Transport minister, Tayali, urges innovation to tackle global supply chain shocks

The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, has urged stakeholders in Zambia’s transport and logistics sector to embrace resilience, innovation, and collaboration in navigating global and regional challenges affecting supply chains.

Speaking at the 32nd Annual Conference and Elective General Meeting of the Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (ZCILT) in Livingstone, held under the theme “Addressing Today’s Global Challenges Impacting Logistics, Transportation and Supply Chain Management”, Tayali highlighted the far-reaching effects of geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and economic disruptions on the industry.

He cited wars such as those between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Iran, as major disruptors of global supply chains, leading to commodity price volatility and altered shipping routes that have forced countries to re-evaluate trade partnerships.

Tayali stressed the need for Zambia to adopt digitized and harmonized trade systems to improve cross-border movement, while also calling for urgent investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable logistics solutions in response to prolonged droughts in Southern Africa.

“Urban congestion, labour shortages, and evolving consumer demands require us to adopt innovative approaches such as micro-hubs, electric vehicles, optimized routing, and advanced data analytics,” he said.

The Minister also underscored the importance of workforce development, better labour conditions, and upskilling in digital competencies, commending ZCILT for its educational initiatives, including the pending accreditation of the ZILT Level 7 Degree Qualification.

On safety, he emphasized the need to protect logistics personnel from occupational hazards and new risks emerging in increasingly digitized supply chains, including cyber threats.

Tayali reaffirmed government’s commitment to strategic infrastructure projects such as the Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway, which he said would modernize Zambia’s transport network and boost competitiveness.

Acknowledging the significance of the elective AGM, Tayali congratulated the outgoing ZCILT National Council and urged the incoming leadership to drive innovation, inclusivity, and excellence.

“Let us build a forward-thinking institute that positions Zambia as a regional logistics hub, capable of competing on the international stage,” he said.

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