Inland transport represents 40 percent of the total cost of
moving West African cocoa and coffee exports from their origin
to their port of destination. With so many landlocked countries
this is a multinational problem, one that must be confronted on
a regional or corridor basis. The port-to-rail link, the first
major weakness, is often inhibited by conflicts between rail and
port jurisdictions over rail segments in port areas. The lack of
integration prevents effective operation of the container trade,
as containers are loaded and unloaded in port areas,
exacerbating congestion. Some of the most successful rail lines
in Africa operate in national corridors where specialized rail
and port facilities are vertically integrated. Spoornet coal and
ore lines and Gabonese manganese ore are two examples. Another
key issue is the potential role of inland waterways and their
effective integration into the regional road and rail network.
The vast Congo River basin, as well as the great lakes of East
and Central Africa,