Intra-African
trade has also
taken a hit through
the closure of
borders
Ruth Nduta, Siginon Group
Uganda closed its borders,
which abut Kenya, after its fi rst
case of COVID-19 was
announced. The move left
commuters and truck drivers
stranded, as the announcement
of the closure caught most users
fl at-footed.
It is important to note that
Uganda is Kenya’s biggest
trading partner in the East
African Community. According
to Kenya’s Economic Survey in
2019, the value of imports from
Uganda to Kenya rose to
approximately US$480m in
2018 on account of increased
imports of maize, animal feeds,
milk and sugar. The border
closures will hamper the fl ow of
the strengths and weaknesses of
markets traditionally referred to
as superpowers as they face up
to this ongoing global crisis. It
also highlights the critical role
logistics entities play in the
restoration of markets and trade
through the provision of relief
such as medical supplies,
pharmaceuticals, PPEs and, in
the worst hit areas, food itself.
Ultimately, the COVID-19
pandemic has reaffi rmed the
critical role that effi cient supply
chains play in resolving global
crises such as these and in the
restoration of trade and
economies.
That role is one that should
never be forgotten.
trade, resulting in a situation of
low revenues and volumes on
goods traded. Other countries
that have adopted similar
stances to safeguard and
control its public are Kenya,
Rwanda and Nigeria, which
closed its airports to all
incoming international fl ights,
while Tunisia imposed a
lockdown.
A global battle
As IATA’s Alexandre de Juniac
aptly states: “Today, as we fi ght
a global health war against
COVID-19, governments must
take urgent action to facilitate
air cargo. Keeping cargo fl owing
will save lives.” The impact of
the coronavirus continues to be
felt across global markets and
the aftershocks will be
experienced well into the
foreseeable future. The
pandemic has now more than
ever highlighted the trading
interdependence between
countries and has questioned
www.airlogisticsinternational.com June 2020 19
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