Policy Framework
Evidence-Based Solutions for Africa's Landlocked Countries
Comprehensive policy recommendations addressing the unique challenges faced by Africa's 16 landlocked nations to unlock their economic potential and foster sustainable development.
Overview
Addressing the unique challenges of landlocked countries
Africa's 16 landlocked countries face unique and complex development challenges rooted in their geographic constraints. These challenges include:
High Trade Costs
Significantly higher transport and logistics expenses compared to coastal neighbors
Limited Port Access
Dependence on transit countries for sea access creates additional bottlenecks
Infrastructure Deficits
Inadequate transport, energy, and ICT infrastructure hampers economic growth
Transit Dependence
Reliance on neighboring countries' policies and infrastructure
Our Policy Approach
At ALCRC, we support the design, implementation, and advocacy of evidence-based policies that address these pain points and empower landlocked countries to overcome barriers to trade and growth.
Our approach combines rigorous research with practical policy recommendations tailored to the specific contexts of African landlocked countries.
Transit & Trade Facilitation Policies
Reducing barriers to cross-border trade and transit
Freedom of Transit
Promote freedom of transit and unfettered, cost-effective access to and from the sea, in line with international law and regional agreements.
- Implement bilateral transit agreements
- Establish transparent transit fees and charges
- Develop dispute resolution mechanisms
Customs Harmonization
Simplify and harmonize customs procedures, documentation, and border management to reduce delays and costs.
- Adopt ASYCUDA World or similar systems
- Implement pre-arrival processing
- Harmonize product classification systems
One-Stop Border Posts
Develop and implement One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) to streamline cross-border trade.
- Joint control and inspection facilities
- Shared infrastructure and systems
- Coordinated operating hours
Public-Private Partnerships
Encourage public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve trade facilitation infrastructure and services.
- Private sector investment in border infrastructure
- Service level agreements for customs services
- Risk-sharing mechanisms
Infrastructure Development & Maintenance
Building and maintaining critical transport networks
Multimodal Transport Infrastructure
Invest in multimodal transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, and logistics hubs, to connect landlocked countries efficiently to coastal ports.
Implementation Priorities:
- Upgrade key transit corridors to international standards
- Develop dry ports and inland container depots
- Improve last-mile connectivity
Energy & ICT Infrastructure
Prioritize energy and ICT infrastructure to support trade and economic diversification.
Key Actions:
- Expand electricity access to border regions
- Develop digital trade platforms
- Improve telecommunications connectivity
Regional Transport Corridors
Complete missing links in regional transport corridors to enhance connectivity and integration.
Strategic Corridors:
- North-South Corridor (linking Southern Africa to DRC)
- Lagos-Mombasa Highway (West to East Africa)
- Trans-Sahelian Highway (West African connectivity)
Regional Integration & Cooperation
Strengthening cross-border collaboration and harmonization
Regional Economic Communities
Strengthen regional economic communities (RECs) and cross-border cooperation frameworks to harmonize policies and regulations.
AfCFTA Implementation
Implement regional trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to open markets and reduce non-tariff barriers.
Expected Benefits:
- Increase intra-African trade by 52% by 2025
- Reduce average tariffs by 90%
- Create unified market of 1.3 billion people
Joint Infrastructure Planning
Foster institutional capacity for joint infrastructure planning and management.
Key Initiatives:
- Regional infrastructure master plans
- Joint technical committees
- Harmonized standards and regulations
Structural Economic Transformation
Diversifying economies and building competitive advantages
Economic Diversification
Promote diversification away from commodity dependence through value addition, industrialization, and development of services sectors.
Strategic Sectors:
Innovation & Skills Development
Support policies that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development tailored to landlocked countries' contexts.
Access to Finance
Enhance access to finance and investment-friendly environments to attract domestic and foreign investment.
Key Measures:
- Establish special economic zones
- Develop venture capital funds
- Improve credit guarantee schemes
- Streamline investment procedures
Land Governance & Sustainable Use
Ensuring equitable access and sustainable management
Equitable Land Access
Ensure equitable land access and secure tenure, particularly for women and marginalized groups, to support agriculture and rural development.
Gender Focus:
Promote women's land rights and access to productive resources to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
Institutional Strengthening
Strengthen institutions for effective land governance and integrate land policy within broader development strategies.
Priority Actions:
- Digitize land registries
- Strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms
- Develop participatory land use planning
International Support & Implementation
Mobilizing global partnerships and resources
Development Partnerships
Mobilize international partnerships and development aid focused on the specific needs of landlocked countries.
Means of Implementation
Advocate for debt relief, technology transfer, and capacity building aligned with sustainable development goals.
Key Tools:
- Debt-for-development swaps
- Technology transfer agreements
- Technical assistance programs
South-South Cooperation
Promote South-South and triangular cooperation to share best practices and resources.
Examples:
- Knowledge exchange with Asian LLDCs
- Technical cooperation with Latin American partners
- Triangular partnerships with developed countries
International Frameworks Guiding Policy
Global agreements and programs supporting landlocked countries
Vienna Programme of Action
2014–2024A comprehensive framework outlining six priority areas including transit policy, infrastructure, trade facilitation, regional integration, economic transformation, and means of implementation.
Priority Areas:
- Fundamental transit policy issues
- Infrastructure development and maintenance
- International trade and trade facilitation
- Regional integration and cooperation
- Structural economic transformation
- Means of implementation
Almaty Programme of Action
2003Focuses on improving transport infrastructure and trade facilitation to reduce the disadvantages of landlockedness.
Key Focus Areas:
- Transit transport infrastructure
- Trade facilitation measures
- International support measures
- Implementation and review
UNCLOS Article 125
1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) affirms the right of landlocked states to access the sea through transit states under mutually agreed terms.
Key Principles:
- Freedom of transit
- Mutually agreed terms
- Non-discrimination
- Cooperation between states
ALCRC's Role in Policy Support
How we contribute to policy development and implementation
Research & Analysis
Conducting rigorous research to inform policy design and monitor implementation impact.
- Policy impact assessments
- Economic modeling
- Best practice analysis
Policy Dialogue
Facilitating multi-stakeholder policy dialogues and advocacy platforms.
- Annual policy forums
- Technical working groups
- Stakeholder consultations
Capacity Building
Supporting capacity building for governments and regional bodies on trade and transit policies.
- Training workshops
- Technical assistance
- Policy toolkit development
Knowledge Exchange
Promoting knowledge exchange on best practices and innovative policy solutions.
- Policy brief series
- Case study documentation
- International knowledge sharing
Resources & Further Reading
Key documents and publications on landlocked country policies
International Organizations
Research Papers
Get Involved
Join us in advancing policies for landlocked countries
ALCRC invites policymakers, regional organizations, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to collaborate in advancing policies that dismantle barriers for Africa's landlocked countries. Together, we can create an enabling environment for trade, growth, and regional integration.