Trump tariffs could supercharge South Africa’s warehousing boom

US tariffs on Chinese goods may deal a blow to global trade, but for South Africa, they could be a launchpad. As Chinese exporters seek new markets to replace the tariff-walled United States, Africa is fast becoming the next frontier. And South Africa is perfectly positioned to be the continent’s primary landing zone.

We are already seeing warehouses fill up with redirected Chinese imports. But this is not a short-term blip – it is the beginning of a structural shift. As global supply chains reconfigure, South Africa’s industrial property market is preparing for a sustained surge in logistics and warehousing. The race is on. The world is moving from just-in-time to just-in-case supply chains, and South Africa is at the centre of that shift.

A global rerouting with local rewards
South Africa’s warehousing sector is entering its most dynamic phase in decades. With the US market becoming less viable for Chinese exporters, goods are being rerouted to friendlier, fast-growing consumer regions. Africa offers scale, but South Africa offers infrastructure. From deepwater ports and modern highways to a dependable legal and financial ecosystem, we are the natural entry point for goods entering the continent.

At Inospace, we have invested over R1 billion in the past 12 months to expand our network of last-mile logistics parks. Yet even our newest facilities are being snapped up by e-commerce operators, wholesalers and logistics firms. Low vacancies and growing demand show that this is no passing trend. It marks the birth of a new supply chain geography – and we are in the right place at the right time.

Jobs, growth and a revitalised ecosystem
This shift is about more than just buildings. It is unlocking thousands of jobs – from forklift drivers and pickers to software engineers and supply chain analysts. The broader ecosystem, from pallet producers to delivery fleets, is expanding rapidly. What poses a challenge for some economies is a golden opportunity for South Africa’s warehousing and logistics industry.

A gateway to the continent
As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gradually lowers trade barriers, South Africa has a rare opportunity to cement its role as the region’s distribution hub. Chinese goods can land, be stored, customised and shipped to cities across the continent. The same applies to US and European goods looking for a launchpad into Africa.

Our competitive edge lies in value-added logistics – customisation, re-packaging, light assembly and on-demand fulfilment. This not only strengthens our trade positioning but also creates new jobs and services that expand our industrial capabilities.

Turning trade tensions into growth
Yes, there are risks, especially the threat of low-cost dumping. But these can be managed through smart trade enforcement, targeted industrial support and infrastructure investment. More importantly, there is significant upside: a re-globalised trade map where South Africa is no longer on the periphery, but at the centre.

We are not simply reacting to global trade shifts - we are leveraging them. Warehousing is fast becoming a strategic national asset, and South Africa is uniquely placed to lead.

The future is stocked
As tariffs and geopolitics reshape the global economy, South Africa has an opportunity to win. By embracing our role as Africa’s import and distribution nerve centre, we can turn short-term trade detours into long-term development. Warehousing, once overlooked, is now one of the most powerful growth levers in our economic arsenal.