The numbers around logistics delays in Africa are truly sobering, especially for those working day-in and day-out in the trade sector.

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African exporters are losing a staggering 20 to 30 percent of their product value simply due to logistics delays.

This figure isn’t just an abstract statistic; it lands heavily on the financial health and developmental prospects of businesses across the continent. When delays consume up to a third of a product’s final value, you’re looking at more than just an efficiency issue—you’re facing a fundamental financial and systemic breakdown.

When Value Chains Weaken

The fallout from these consistent delays is far-reaching, striking at the heart of entire value chains:

• Farmers struggle with cash flow because payment cycles are stretched and goods spoil more often.
• Manufacturers are forced to absorb avoidable losses on time-sensitive components or products.
• SMEs find it exponentially harder to scale, as their profit margins are eaten up before the product even reaches the final market.

This is why we treat reliability as a core responsibility, not just a service metric.

At Qambi, our focus is on consciously designing regional air routes that actively reduce friction and shorten turnaround times. We prioritize routes that give exporters genuine, tangible control over the final value of their goods.

In our experience, the equation is simple and powerful: When goods move on time, opportunities move with them. That is the kind of impact we are committed to delivering.