Africa: Energy Logistics and New Opportunities
Following African Energy Week 2026, Danilo Del Vita discusses the evolution of Africa's energy sector and the logistics challenges associated with major infrastructure projects.
Africa's energy sector is undergoing significant transformation. While existing projects continue to expand, several countries are developing the infrastructure needed to harness their resources and drive industrial development.
This transformation presents important opportunities for specialised logistics providers, who must manage increasingly complex projects, international transport operations and oversized cargo movements to destinations where infrastructure is often still developing.
Danilo Del Vita, Key Account Manager in Aprile's Project Cargo Division, attended African Energy Week 2026, held in Cape Town from 12 to 16 October, alongside colleagues from Savino Del Bene. The event provided an opportunity to exchange views with industry professionals and gain further insight into the outlook for Africa's energy market.
Which developments and opportunities stood out to you most during African Energy Week 2026?
African Energy Week 2026 offered a firsthand insight into the dynamism of Africa's energy market. Many established projects continue to expand, ensuring operational continuity and creating new opportunities. At the same time, several countries are taking steps to develop their economies and make better use of their considerable natural resources.
Achieving these objectives requires investment in infrastructure, which provides the foundation for new projects and enables the movement of large volumes of industrial equipment and components. For operators specialising in Project Cargo, this presents particularly interesting prospects and significant growth potential.
How is the evolution of Africa's energy sector changing the logistics requirements of major infrastructure projects?
The real challenge for logistics providers is remaining flexible and developing alternative solutions to navigate the complexities of the current environment. Operational challenges in several African countries are well known, but geopolitical factors are now adding further pressure to transport planning.
Tensions in the Gulf and Red Sea regions have significantly disrupted maritime routes, affecting vessel availability, particularly for Breakbulk and Heavy Lift shipments, and increasing transport costs and transit times. We often find ourselves managing shipments for projects that are already behind schedule, or cargo that has been held up for extended periods due to disruptions in the Gulf and Red Sea regions, particularly along routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
In this environment, practical experience, the ability to understand our customers' needs and access to professionals across a global network make a real difference, helping us identify alternative solutions, including less conventional approaches.
What are the main operational challenges when transporting oversized cargo and critical components for energy projects in Africa?
For many African countries, infrastructure remains the main limitation. Beyond the challenges affecting maritime transport due to the geopolitical situation, one of the greatest difficulties lies in managing the last mile, moving cargo from the port to its final destination. This stage can involve significant operational challenges, particularly when transporting oversized or exceptionally heavy components.
Knowledge of local conditions, experience on the ground and access to a reliable network of partners and operators are therefore essential to the successful execution of these operations.
Given the complexity of energy projects in Africa, how important is it to have specialist expertise and an established presence in local markets?
For Aprile's Project Cargo Division, being part of the Savino Del Bene Group means having access to a worldwide network of more than 300 offices and an established presence across Africa.
This is complemented by Aprile's own international network, covering key Project Cargo trade lanes, with highly specialised personnel in strategic markets including China, India, the United States, Latin America and Italy.
Italy is home to our central coordination team, bringing together dedicated Chartering, Pricing, Engineering and Operations expertise.
This combination of international coverage, specialist technical capabilities and firsthand knowledge of local markets enables us to manage highly complex projects, even in remote and difficult-to-access locations.
Looking ahead, which African markets will offer the greatest opportunities for Project Cargo?
Mozambique is already a well-established market and, in all likelihood, we will see significant peaks in cargo volumes over the coming months, potentially creating challenges in logistics, operations and vessel capacity. Nigeria also presents very promising prospects, with numerous projects currently under development.
We are also closely monitoring Namibia, where we hope the current growth trend will continue in the coming years. South Africa offers interesting opportunities, particularly in the energy transition, while Morocco stands out for the range and diversity of projects being planned.
There are many other countries we could mention, but I believe the fundamental point is this: Africa, with all its diversity and unique characteristics, continues to offer opportunities that are difficult to find elsewhere in the world. Its enormous growth potential and increasing demand for infrastructure, energy and specialised logistics services represent an extraordinary opportunity for the Project Cargo sector, but also a challenge that a group like ours is fully equipped to meet successfully.
Discover Aprile's Project Cargo Services
With over 30 years of experience in logistics for major industrial projects, Aprile provides specialised solutions for oversized cargo, heavy lift and complex equipment movements, combining technical expertise with international coordination.