In 2026, global trade is no longer defined solely by tariffs and logistics efficiency. It is shaped by export controls, sanctions regimes, regulatory divergence, financial monitoring systems, and geopolitical alignment. However, the real question for executives is not simply: Are we compliant? It is: Are we trade-ready? A trade-ready supply chain is one that can: a) Sustain market access under sanctions volatility; b) Pass financial and customs scrutiny without disruption; c) Adapt sourcing networks to regulatory shifts; d) Integrate digital monitoring systems; e) Protect institutional credibility and banking relationships. Do you want to learn more? Save the date: Thursday 19 March 2026. Register here for this webinar organized by the Advanced Institute for Supply Chain Research (AISCR).

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Africa’s trade lifelines run through a handful of critical maritime chokepoints: a strength in global connection, but a weakness in resilience. The ongoing disruption in the Persian Gulf, linked to the Iran crisis, brings this vulnerability into sharp focus. What may seem like a distant geopolitical event is already translating into complex economic shocks across the continent, revealing deep a structural weakness in African supply chains.

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