The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in South Africa (CILTSA), in collaboration with its national partners in Namibia and Zimbabwe, will host its annual regional conference on 28–29 October 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
The event will run alongside Automechanika Johannesburg 2025, a leading automotive industry exhibition. Themed “Connecting Nations: Building Sustainable Transport Networks”, the conference will bring together key stakeholders from across Southern Africa’s logistics, transport, and supply chain sectors. The goal is to address critical regional challenges and identify sustainable, cross-border solutions to enhance connectivity and trade.
“Solving the transportation challenges of our region requires unified, cross-border action,” said Elvin Harris, President of CILTSA. “This event is a platform for collaborative thinking that will help shape the future of our shared infrastructure.”
The conference will begin with welcome addresses from the presidents of CILT Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Their messages will set the tone for a regional approach to overcoming transport inefficiencies and advancing economic integration.
Conference highlight
Highlights of the conference include a deep dive into common issues such as border delays, customs inefficiencies, and infrastructure gaps, along with proposed joint solutions. A technical session on the digital tools reshaping regional freight operations, including blockchain, track-and-trace systems, and data-driven decision-making.
Expert-led discussions on reducing the environmental impact of transport through cleaner energy, multimodal transport systems, and eco-efficient warehousing. Capacity Building and Inclusion: A focus on skills development in the transport sector, highlighting opportunities to empower youth and women through education and training.
“Improving the efficiency of regional logistics is vital for our economic success,” noted Dr Tapiwa Mujakachi, President of CILT Zimbabwe. “By addressing long-standing bottlenecks through dialogue and innovation, we can build a transport system that supports both economic and environmental sustainability.”
Participants will also gain access to the Automechanika Johannesburg expo, where they can explore the latest in automotive technology and service innovations, bridging policy discussion with real-world applications.
The conference is expected to attract professionals from across the region, offering a unique opportunity to engage in high-level dialogue, share best practices, and form actionable strategies for a connected, future-ready transport network. Industry professionals across Southern Africa are encouraged to attend this milestone event and contribute to building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable transport future for the region.