The Index, now in its 13th year, ranks countries in terms of global competitiveness based on logistical strengths, business conditions and, for the first time, digital capability – all factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight services , air and sea carriers, distributors and investors. The index includes a survey of 756 supply chain industry professionals.
Major African economies that have struggled to improve infrastructure, business conditions and global competitiveness generally outperform other emerging markets in areas measuring digital skills and sustainability.
This is one of the discoveries of2022 Agility Index Logistics Emerging Markets”, the ranking of the 50 main emerging markets in the world. Kenya ranks 28th in the overall index, but 17th for digital capability. South Africa, No. 24 overall, is 21st in digital capacity. The same is true of Ghana, which ranks 32nd globally and 23rd in digital capability.
Digital capability assesses digital skills, training, internet access, e-commerce growth, investment conditions, and ability to nurture start-ups, as well as sustainability factors such as a range of renewable energies, lower emissions intensity and green initiatives. 🇧🇷The link between a country's digital capabilities and growth prospects is undeniable,” stated Agility CEO Tarek Sultan.
"The competitiveness of emerging market countries will be determined by their ability to develop businesses and pools of digitally skilled talent, as well as finding the determination to reduce their emissions in ways that stimulate growth rather than sacrificing it.".
The importance of digital capability was evident in the survey. Logistics executives identified technology adoption as a key driver of economic and business growth for emerging markets. The main areas of focus for their companies: technology and sustainability.
In addition to relatively strong performance in digital capacity, Ghana improved its annual ranking in international logistics infrastructure (to 37th from 45th); domestic logistics infrastructure (for 36th from 38th); and business basics (to 28th from 32nd).
Most executives in the logistics industry see moderate to strong economic growth and little or no chance of a recession in 2022, even without immediate relief from tight supply chains and high shipping and air shipping rates triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. .
Around two-thirds of the 756 industry professionals surveyed for the Index believe that carriers will see load rates come down by the end of the year. Eighty percent see port congestion, lack of air capacity and truck transport problems to ease by the end of the year.
"Industry optimism reflects the fact that emerging economies are becoming more resilient and finding ways to weather supply chain disruptions,” says Sultan. “If emerging markets gain better access to vaccines and give small businesses a boost, they can help drive a global recovery in a broad and dynamic way."
Highlights of the 2022 Index:
- Index Rankings for Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa (24), Kenya (28), Ghana (32), Nigeria (34), Tanzania (42), Uganda (43), Ethiopia (45), Mozambique (46), Angola (47).
- China and India, the two largest countries in the world, ranked first and second in the overall ranking. United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Thailand, Mexico and Turkey completed the top 10. Vietnam, number 8 in 2021, dropped to 11th, swapping places with Thailand .
- Power exporters China, India and Mexico topped the international logistics ranking. China, India and Indonesia ranked first in domestic logistics.
- Overall Index Rankings for Latin America: Mexico (9), Chile (12), Brazil (16), Uruguay (23), Colombia (25), Peru (26), Argentina (31), Ecuador (38), Paraguay ( 41), Bolivia (44), Venezuela (48).
- In the Middle East and North Africa, the rankings were: United Arab Emirates (3), Saudi Arabia (6), Qatar (7), Turkey (10), Oman (14), Bahrain (15), Kuwait (17), Jordan (19). ), Morocco (20), Egypt (21), Iran (30), Lebanon (35), Tunisia (36), Algeria (37), Libya (50).
- Asia Rankings: China (1), India (2), Malaysia (4), Indonesia (5), Thailand (8), Vietnam (11), Philippines (18), Kazakhstan (22), Pakistan (27), Sri Lanka (33), Bangladesh (39), Cambodia (40), Myanmar (49).
