Dr. Daniel McKorley, Chairman of the McDan Group, delivered a powerful speech at the 4th Aviacargo Conference in Lagos, shedding light on the critical challenges facing the cargo and logistics sector in West Africa.
Drawing from his personal journey and deep industry insights, Dr. McKorley emphasized the need for local control and global thinking to revolutionize the industry.
Dr. McKorley, who began his career in road transportation at a young age, shared an inspiring story of how he made his first million dollars at the age of 28 by selling maize. He also recounted a significant setback when he lost a warehouse, an experience that taught him the importance of respecting insurance.
READ: Africa: Dr. Daniel Mckorley, Chairman, McDan Group to Speak at the 4th Chinet Aviacargo Conference in Lagos
He strongly advised clients to use local insurance companies, stressing that this approach allows businesses to maintain control. “We have associations and companies who are agents for foreign firms, but when do we take control of our own business?” Dr. McKorley asked. “If you don’t control the air and sea, you don’t have a business.”
Dr. McKorley underscored the importance of thinking globally while acting locally. He noted that Nigeria, despite having one of the largest markets in the region, lacks the assets to fully capitalize on it. “We have the market, but the foreigners make the rules for us,” he stated.
He identified four major challenges in the cargo and logistics business in West Africa: infrastructure, politics, pricing, and bribery and corruption. Drawing a comparison with the United States, he pointed out that while it is seamless to move cargo from New York to Chicago, the same cannot be said for Africa.
“It takes partnership, bravery, and synergies to change the logistics problem,” Dr. McKorley said. “Until we partner, come together, and establish a standard, we will not overcome these challenges.”
Highlighting Africa’s vast potential, Dr. McKorley noted that the continent’s trade is valued at $4.3 trillion and is rich in natural resources. However, he lamented that Africa remains at the mercy of foreign entities who control the movement of goods due to a lack of connectivity within the continent. He also called for a more serious approach to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a means to take charge of the continent’s economic destiny.
Dr. McKorley concluded his speech by quoting Nelson Mandela: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.” He urged African businesses to seize opportunities in logistics, form their own partnerships, and move from merely talking about solutions to implementing them.
With his remarks, Dr. McKorley has once again highlighted the critical need for African-led solutions to the continent’s logistical challenges, stressing that the future of Africa’s cargo and logistics industry lies in its own hands.
