Impact of COVID-19 on Transport and Logistics Sector in East Africa
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Date
2021-10-08
Authors
FEAFFA and Shippers Council of East Africa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic presented EAC Partner States with
monumental challenges that affected different sectors of their economy. As a
response, the Partner States instituted measures to mitigate the spread of the virus
while, at the same time, ensuring that such measures did not adversely affect the
economic wellbeing of their citizens. Specific measures were instituted addressing
the transport and logistics sector in the region. These measures, however, affected
the operations of the sector.
This report presents findings of the study that sought to investigate the impact of
the COVID-19 on the transport and logistics sector in East Africa. The study addressed
five specific objectives:
1. To provide an inventory of the key containment measures instituted by the EAC
Partner States to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the transport and logistics sector.
2. To identify and enumerate operational challenges faced by transport and logistics
industry stakeholders at the height of the pandemic in the EAC region.
3. To estimate the increase in time, cost, and additional complexities encountered
in clearing and forwarding cargo during the pandemic in the region.
4. To establish gaps in the interventions by the EAC Partner States in ensuring the
continued flow of cargo across borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. To propose operational and policy measures that could be instituted to make
COVID-19 and future pandemic responses.
To address the objectives of this study, a descriptive research design was adopted.
The study focused on a population that comprised of various stakeholders in the
transport and logistics sector, including shippers, transporters, and clearing and
forwarding agents. In terms of the geographical scope, the study focused on key
players within the transport and logistics sector operating and using the Northern
and Central Corridors for movement of cargo and trade facilitation.
The study covers the period between March 2020 and March 2021. Both probability
and non-probability techniques were used. Stratified random sampling technique
was used to identify respondents for an online survey while judgemental sampling
was used in identifying the sector experts for interviews and focus group discussions.