profound impact on the processes of globalization

The article looks at what changes have occured in Africa within the area of logistics and tranport. This includes: intercontinental transport (shipping, air transport); intra-African trade; rural transport.