Africa’s Trade Corridors Are Moving, But the Bottlenecks Are Real

Good Morning Africa: Global Trade Africa. Logistics, ports, customs and trade policy across the continent, week of 15 October 2026.

By Sidoman  |  Friday, 16 October 2026

Africa’s trade is growing faster than the infrastructure that moves it. Container volumes are climbing, East African ports are running close to capacity, and customs digitalisation is moving from pilot projects to rollout. At the same time, shipping disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, rising port tariffs, new pre arrival compliance rules and an uncertain US trade preference programme are testing the sector. This edition sets out what changed, what it means for importers, exporters and logistics providers, and what to check before the next booking.

Key figure	What it measures
45.45 million tonnes	Cargo handled at the Port of Mombasa in 2025, a record and up 10.9% on 2024
2.11 million TEU	Container traffic at Mombasa in 2025
15.88 million tonnes	Transit cargo for neighbouring markets via Mombasa, up 19.5%
+17.7% year on year	Sub Saharan Africa import growth in Q1 2026
+25.3% year to May	Growth in container capacity on African services, against 5.7% for the global fleet

1. The Import Surge Is Outpacing Port Capacity

The Asia to Africa trade lane is now one of the fastest growing container corridors in the world. Carriers and forwarders are expanding across the continent to capture import demand, and the response is significant.

• On 1 July 2026, 185 container ships were deployed between Asia and West Africa, with a combined capacity of 1.4 million TEU, up almost 30% on July 2025 (Journal of Commerce, 7 September 2026).
• Sub Saharan Africa’s imports grew 17.7% year on year in Q1 2026, totalling more than 2.5 million TEU (AGL, Africa Market Trends).
• Hapag-Lloyd is consolidating cargo onto fewer ships where berth access is restricted. Port capacity, not demand, is now the binding constraint.

The growth exposes weak schedule reliability. When carriers bundle volume to fit limited berth windows, importers face longer waits and less predictable delivery dates. Logistics providers should plan around port capacity, not just freight rates.

2. East African Gateways: Mombasa Is Running Hot

Mombasa’s 2025 results show how quickly demand has overtaken the infrastructure serving it. Its growth is also driving volumes deeper into the region.

• Transit cargo for Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo led the growth, reinforcing Mombasa’s role as a gateway for land linked economies across East and Central Africa.
• The Kenya Ports Authority says as many as 5,000 trucks can pass through the port each day. Automation of Gates 24 and 25, which handle an estimated 50 to 60% of port traffic, is underway to replace separate manual processes with a coordinated digital flow.
• Infrastructure work continues. The Sh8.3 billion port interchange is more than half complete and due by mid 2027, Berth 19B is under construction, and the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone has Sh74.1 billion allocated for enabling works, with more than 90 investors expressing interest.
• Lamu received the MV Baltimore Express, a 369 metre vessel and the largest to berth on the East African coast. The port logged 120 vessel calls this year, and throughput rose from 74,380 tonnes in 2024 to 799,161 tonnes in 2025.

For cargo owners, port performance is no longer measured only by vessel turnaround. Gate access, release sequencing, documentation accuracy and truck availability all affect delivery time and total landed cost. Importers should coordinate customs release, shipping line release, port payments and transport dispatch as one process.

3. Other Gateways Across the Continent

• Congo Terminal in Pointe Noire handled nearly 700,000 TEU in the first half of 2026. The operator says it is on track to cross 1.3 million TEU for the full year, with a goal of 2 million TEU a year by 2027.
• Tunisia’s container ports handled 278,000 TEU in H1 2026, up 9%. Bizerte grew fastest at 86%, and total seaport cargo rose 7.3% to 14.8 million tonnes.
• In West Africa, the Lomé Container Terminal in Togo has been commissioned as a new hub. Dynamar’s 2026 survey shows annual trade capacity to Lagos rising for two consecutive surveys.
• DP World reported first half 2026 group revenue growth of 13.1% to $12.7 billion. Its Africa region performed strongly, and projects in Banana, Ndayane, Luanda, Dar es Salaam and Maputo are progressing.
• Morocco’s Nador West Med, the country’s second Mediterranean deep water port, is due to open in Q4 2026. Carriers such as Hapag-Lloyd are routing more volume through Tanger Med to avoid schedule problems.
• The Suez Canal Economic Zone in Egypt has attracted nearly $16 billion in investment over the past three years and nine months. Egypt also aims to grow rail freight from 8 million tonnes a year in 2026 to 13 million tonnes by 2030.

4. Rules That Matter: Compliance Changes Now in Force

Several regulatory changes are now in force or about to be, and they take effect at different times. The table covers the measures most likely to affect planning this quarter.

Measure	Jurisdiction	Effective	What it means
Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform	Kenya (KRA)	Launched 3 Aug 2026; carrier validation from 1 Sep 2026	Exporters obtain an ACD reference at loading, after uploading the draft Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice and export declaration. The reference must be endorsed on the Bill of Lading. Containers without a valid ACD number will not be accepted at origin. Over 1,000 applications had been filed by mid October (reported).
Foreign export declaration	Kenya (KRA)	From 1 Sep 2026	Importers must obtain and keep the export declaration or export certificate from the country of origin, showing exporter, importer, goods, quantity, value, tariff code and country of export. Keep it for five years. It sits beside import clearance rather than replacing it.
Customs minimum value benchmark	Kenya (KRA)	20 Aug 2026	The reference value for general containerised consolidation cargo rises from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million. It is a reference point, not a flat value: if the actual value is higher, declare the higher figure (reported).
Cargo tracking seals (RECTS)	Kenya (KRA)	KRA owned seals phased out by 26 Oct 2026	A multi vendor, user owned framework covers dry cargo e seals and wet cargo e fuel seals, with 15 approved vendors. Existing KRA seals are being phased out, so do not assume an old arrangement still applies after the transition date.
Merchant Shipping (Maritime Transport Operators) Regulations, 2024	Kenya	Enforcement suspended by the Court of Appeal on 2 Oct 2026	The disputed provisions cover local ownership and expatriate employment. The order is a temporary reprieve pending appeal, not a final resolution. Check the operative court order and Kenya Maritime Authority notices before making decisions.
Sea Port Tariff 2026 (GN No. 03 of 9 Jan 2026)	Tanzania (TPA)	9 Jan 2026	Port service fees rise between 2% and 15% across different services, adding cost for forwarders and traders.
Common External Tariff stays and changes, FY 2026/27	East African Community	1 Jul 2026 (one year)	Adjusted and temporary stays on CET rates for selected products, with an expanded list of sensitive goods. Some tariffs rise while others are relieved, so product classification matters more than ever.
Zero tariff treatment for 20 African partners	China (Customs Tariff Commission Announcement No. 5 of 2026)	1 May 2026 to 30 Apr 2028	Eligible African imports enter China at 0% tariff, subject to origin rules and customs procedures. Certificates of origin and documentation are critical.
AGOA extension	United States	Signed 3 Feb 2026; expires 31 Dec 2026	Duty free access for more than 1,800 products, applied retroactively from 30 Sep 2025. Renewal beyond December is uncertain.

5. Regional Integration: Borders Still Cost More Than Tariffs

East Africa’s non tariff barrier (NTB) agenda is gaining momentum, but practical progress lags the rhetoric. EAC leaders directed that NTBs be eliminated by mid 2026. At a Nairobi logistics forum on 30 July 2026, transport operators urged the government to remove unnecessary roadblocks on Kenya’s highways. Freight forwarders called for harmonised customs procedures and a clearer legal framework for the sector. Analysts note that border delays, inconsistent procedures and hidden fees still cost traders more than tariffs do.

A World Bank report released on 28 August 2026, Integrating Africa: From Threads to Hubs, argues that the next gains will come from making African markets work together in practice. It highlights interoperable customs, standards, payments, transport and digital systems; simpler rules of origin; electronic single windows; risk based inspections; and stronger regional infrastructure. The African Union’s accompanying analysis notes that around 85% of Africa’s trade still flows outside the continent. The opportunity is to build regional value chains that keep more value in Africa.

For logistics providers, the commercial opportunity is to connect port handling with dependable inland transport, border coordination, warehousing, shipment visibility and proof of delivery. On routes such as the Mombasa, Kampala, Kigali and Juba axis, customers need end to end accountability, not a series of disconnected handoffs.

6. AfCFTA: From Negotiation to Implementation

The African Continental Free Trade Area has moved decisively into implementation. At the 18th Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja, concluded on 6 July 2026, ministers placed implementation at the centre of the agenda, and Nigeria took over the chairpersonship.

• More than 12,000 certificates of origin had been issued and notified under the agreement by the end of March 2026, according to the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• Automotive rules of origin were finalised in February 2026, clarifying what qualifies as an African made vehicle for duty free trade.
• Somalia, now the 50th State Party, is preparing to deposit its tariff schedules and begin trading under the agreement.
• Work continues on the AfCFTA Competition Authority and Tribunal to address anti competitive cross border practices.
• A 2026 working paper cites Afreximbank data showing intra African trade reached about $220 billion in 2025, with a projection of $250 billion for 2026. These are estimates and should be checked against the original report before formal use.

Non tariff barriers remain the biggest obstacle. Tariffs are being cut, but border procedures, slow NTB reduction and the lack of sustainable financing for the secretariat all slow the benefit for traders. AfCFTA matters most where it translates into shorter clearance times at actual border posts.

7. Digital Customs: Toward One Platform Across Africa

• AfCFTA signed an agreement with a Nigerian firm for a customs unification concession, announced at the Digital Trade Forum 2026 in Lagos. The stated aim is interoperability, so customs platforms across Africa can exchange data. It builds on Nigeria’s move from ASYCUDA to NICIS and now to the B’Odogwu platform.
• Djibouti’s customs administration is planning an electronic single window that would go beyond its SYDONIA World system. The project is being developed with the Ministry of Commerce, the AfCFTA Secretariat and Korea’s CUPIA.
• At the WCO East and Southern Africa Governing Council in Zanzibar in May 2026, Tanzania highlighted expanded single window clearance systems to reduce delays and improve transparency.
• Kenya’s RECTS seal transition, described above, is the same trend in practice: more data, more vendors and more responsibility on operators.

Single windows and ASYCUDA deployments have improved specific corridors, but the benefits depend on implementation quality. The true test is measurable reductions in clearance times at individual border posts.

8. Global Shocks: Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Cape Route

• The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz from March 2026 caused widespread disruption. The IMO estimated around 3,200 vessels were confined west of the strait.
• Major container lines suspended transits through the region. BIMCO estimated that nearly 10% of the global container fleet had been affected.
• The memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran expired on 17 August 2026 and had not been replaced at the time of the latest monitor report. Hapag-Lloyd reported a $600 million impact from the Middle East crisis on its Q2 2026 results.
• Ethiopian Airlines introduced surcharges that raised transport costs for East African floriculture exporters by around 20% from early April, with delivery delays of 24 to 48 hours.
• Road transport still carries roughly 85% to 90% of Sub Saharan freight, so when sea and air routes are disrupted, pressure falls on road and rail, and intra African trade becomes more important.

The Red Sea is moving the other way. All three major carrier alliances have now moved at least part of their networks back through the Suez Canal, and Asia to North Europe rates have fallen by around 60% since July (Linerlytica). Cargo into Mombasa is a different market: MSC’s Far East to Mombasa rates for 15 to 31 October are USD 4,950 per 20ft and USD 6,250 per 40ft high cube before local charges, and CMA CGM added a peak season surcharge of USD 800 per TEU from China from 15 October. Global headlines about falling rates do not automatically apply to a container bound for Mombasa.

Shipping networks take months, not weeks, to recover, and freight rates often stay elevated long after oil prices stabilise. Operators should treat repeated chokepoint disruption as a planning assumption. Build in schedule flexibility, confirm surcharge and free time terms, and agree in advance how delays and diversions will be communicated. A low headline rate can become expensive if it comes with poor visibility or unmanaged destination charges.

9. Trade Partnerships and Market Access

China’s zero tariff window. From 1 May 2026, China extended zero tariff treatment to 20 African countries with diplomatic ties that are not least developed countries. This builds on the December 2024 move that gave 100% tariff line coverage to 33 least developed African countries. The arrangement runs to 30 April 2028 and is framed as a step toward a China Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement. Exporters must meet origin rules to qualify.

AGOA’s uncertain future. AGOA lapsed in September 2025 and was restored in February 2026 through a one year extension to 31 December 2026. In 2024, eligible African exports under AGOA reached $8.23 billion, with South Africa accounting for about half and Nigeria roughly one fifth. A temporary 10% US tariff under Section 122 expired on 24 July 2026. Motor vehicles, a major South African export, still face a 25% tariff under Section 232, and South African goods face reciprocal tariffs of about 30%. Congress may consider extending AGOA beyond December.

Corridor investment. Kenya and Rwanda signed a logistics and trade facilitation agreement in January 2026. Africa Global Logistics plans to invest about $1.16 billion in 2026 in trade corridors, focusing on inland and multimodal infrastructure.

10. What to Watch in the Coming Weeks

• 26 October 2026: end of the phase out for KRA owned cargo seals. Confirm your approved vendor and device arrangements now.
• Kenya’s ACD compliance. Expect teething problems at origin, especially for shippers new to the process.
• The Kenyan shipping regulations case. Confirm the current status of the court order before relying on either outcome.
• Hormuz and freight rates. Watch for a renewed arrangement between the US and Iran and the Q3 freight rate trackers.
• AGOA renewal. Congressional discussion will shape exporter planning for 2027, particularly in textiles, agriculture and automotive.
• Port openings and AfCFTA rollout. Nador West Med is due in Q4 2026, and the customs interoperability project and national implementation committees will show whether integration is moving on the ground.

11. What to Do This Week

• Before loading: make ACD responsibility and document checks part of the booking checklist for cargo bound for Kenya. Confirm who secures the reference, and reconcile the draft Bill of Lading against invoice and export declaration data.
• Before dispatch: confirm the RECTS seal requirements and approved vendor arrangements for cargo under customs control, and test device installation and trip workflows before the move.
• At the port: track customs release, shipping line release, port status and truck scheduling together. One missing milestone can hold up the entire move.
• Across borders: build corridor plans that include border processes, transit documentation, driver handovers and proof of delivery. Declare the true value on consolidated cargo.
• In every quotation: state what is included and excluded, covering freight, origin and destination charges, free time, demurrage and detention exposure, customs services, tracking and contingencies. Name the exact loading port, because carrier surcharges for “China” and “Far East” origins do not always cover the same ports.

Closing Perspective

Africa’s trade story is increasingly a logistics story. Rising volumes, pre arrival compliance and cargo tracking reforms, and the renewed push for regional integration all point the same way: the next competitive advantage will come from reliability, compliance and coordination across the full supply chain. Operators that treat documentation, visibility and port coordination as strategic priorities will convert trade growth into dependable delivery.

---

Sources and Further Reading

1. Journal of Commerce, “This time for Africa,” 7 September 2026.
2. AGL, Africa Market Trends, July 2026; Congo Terminal H1 2026 update, 9 July 2026; Container News, Tunisia H1 2026 report, September 2026; Dynamar, West Africa Container Trades (2026).
3. Kenya Ports Authority, Port of Mombasa 2025 cargo results; TradeMark Africa, “Mombasa Port banks on automation as demand outpaces capacity,” 14 October 2026.
4. Kenya Revenue Authority, Advance Cargo Declaration public notice, 14 July 2026.
5. Kenya Revenue Authority, approved vendors for electronic monitoring and tracking of goods under customs control, 11 September 2026.
6. The EastAfrican, “Kenyan appeal court suspends new shipping rules,” October 2026.
7. East African Community, FY 2026/27 customs and duty changes (KPMG East Africa analysis, June 2026).
8. Tanzania Ports Authority, Sea Port Tariff 2026, reported by The EastAfrican.
9. World Bank, “What’s Next for Africa’s Integration Agenda,” 28 August 2026; African Union, “Integrating Africa: From Threads to Hubs,” August 2026.
10. AfCFTA Secretariat, 18th Council of Ministers press release, July 2026; AfCFTA customs and Digital Trade Forum reports, June to July 2026.
11. Djibouti News Agency via Dawan Africa, 1 September 2026; The Citizen (Tanzania), WCO ESA Governing Council report, May 2026.
12. Ministry of Finance of China, Customs Tariff Commission Announcement No. 5 of 2026, 28 April 2026.
13. USTR, statement on the reauthorization of AGOA, 3 February 2026; US Congressional Research Service, AGOA report (2026).
14. IMO, update on the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz, March 2026; BIMCO, Persian Gulf container fleet analysis, March 2026; Kpler, US and Iran MoU monitor, August 2026; Reuters, Hapag-Lloyd Q2 2026 results, 13 August 2026.
15. Ocean Freight Japan, “Shipping Weekly, 9 Oct 2026”; MSC, Far East to Sub Saharan Africa price announcement, 7 October 2026; Huazong Logistics, CMA CGM October 2026 rate updates.

Editorial note: This briefing reflects publicly available material reviewed as at 15 October 2026. It is general trade and logistics information, not legal, customs or tax advice. Regulations and court orders can change quickly. Confirm the latest official notices and obtain professional advice before acting on any legal or commercial point.

Sidoman provides customs brokerage, freight forwarding, warehousing and cross border transport across East Africa and beyond. To talk through your next shipment, message us on WhatsApp at +254 722 375 423 or visit sidoman.com.

Talk to us on WhatsApp: +254 722 375 423

Sidoman Logistics, Mombasa