Posted: April 29th, 2018

Optimizing Intermodal Transportation Networks in West Africa

## **Introduction**

The Economic Community Of West Africa States (ECOWAS) comprises fifteen states, divided into two groups: coastal and landlocked countries. The region boasts twelve coastal states, each with at least one port. However, these major ports serve a common hinterland that includes three landlocked countries: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Operating in a highly competitive environment, these ports have quasi-monopolies on their home country markets but compete for transit cargo to the landlocked countries and transshipment traffic to other ports.

## **The Problem**

Our study addresses the intermodal routing problem of regional freight transportation within West Africa ECOWAS. This problem involves determining the freight flow quantity and transportation mode in each transit corridor while satisfying freight demand at each West African transit country. The ultimate objective is to minimize inland transportation costs.

## **Methodology**

To optimally solve this complex problem, we employ a linear programming model. Specifically, we use the Lingo Mathematical Application to represent and solve the intermodal routing challenge. Our model considers various factors such as port hinterland dynamics, port competition, and intermodal transport optimization.

## **Findings**

The results of our research reveal that port-oriented freight logistics in the West Africa ECOWAS region do not always flow along optimal paths. Instead, they often incur longer transit times and higher logistics costs than necessary based on geographical considerations. By addressing these inefficiencies, we can significantly enhance regional trade and economic development.

## **Recommendations**

1. **Integrated Planning**: Collaborative planning among stakeholders—governments, port authorities, transport companies, and regional organizations—is crucial. Integrated planning ensures that infrastructure investments align with regional trade needs.

2. **Hinterland Connectivity**: Improving connectivity between ports and their hinterlands is essential. Efficient road and rail networks connecting ports to inland destinations will enhance cargo movement.

3. **Intermodal Solutions
Optimizing Intermodal Transportation Networks in West Africa: Improving Connectivity Between Ports, Roads, and Rail

Effective transportation networks are essential for economic growth and development in any region. In West Africa, improving connectivity between ports, roads, and rail has the potential to significantly enhance transport efficiency and bolster regional and international trade. However, transport infrastructure across West Africa suffers from issues such as poor condition of roads and rail, lack of integration between modes, inefficient port operations, and more (Teravaninthorn and Raballand, 2009). Strategic optimization of intermodal links is imperative to overcoming these barriers.

The Importance of Intermodal Transportation

Intermodal transport entails moving freight via multiple methods seamlessly in an integrated system. This contrasts with relying solely on one mode, like road or rail (UNESCAP, 2022). Intermodal transport confers major advantages, including reduced costs, improved reliability and connectivity, lower environmental impact, and more.

In West Africa specifically, enhancing intermodal connectivity between ports, roads, and rail is especially beneficial. The region depends heavily on maritime trade and port accessibility yet struggles with moving imports and exports efficiently to and from ports (Atta-Ankomah, 2022). Optimizing links across transport modes would ease bottlenecks substantially.

Current State of Transportation Infrastructure in West Africa

West Africa’s transportation infrastructure currently impedes intermodal optimization. According to Teravaninthorn and Raballand (2009), roads are in poor condition from lack of maintenance, rail networks necessitate major upgrades, and port productivity lags compared to international standards. These issues motivate a strategy focused on modernizing and integrating infrastructure.

Roads

The road network across West Africa has expanded substantially since the 1990s to over 236,000 km of roads, facilitating increased mobility and connectivity (Bromhead, 2022). However, only a small percentage of roads are paved, with many arterial routes still consisting of dirt paths vulnerable to weather impacts (World Bank, 2016). Rural accessibility remains low in the region compared to elsewhere globally.

Maintenance also widely lacks, resulting in premature deterioration of road quality. By the late 2000s, over 70% of roads in West Africa were in fair, poor, or very poor condition (Teravaninthorn and Raballand, 2009). Since hauling goods via roads is essential for first- and last-mile freight transit, improving road infrastructure is an urgent priority.

Rail

West Africa’s rail network dates back to the early 20th century but now requires widespread repairs and upgrades. There are under 10,000 km of rail lines in the region, mainly single-track, narrow gauge, and falling into disrepair (Atta-Ankomah, 2022). This shrinks rail’s competitiveness versus road transport.

Additionally, regional rail connectivity needs reinforcement. While railroads connect coastal capital cities to ports, links to interior countries remain largely absent (Bromhead, 2022). Constructing new track is cost-intensive, so restoring existing infrastructure is likely most feasible short-term. However, policies promoting open-access rail are essential for the long run.

Ports

Seaports constitute a linchpin of West Africa’s trading system yet port productivity is quite low, with average container dwell times over 20 days versus the global average of 4-5 days (Atta-Ankomah, 2022). Port congestion and delays stem partly from inadequate hinterland connections, forcing ships to wait longer when rail and roads cannot keep pace transporting containers. Attempting to enhance port efficiencies in isolation risks limited success; instead, ports must be considered part of the intermodal network.

Key Challenges Hindering Optimization

West Africa faces economic and institutional obstacles to integrating transport infrastructure across modes. Financing presents a major barrier, while governance issues like customs delays or corruption also undermine efficient intermodal transport.

Financial Constraints

Modernizing and expanding transport infrastructure requires sizable capital unavailable domestically (Bromhead, 2022). Though governments recognize the need to upgrade networks, most countries across West Africa have limited fiscal space even before the Covid-19 crisis (World Bank, 2020). Transport projects rely predominantly on external donor funding as a result.

Closing the infrastructure financing gap entails pursuing public-private partnerships (PPPs), bond issuances, multilateral development banks, and other options. Yet diffusion of responsibilities across agencies sometimes inhibits coordinated action on financing. Streamlining funding efforts is essential.

Institutional Weaknesses

Beyond pure financing deficiencies, problems related to customs management, border control, and corruption create additional drags on intermodal optimization (Atta-Ankomah, 2022). Clearing cargo across modal links faces excessive red tape. And opaque informal payments to facilitate transit persist, especially at ports.

Reforms to port and customs administration must accompany infrastructure upgrades to truly improve connectivity. Regional commissions like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have worked to harmonize regulations through accords like the Inter State Road Transit Scheme (ISRT), but implementation remains gradual (World Bank, 2020). Continued efforts on this dimension are crucial.

Key Strategies for Enhancing Intermodal Connectivity

Both physical and policy interventions can strengthen transport integration between ports, roads, and rail in West Africa. Investing in infrastructure modernization and embracing digital systems offer particular promise.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Restoring rail lines, paving major trade corridors, and enhancing port capacities will bolster interconnectivity across transport modes. Projects should focus first on rehabilitating existing assets before building extensive new networks.

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) under the African Union provides a useful blueprint, outlining priority multimodal corridors for improvement (PIDA, 2021). Upgrading these major routes can then facilitate connectivity to secondary networks.

Digitalization

Embracing digital technologies can reinforce infrastructure upgrades. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) allow monitoring freight, easing traffic coordination between rail, roads, and ports. Digitalization also enables better tracking along transport chains, reducing diversion risks (Atta-Ankomah, 2022).

Port Community Systems (PCS) likewise help coordinate port operations through real-time data exchange among stakeholders like customs, terminals, ships, etc. These platforms reinforce efficient intermodal transfers, thereby increasing overall connectivity.

Policy and Institutional Reforms

Parallel transport policy and governance reforms should complement physical investments. Key measures include reducing non-physical barriers to transit, implementing axle load regulations to protect road infrastructure, liberalizing rail concessions to increase private sector participation, and more (Teravaninthorn and Raballand, 2009).

Streamlining customs and borders via digitalization of procedures can smooth transfers between transport modes significantly. Regional bodies like ECOWAS must also continue efforts toward cross-border harmonization.

Conclusion

Upgrading intermodal transportation infrastructure is vital for West Africa to reinvigorate regional and international trade. Integrating port, road, and rail networks more cohesively can shrink logistics costs and bottlenecks substantially. Investments in restoring existing rail and roads combined with port enhancements and digitization constitute potential high-return interventions. Yet solutions must be multi-pronged, combining physical upgrades with critical transport policy and governance reforms. With strategic optimization, intermodal networks can form West Africa’s linchpin for growth and prosperity.

References

Atta-Ankomah, R. (2022). Optimizing Port Performance within Intermodal/Multimodal Transport System in West Africa. WALC 30th Annual Meeting and Symposium in Liberia.

Bromhead, A. (2022). The development of transport infrastructure in colonial West Africa. African Economic History, 50(1), pp.187-227.

Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa. (2021). PIDA Progress Report 2021. African Union.

Teravaninthorn, S. and Raballand, G. (2009). Transport Prices and Costs in Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank.

UNESCAP. (2022). Intermodal Transport in Asia and the Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities. United Nations.

World Bank. (2016). research essay pro West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program APL1. [online] Washington D.C.

World Bank. (2020). West Africa Economic Integration, Regional Connectivity, and Social Inclusion. [online] Washington D.C.

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