South Africa stands out in Africa for how well it handles trade. With the continent’s highest LPI score (3.7) as of 2023, it means goods clear customs faster, move on better infrastructure like roads and ports, and reach their destination on time.
All these are thanks to stronger logistics services, better shipment tracking, reliable delivery timelines, and easier access to international shipping options. For businesses, that means lower costs and more confidence. On the other hand, countries like Nigeria and Ghana score 2.5–2.6, where poor tracking, port congestion, and customs slowdowns make trade harder. For any economy looking to boost exports or attract investment, better logistics is non-negotiable.
The LPI measures how easy it is to move goods across borders. It’s based on six areas: customs, infrastructure, international shipments, logistics competence, tracking & tracing, and timeliness, all rated from 1 (poor) to 5 (best). Higher scores mean smoother trade.
