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With youth unemployment in South Africa reaching 62.4%, the logistics industry is emerging as a potential solution to this national challenge. The sector, driven by e-commerce and digital advancements, offers new career paths for young individuals.
Gregory Saffy, managing director for Sub-Saharan African Operations at FedEx, stated that logistics now provides diverse professional opportunities due to its evolution into a tech-enabled industry. “From supply chain analytics and IT systems integration to customer experience and compliance, logistics is evolving into a dynamic, tech-enabled industry that offers diverse professional avenues for South Africa’s youth,” he said.
Traditional roles such as drivers and packers remain essential but are increasingly supported by technology-driven processes. This transition opens up more technology-focused roles for young job seekers. Saffy emphasized the importance of digital capability in gaining competitive advantage within the sector: “Logistics isn’t what it used to be,” he said. “The real competitive advantage now lies in digital capability, especially in areas like data analytics and systems thinking."
