Logistics is a key focus sector for the USAID-ERRA award since it is a vital enabler in facilitating trade and prosperity for export and import value chains. The main theme of this workstream is to support the greening of logistics by reducing CO2 emissions without jeopardizing trade and growth. On September 7th, the ERRA Chief of Party, Mark Priestley, and TMA Director for Environment, Ouma Olum, attended a workshop hosted by the Kühne Foundation to map out potential partnerships as the Foundation plans to establish a smart freight center in East Africa.

This workshop provided an opportunity to get an update on initiatives already taking place in green freight logistics in the region as it was attended by major private-sector logistics players such as Bamburi Cement, Khüne Nagel, Nestle, the Shipper’s Council, the Freight Forwarders Association, North and Central Corridor authorities, and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Many multinationals and logistics operators aim to be carbon-neutral by 2030, while the Northern Corridor Authority has begun a TMA-supported green freight logistics program, which includes a baseline study on the C02 emissions throughout this corridor. Participants brainstormed ideas for creating a green freight logistics program centered around lowering logistics costs and boosting energy efficiency in transportation and logistics.

Some themes discussed included shifting from air and road to multimodal transportation. There was much interest in assisting Kenya’s flower sector to shift from air freight to sea freight, improving fleet management, and supporting electric vehicles/bikes in value chains. We are exploring potential partnerships with the Khüne Foundation and will use this platform to advance our work in green logistics.

Priestley also participated in a panel discussion at the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) to position USAID-ERRA program ambitions.