Some of the interventions that will be discussed at the conference will include human resource skilling and reskilling, professionalism and self-regulation, as well as embracing innovations like blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, the internet of things and big data.
“We intend to align our views on whatever is happening in the East African Community (EAC) and beyond so that we can position freight logistics better, to meet the dynamic demands of these projects and opportunities,” said Hussein Kiddedde, the UFFA chairman, who also doubles as the chairperson, Organizing Committee, of the Expo.
The exhibition outside the conference hall will be free to the public, he added.
Also, to be addressed is the fragmentation at both enterprise and regulatory level within the freight logistics industry. This division has resulted in a disjointed industry with limited information sharing and difficulties in quantifying practicing professionals.
In addition, the numerous policy and regulatory challenges that hinder competitiveness in freight logistics including inconsistent vehicle axle load control limits, dimensions and numbers of axle limits, operational costs and tariffs, amongst others, will be tackled.
Cross-border issues have acquired prominence in the region and across the continent, including a half-year-long border dispute between Uganda and Rwanda. In the meantime, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a population of over 80 million, has applied to join the East African Community.
Also, the African Development Bank has intensified calls for the continent to open up its borders.