Continental Trade and Transport Conference

29 April 2026
Conferences

About the conference

Continental Transport and Trade Conference at a glance

2 - 4 July 2024 | Capital on the Park Hotel | Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa

Main theme:  Re-Defining the African Transport Infrastructure Development Agenda” 

Subtheme 1: Status Quo Analysis of Transport Infrastructure and Systems / or Diagnostic assessment of Transport Infrastructure and Systems 

Subtheme 2: Future Agenda for Transport Infrastructure and Systems 

Subtheme 3: Financing of transport infrastructure and Systems 

Why the Conference? 

The rationale behind the conference is to pool diverse key role players as well as experts in the fields of transport and trade from across the continent to discuss, analyse and propose solutions to the issues that hamper efficient Transport infrastructure development and financing. In other words, the conference seeks to provide a platform to address the status quo in relation to transport infrastructure development on the continent, Furthermore, delegates will be able to deliberate on key infrastructure challenges (hard and soft) that impede cross-border trade and transport movements as well as get an update on the progress of flagship infrastructure projects and reforms. 

This exercise will pave the way for the adoption of a collaborative approach between governments and the private sector and the prioritisation of key infrastructure projects that qualify for private sector sponsorship/funding with a view to bringing these programmes to implementation. 

Conference Structure 

The conference will be conducted over a period of 3 days. The conference will start with an Introduction and Welcome by the Chairperson of the C-BRTA Board, followed by an outline of the purpose of the conference by the CEO of the C-BRTA. The Minister of Transport will deliver the keynote address that ties in with the conference theme “Re-defining the African Transport Infrastructure Development Agenda”. 

Day 1 will be devoted to presenting the status quo of transport infrastructure and systems and on tracking progress on the delivery of key continental and regional infrastructure programmes. Presentations will be led by distinguished speakers drawn from Continental, Tripartite and Regional (SADC) structures. Day 1 will round up with a gala dinner.

Once the scene has been set on Day 1, the deliberations of day 2 will be devoted to the Future Agenda for transport infrastructure and systems on the African continent. Thematic session themes include the SMART corridor concept and the movement towards green transport, through decarbonising the transport sector. Other topics include transport regulation in future, the role of risk-based systems in facilitating trade flows and SMART law enforcement tools and systems.

Day 3 will be led by Developmental Financial Institutions (DFI’s), including the Nedbank Africa team. Key discussion topics will centre on innovative financing models for transport infrastructure projects, the importance of adopting a partnership approach for infrastructure financing and the prioritisation of flagship infrastructure programmes (Continental, Tripartite and SADC) that qualify for project preparation funding.   

Key discussion points 

The following discussion points will anchor deliberations during the three-day conference:

  • Building a sustainable and resilient cross-border transport system through technology driven solutions;
  • Key infrastructure gaps that hinder transport and trade flows across the continent;
  • Update on the status of key infrastructure programmes at Continental, Tripartite and Regional (SADC) level to address infrastructure constraints;
  • Innovative funding options for infrastructure projects/programmes;
  • Preparing infrastructure projects/programmes for bankability;
  • Prioritisation of soft issues that regulatory institutions in the region, and continent should address;
  • Importance of constant monitoring and evaluation throughout the project life cycle to ensure projects success; 
  • SMART corridor interventions; and
  • Showcasing of reforms that support the new realities (4IR and SMART corridors).

Who will be attending? 

The conference will bring together diverse role-players operating in the cross-border value chain including, but not limited to, representatives from the African Union Commission, NEPAD, Regional Secretariats, Ministries of Trade and Transport, Road Transport Regulators, Regional Economic Communities, continental platforms such as The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Development Finance Partners, Academia, Corridor Management Institutions, Regional Transport Associations, Forwarding and Clearing Agents Associations and road transport operators’ representatives.  

What are the take-aways? 

The hosting of a Continental Trade and Transport Conference may yield many benefits for the C-BRTA. Examples of such benefits include: 

  • Forming partnerships with key transport corridors role-players;
  • Enhancement of stakeholder participation and interest in key infrastructure programmes unfolding across the continent.
  • Improved execution of flagship transport infrastructure programmes at continental, tripartite and regional level; 
  • Increased trade and transport volumes moving along transport corridors; and
  • Enhanced intra-Africa growth and development.
  • Better infrastructure finance solutions.