Africa Forum 2015: The highlights

The Tanzanian branch of CILT was formally established in 2007 and members were excited to host the forum for a third time. The earliest Tanzanian member to join the Chartered Institute was in 1970, and the country has been a forerunner in driving membership and highlighting the benefits of CILT membership.

The Africa Forum seeks to bring together member countries from the continent and worldwide to network and discuss pertinent supply chain, logistics and transport issues.

The three day forum saw presentations and speeches by leading industry professionals, as well as ceremonies, dinners and bonding trips to various significant areas of Tanzania.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Christopher Kangoye, Arusha District Commissioner. Among the issues the Guest of Honour touched on was that CILT can be a tool to assist the African Continent as it endeavors to address the key constraints and challenges of intra-African Trade and social economic development if utilized fully.

There then followed a presentation of Individual and Corporate Membership Certificates.
Over the course of the first day there were some engaging presentations given to the delegates in attendance. Speeches included:

• Dr. Dave van Meulen FCILT (South Africa) spoke about the Global Railways Renaissance and its influences on Logistics and Mobility in Africa
• Juma H. Fimbo CMILT, National Institute of Transport (Tanzania) educated delegates on African Transport Security in the past
• Dr. Usman Gidado CMILT (Nigeria) discussed Port Congestion
• Hamza Johari CMILT weighed up the Air-cargo prospects in emerging African markets
• Dr. Salumu K. Chang`walo and Zachalia Mganilwa (Tanzania) discussed The Role of Competence Based Educational and Training in Technical Human Capital in Tanzania
• Jon Harris—International Professional Development coordinator, FCILT (UK) presented: Creating sustainable urban mobility and places for people to learn lessons

In addition to the aforementioned presentations delegates were on hand to watch the launch of WiLAT Tanzania. Paul Brooks, CILT International President officiated the launch and during the ceremony, the WiLAT Leadership presented gifts to CILT International Secretariat Leaders and Heads of Delegations.

The evenings dinner was sponsored by  Fast Jet.

A second day of paper presentations and discussion took place for delegates to learn, network and understand many of the industry’s hot topics.

• Jon Harris, International Professional Development Coordinator, FCILT (UK) spoke about creating a Sustainable Urban Mobility plan; the way forward.
• Captain Mussa Mandia enlightened all delegates with his presentation on Marine Safety
• Dr. Emurwon Olupot FCILT presented on the topic: Rethinking Urban Transportation in Kampala

Towards the end of the day delegates attended the Election of the Chairman of Africa Forum. Major General Usman of Nigeria was elected and Mr. George Makuke elected as Chairman elect who will take over from Major Usman after his two year tenure in office.

The second evening’s dinner was sponsored by Ecobank.

The third day of the Forum was seen by most as a “tourist day” with delegates being able to visit the Ngorongoro Crater one of the wonders of the world, where they could see a range of wildlife.
Later in the day the final few presentations were given to delegates with several presentations from previous days repeated as well as:

• Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, Centre of Transport Studies, Olabis Obasanjo University (Nigeria) gave a presented: Transport and Logistics Education: The Challenges of African Countries
• Prof. Kayode Oyesiku also presented an Evaluation of Traffic Congestion

It is with thanks to CILT Tanzania that the Africa Forum was again such a success largely in part to the this year’s Steering Committee.