Transport officials and experts from across the Horn of Africa met this week to discuss how better road, rail and port connections could cut costs and delays for regional trade.

The talks focused on corridors linking coastal ports with inland markets, the condition of cross-border roads and the time trucks spend waiting at border crossings. Delegates heard that delays at borders can add noticeably to the price of everyday goods by the time they reach shops.

Paperwork as well as pavement

Several speakers argued that simpler procedures could deliver quick results even before new infrastructure is built. Proposals included shared customs checks at border posts, electronic cargo documents and longer opening hours at busy crossings. "A good road is not enough if trucks wait for days at the border," said a logistics expert who attended the meeting.

Business representatives also called for better road safety standards and rest stops for long-distance drivers, many of whom spend days on the road away from their families.

Traders from smaller towns said that better links would help them reach ports directly instead of relying on several middlemen. Women who trade across borders asked for clearer rules and safer facilities at crossing points, saying they often face long and uncertain waits.

Participants agreed to set up technical working groups on customs, road standards and financing, which are due to report back at a follow-up meeting next year.

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