Our Mission

LEARN Logistics provides local education opportunities to guarantee the consistent supply of Graduates and experts for logistics and supply chain markets in low- and middle-income countries. We focus on strengthening higher education at university level through the development of LSCM degrees, and believe that only local capacity building programs will be able to address specific country needs and requirements to facilitate international aid and economic development sustainably.

Our Legacy

The legacy of LEARN Logistics is to close the education gap in LSCM-related higher and further education by providing technical assistance and financial support for long-term capacity building in exposed countries. LEARN Logistics distinguishes itself from similar initiatives by providing the required support directly in the impacted geographical areas, with local ground staff, and for a significant period of time to actually make an impact.

Current research shows that there is a lack of university programs offering LSCM studies in Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa there is between a 20-30% LSCM skill deficit compared to high performing countries (e.g., Denmark, USA) at all levels – operational, administrative, supervisory, and managerial. Africa is particularly affected by shortage of LSCM talent for managerial positions which will make a continuous economic development more challenging. Although, there is an increased demand for skilled LSCM professionals, there is still a lack of quantity and quality in higher Education-programs in LSCM.

Therefore, LEARN Logistics engages with local universities as eye-level partners instead of beneficiaries, and the range of LSCM programs are built in a mutual partnership, highly customizable, and to the local universities’ specific needs. With such in-country built expertise, local stakeholders shall be capable of delivering LSCM services meeting international standards in the future. This approach will enable low- and middle-income countries to become independent from international economic aid, and become more resilient and prepared to confront future setbacks

Background

Logistics and supply chain management has come more and more to the forehead of decision makers in low- and middle-income countries. It has well been established that economic development is tightly linked to the capabilities in the broader field of logistics. Regarding the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) by the World Bank, a general pattern can be observed that high-income nations perform significantly better than low- and middle-income countries. It can therefore be reasonably argued that improvements in the logistical sector can help to develop other economic sectors in poorly performing countries. Logistics and supply chain management has begun to be understood as a levering factor:

a) to connect the local markets to the global economy,
b) To improve the living conditions of the populations also in rural areas
c) To increase efficiency in operations and improve the competitiveness of business domestically and internationally.

It can be concluded that besides e.g., health, finance and construction, LSCM has become a key sector that is essential for the economic development and eventually for the development of living conditions of each individual. Without contemporary structures, processes, and knowledge, countries will hardly be capable of achieving their goal to progress further with their economy and to eventually overcome poverty. Whereas logistics and supply chain management already play a critical role in the daily routines of distribution of food, goods, and healthcare products, its role will even be more exposed during recurrent crises (e.g. HIV epidemic, draughts) or sudden crises (e.g. COVID-19 epidemic, earthquake) that disrupt a nation’s functioning. In alleviating such crises, effective logistics systems are even more needed to serve the population with life-essential goods, and to prevent economic recessions.

With regards to the international development community as well as the international aid community, a recurring pattern to improve LSCM performance transpired over the last couple of decades. Although vast sums of funding have been released for logistics capacity building, economic development as well as to respond to the overwhelming demand during crises, most of the funding has not been used efficiently and effectively due to lack of talent, expertise, and the incapacity of local stakeholders.

International organizations often decide to deploy foreign LSCM expertise and capacities to low- and middle-income countries to address the identified gaps and needs. However, such a problem solving approach might not meet the requirements for sustainable improvements for businesses and beneficiaries. LEARN Logistics therefore prefers to dedicate more funding to local capacity building programs to achieve actual changes in LSCM operations. Such continuous improvements will then be based upon locally created expertise and driven by in-country educated professionals and academics. Disappointingly, funding for such kind of lasting and comprehensive education programs in LSCM is still sporadic and scarce.