Inaugural Road Freight SME Summit and Awards to take place in OctoberGrow Supplier ZA has launched the inaugural Road Freight SME Summit and Awards. The event is set to take place during Transport Month, on 20 and 21 October at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton. It will bring together key stakeholders, industry experts, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to explore opportunities, challenges, and solutions in the ever-evolving road freight sector. Source: ©Ivan Spasic via 123RF The Road Freight SME Summit is tailored specifically to empower SMEs operating in the challenging and ever-changing road freight and transport industry," explains event curator Florence Musundwa. With a focus on knowledge sharing and collaboration, attendees will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to strengthen their businesses and drive sustainable growth." A line-up of distinguished speakers and industry veterans will deliver compelling presentations and engaging discussions on a wide range of topics, including: • Critical success factors for Road freight SMEs "We are thrilled to host the Summit, a unique platform that aims to empower small and medium enterprises in the road freight sector,” says Musundwa. "As the road freight industry undergoes rapid transformation and increasing disruptions, we believe that collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for SMEs to thrive and contribute to the sector's overall advancement." Opportunities for operatorsMusundwa is excited about the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the numerous opportunities it offers to SMEs. "According to the research findings, AfCFTA requires 1,844,000 trucks for bulk cargo and 248,000 trucks for container cargo by 2030. "This increases to 1,945,000 and 268,000 trucks respectively if planned infrastructure projects are also implemented. This is just one example of growth opportunities that strong and sustainable SME operators can access." Confirmed speakers include: • Divya Jain – Founder: Safeeducate (India) SME Road Freight AwardsThe Summit will culminate in the Road Freight SME Awards. The Awards categories are: • Best Technology Innovation |