Empty trucks sabotage SA’s transport potential

Across Southern Africa, empty trucks burn fuel and margins. A regional digital freight-matching marketplace, says THEMBANI SIBANDA, could cut costs and emissions, as well as unlock trade efficiency across borders.

Across Southern Africa, thousands of heavy trucks move along major transport corridors every day, including Beitbridge, Chirundu, Kazungula, the Trans-Kalahari and the N4. Yet a surprising proportion of these trucks run empty for significant stretches of their journeys. In logistics, an empty truck is more than a missed commercial opportunity. It represents wasted fuel, avoidable CO₂ emissions, higher transport costs across the value chain and unnecessary strain on roads and border infrastructure.

This “empty truck problem” is not unique to the region, but in Southern Africa it is magnified by a fragmented transport market. Transporters from Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Malawi and Namibia largely operate within informal networks, relying on phone calls, WhatsApp groups and personal relationships to find loads. There is no central, trusted and transparent digital marketplace where cargo owners can post available loads and transporters can match capacity in real time.

The absence of such a platform represents a significant structural gap in the logistics ecosystem. It limits efficiency, adds cost and ultimately slows trade in a region that urgently needs greater competitiveness.

A fragmented system in a region that depends on movement

Southern Africa’s economies are heavily trade dependent. Manufacturing, mining, retail, agriculture and FMCG industries all rely on predictable and reliable freight movement. Despite this dependence, the regional transport market remains remarkably analogue.

Transporters often secure a load into a neighbouring country, offload and then either spend days waiting for a return load or drive back empty simply to avoid delays. At the same time, thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) searching for affordable transport have no visibility of available trucks. The mismatch persists even though both sides need each other.

Globally, digital freight platforms have helped address this inefficiency. Platforms in Europe, Asia and North America have demonstrated measurable impact through reduced empty trips, improved fleet utilisation, lower emissions, better route planning and greater pricing transparency. According to McKinsey research, digital freight platforms can reduce empty mileage by up to 25 to 40% and cut logistics costs by 10 to 20% for shippers and carriers combined.

Southern Africa stands to benefit from similar gains – and potentially even more.

A digital marketplace as a regional solution

The solution is conceptually simple: a central, cross-border digital platform where transporters can view available loads, routes, weights, timing and pricing in real time. Businesses and individuals could post loads and instantly see available transport options. Costs would be displayed transparently, enabling quicker decisions and healthier competition. Route optimisation would reduce unnecessary kilometres travelled. Documentation such as permits and customs information could be integrated to speed up cross-border movement.

Such a platform would not replace traditional logistics companies. Instead, it would complement them by bringing structure, visibility and operational efficiency to a system that currently relies on fragmented communication channels.

Economic, environmental and social impact

The benefits of a regional freight-matching marketplace extend far beyond the transport sector:

1. Lower logistics costs

High transport costs remain a major barrier to trade across SADC. By filling empty legs, transporters reduce operating costs and part of that saving can flow through to the businesses that depend on them. Over time, this improves competitiveness for local industries.

2. Reduced carbon emissions

Fewer empty trips mean fewer unnecessary kilometres. Given the region’s heavy reliance on diesel trucks, reducing empty mileage directly lowers CO₂ emissions and supports national and regional climate commitments.

3. Greater accessibility for SMEs

Small businesses often struggle most to find reliable and affordable transport. A transparent marketplace levels the playing field, giving every shipper, from large mining companies to small farmers, equal visibility of transport options.

4. Improved corridor efficiency

Better planning eases congestion at key nodes and borders, improving overall traffic flow. This supports government efforts to modernise trade corridors and strengthen regional integration.

Why now?

Southern Africa must change now or fall behind. Regional trade agreements are expanding. Infrastructure upgrades are underway. Demand for faster and more reliable supply chains is growing. At the same time, technology adoption – from smartphones to digital payments – is widespread.

The ingredients for a regional freight-matching platform already exist. What is missing is the coordinated push to bring transporters, businesses, industry bodies and regulators together to build it.

As logistics and transport professionals, the sector must look beyond traditional practices and embrace solutions that improve efficiency and sustainability. The opportunity is immense and the cost of inaction even greater.

Empty trucks represent empty economic value. Southern Africa cannot afford that waste when trade competitiveness is essential to growth. A regional digital freight-matching marketplace is no longer a futuristic idea. It is a practical and achievable step towards a more efficient, sustainable and connected logistics system.

By embracing digital innovation, the region can unlock capacity, reduce costs, cut emissions and create a transport environment that works better for everyone.