The West African region presents a promising landscape for investment and partnerships aimed at advancing the transport and logistics industry. To foster more collaborations and drive further growth in the sector, the inaugural Transport Evolution West Africa Expo and Forum will take place in Accra, Ghana from 5-7 June 2024. This event will be co-located with the 17th edition of the West African Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX) in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

The events are organized by dmg events, one of Africa’s leading international event organizers, as well as the organizer of Transport Evolution Africa, which takes place annually in South Africa. The expansion of dmg events’ portfolio to include West Africa reflects the growing significance of the region's transport and logistics industry.

The debut of the Transport Evolution West Africa Expo and Forum coincides with a period of escalating investments within the region. A notable example involves the collaboration between the Africa50 investment platform and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) Commission. This partnership specifically aims to bolster the development of transport infrastructure development in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.1

"We are thrilled to extend our reach through Transport Evolution West Africa Expo and Forum. dmg events has vast experience and long-standing relationships across its African event portfolio covering all corners of the continent,” says Joshua Low, Vice President of dmg events South Africa. “The event will connect stakeholders to promote business making in West Africa’s transport and logistics sector."

Transport Evolution West Africa Expo and Forum will serve as a platform for professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders from the West African region to gather, exchange knowledge, and explore solutions that drive sectoral growth. The event aims to attract government officials, investors, transport authorities, logistics providers, suppliers, and service providers to partake in an engaging programme of workshops and an exhibition, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and trends in the transport and logistics industry.

Low emphasized the importance of fostering innovation, growth, and sustainability, while improving regional connectivity and transport infrastructure to fully capitalize on the opportunities that exist within

the mining sector. “Discussions with key stakeholders have highlighted the need to unlock this potential and similar opportunities in many other sectors.”

Ziad Hamoui, President of the Borderless Alliance for Ghana, and one of the event’s board members says it is essential to accelerate the connectivity agenda in West Africa to drive industrialization and facilitate the free movement of goods, people, information, finance, and investment. “In a world marked by rising global disruptions, West Africa needs to prioritize resilient supply chains, boost food security, and ensure a prosperous future for the region.”

The organizers are pleased to announce that they have obtained the endorsement of various significant industry bodies and associations, such as the Ministry of Transport in Ghana, Borderless Alliance, The Railway Network Authority of Ghana, and Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI). Furthermore, the event has enlisted the participation of distinguished individuals to serve on its advisory board ensuring that the event caters to the specific needs of the sector in the region.

“From our initial engagements with our advisory board, it is clear that the content programme for the event should focus on a number of key themes including Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)/Sustainability of the sector, aligning regional standards and policies to allow for better integration between countries in West Africa, discussion on best practices to help boost regional and international trade, among other themes and topics,” adds Low.

For over a decade, Transport Evolution Africa has been the premier meeting place on the continent for professionals in the transport infrastructure and logistics sectors to network, source opportunities, and learn from a wide range of experts. “The geo-adaptation of this event highlights the critical need for a dedicated platform in West Africa that addresses the region's specific needs and brings stakeholders together to debate the challenges facing regional integration,” Low concludes.