09 Oct 2023

Accessibility and its attendant high cost has been identified as a major challenge to doing business in Africa.

Speaking at the recent Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards 2023, former president of Business Botswana, Mr Gobusamang Keebine voiced concern about accessibility of road, air and other modes of transportation.

Mr Keebine said air accessibility was a major concern to private sector in Botswana as the country was at the centre of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

He said of concern was not just the unavailability of direct flights from Botswana, as connectivity from other countries was not guaranteed either.

He pleaded for special consideration of connectivity for SMMEs and start-ups, which often cannot afford the cost of connectivity.  

Mr Keebine suggested that with the advent of a continental free trade area, connectivity and the cost of travel should be looked into.

Talking during a panel discussion themed: Hard-Talk on Africa Connectivity and Cost of Travel, Executive Director of Malawi Tourism Council, Ms Memory Kamthunzi said 26 per cent of visa requirements in African travels was a significant challenge.

Ms Kamthunzi decried the high cost of air travel cost, which was partly due to high aviation taxes.

She also said the state of infrastructure including roads, railways and air transport made it difficult to travel among African countries.

She also said lack access to accurate information such as schedules, routes and visa requirements caused barriers to intra-African travel.

She mentioned bureaucracy as one of the hindrances of smooth travel in Africa.

Ms Kamthunzi said the limited digital connectivity and access to the internet in some areas hindered the ability to book travel, access information, and engage online services related to travel.

Manager of External Affairs and Sustainability at Africa IATA, Mr Sandile Chipunza said taxation was a challenge as aviation tax did not go to aviation but rather to national coffers.

He said jet fuel in Africa was above global average and the cost insurance were also high.

Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism Business Council, Mr Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa said Africa was not willing to liberalise its air space.

He said there was no political will as the continent was divided with each African country having  different bilateral agreements with whom they chose. Ends