The high-speed growth of intra-African trade, especially after the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement has highlighted the necessity of a more efficient and transparent system of cross-border logistics. Blockchain technology is a potential solution to solve the longstanding problems of African trade logistics such as fraud, inefficiencies, delays, and high transaction costs (Müller et al., 2020). This is a systematic literature review of opportunities to implement blockchain in cross-border logistics in Africa and how it is likely to increase the level of supply chain transparency, traceability, and efficiency. Systematic identification 134 studies that were published between 2018 and 2025 and analyzed in relation to PRISMA priorities (Liberati et al., 2009). The review finds essential blockchain applications, such as smart contract applications, real-time monitoring, and decentralized documentation, to enhance logistics procedures in cross-border trade in Africa (Zhao et al., 2021). Although blockchain seems promising, the review also identifies key obstacles to its usage, such as insufficient digital infrastructure, regulatory issues, and technical capacity (Makhija et al., 2022). The results indicate that blockchain has the potential to significantly enhance cross-border logistics, but its implementation should be coordinated by African governments, technology creators, and logistics stakeholders (Nguyen and Lee, 2023). This review provides information about future research and policy directions to help fast-track the implementation of blockchain technology in the logistics of African trade and specifically addresses the barriers to its implementation.
Omondi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.