非洲倉儲轉機

在全球地緣政治緊張升溫、近岸外包（nearshoring）與貿易版圖重組加速之際，非洲正迎來重新定位為區域與全球供應鏈樞紐的歷史性機遇。然而，專家指出，若要真正承接產業轉移紅利，除強化港口與運輸走廊建設外，更需同步推動現代化、永續且以技能為核心的倉儲體系升級。

As geopolitical tensions, nearshoring trends and shifting trade dynamics drive companies to diversify sourcing and manufacturing, Africa has an opportunity to position itself as a regional and global supply chain hub. Realizing this potential, however, requires investment in ports, transport corridors and modern, sustainable, skills-driven warehousing.

根據南非供應鏈專業組織 SAPICS 表示，倉儲早已從過去的後勤支援角色，轉型為影響供應鏈效率與企業競爭力的關鍵樞紐。倉庫選址、容量規劃與科技導入，直接決定配送網絡結構、市場反應速度，以及企業在面對供應鏈中斷時的韌性與彈性。在即時生產（Just-in-time）與強調韌性的混合物流模式並行、全通路零售崛起及跨境供應鏈日益複雜的背景下，倉儲已成為企業策略布局的重要槓桿。

Warehousing has evolved into a strategic asset shaping distribution speed, resilience and operational performance. According to SAPICS, ineffective warehouses can undermine entire supply chains by compromising product availability, safety and delivery reliability.

市場數據亦顯示非洲倉儲需求快速升溫。根據 Knight Frank 發布的《Africa Industrial Market Dashboard》，約翰尼斯堡、奈洛比與拉各斯等重點市場的現代化倉庫出租率已升至約85%，較2023年上半年78%明顯攀升；其中約翰尼斯堡的優質倉儲租金同期上漲7%。此一趨勢反映市場需求強勁，但同時也凸顯高品質、符合現代物流需求設施供給不足的結構性問題。

Data from Knight Frank show that occupancy rates for modern warehouses in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Lagos have risen to approximately 85%, up from 78% in early 2023, while prime rentals in Johannesburg

在全球層面，DP World 於《Global Trade Observatory Annual Outlook Report 2026》中指出，「倉儲與物流樞紐」為企業高階主管認為最亟需基礎建設投資的營運領域，進一步確認倉儲已成為提升貿易競爭力的核心基礎設施，而非邊緣配套。

have increased by 7%. Meanwhile, DP World’s Global Trade Observatory Annual Outlook Report 2026 identifies warehousing and logistics hubs as the top infrastructure priority for logistics executives.

隨著電子商務在非洲快速成長，逆物流（reverse logistics）也成為倉儲營運面臨的重大挑戰。全球部分品類的網購退貨率高達40%，遠高於實體通路的5%至10%。SAPICS指出，較高的退貨率可能額外增加多達20%的倉儲空間與人力需求，用於商品檢驗、重新包裝、整新或處置。對於未在設計階段納入逆向物流動線規劃的倉庫而言，這將導致壅塞、成本上升與營運複雜度提高。因此，導入智慧化倉儲設計、彈性空間配置與數位追蹤系統，已成為優化正逆向物流管理的必要條件。

Rising e-commerce return volumes are adding complexity. In some categories, global online return rates reach up to 40%, compared with 5% to 10% for in-store purchases. SAPICS estimates that reverse logistics can require up to 20% additional warehouse space and labour.

然而，科技並非萬靈丹。SAPICS強調，唯有具備專業技能的人才，方能充分發揮自動化設備、AI倉儲管理系統與數據分析工具的效益。現代倉儲管理者需兼具營運專業、數位素養、問題解決能力及永續管理意識。為彌補技能落差，SAPICS推出多項教育與認證課程，包括基礎倉儲與庫存管理課程（BSSC），以及與 Association for Supply Chain Management（ASCM）合作的永續供應鏈管理培訓，並提供 International Supply Chain Education Alliance（ISCEA）之永續供應鏈專業認證課程。

Technology alone will not close Africa’s warehousing gap. Skilled professionals capable of managing digital systems, automation and sustainability strategies are essential. SAPICS offers training programmes including Basic Stores & Stock Control (BSSC), as well as sustainability certifications in partnership with ASCM and ISCEA.

在永續轉型方面，SAPICS指出，倉儲設施的能源使用是供應鏈減碳最具可控性且成效顯著的槓桿之一。相較於原材料與產品使用環節，企業對自有設施的能源來源與效率改善擁有更高決策主導權。特別是在南非及部分面臨電力供應壓力與能源成本上升的地區，投資節能設備與再生能源解決方案，不僅有助於降低碳排放，更是提升營運穩定性與成本競爭力的關鍵策略。

Energy efficiency in warehouses is also emerging as a powerful lever for reducing supply chain emissions. In energy-constrained regions such as South Africa, investments in sustainable facilities are both environmentally and economically critical.

SAPICS總結指出，非洲倉儲產業正處於關鍵轉折點。在需求上升、貿易格局重塑與消費者期望提高的多重驅動下，未能及時升級的倉儲設施恐成為限制經濟成長的瓶頸；反之，若能朝智慧化、永續化與技能導向發展，倉儲將成為推動經濟成長、企業成功與就業創造的重要引擎。

At this crossroads, under-invested warehouses risk becoming bottlenecks. Conversely, smart, sustainable and skills-powered facilities can act as catalysts for economic growth, competitiveness and job creation across the continent.