Abstract
We used a data envelopment analysis (DEA) to examine the efficiency and performance of transport systems of landlocked African countries (LLACs). We conducted a comparative performance efficiency analysis of transfer transport systems for LLACs’ corridors. Three different types of DEA models were proposed and used to measure the relative efficiencies of transit transport using a 6-year data set (2008–2013) of some selected LLACs. The results show that the average pure technical and scale efficiency scores are 90.89% and 37.13%, respectively. Two units (13.33%) are technically efficient (technical and scale efficiency) while four units (26.66%) are only purely technically efficient over the observed period. Swaziland was the most efficient corridor while the Central African Republic corridor was the least efficient throughout the monitored years. The results indicate the relevance of minimising trade costs to stimulate landlocked countries’ exports.
 Significance: 
 
 This study is the first efficiency study on transit transport corridors of landlocked African countries.
 DEA is an effective analytical tool for corridors evaluation and can help decision-makers in finding practical solutions.
 Some corridors are efficient, which means that other landlocked countries can learn from these efficient corridors to improve their corridor services.
Highlights
Landlocked can be defined as ‘the geographical situation of a country without direct access to the sea’[1]
Transit neighbours of landlocked African countries (LLACs) are developing countries, often with similar economic structure and beset by similar scarcities of resources. Their fragile infrastructures, complex customs and administrative setup result in higher transaction costs of trade through the transit country, which restricts the capacity of LLACs to compete favourably in international markets.[3]
We further determined the sources of inefficiencies and make proposals for their improvement
Summary
Landlocked can be defined as ‘the geographical situation of a country without direct access to the sea’[1]. Because of the lack of direct access to the sea, landlocked African countries (LLACs) are marginalised from major transportation and services (e.g. logistics, information technology) networks In addition to their long distance to world markets, uncooperative transit procedures (e.g. red tape) and poor infrastructure contribute to an increase in transport and trade costs, thereby reducing international trade and subsequently economic growth.[2]. Transit neighbours of LLACs are developing countries, often with similar economic structure and beset by similar scarcities of resources Their fragile infrastructures, complex customs and administrative setup result in higher transaction costs of trade through the transit country, which restricts the capacity of LLACs to compete favourably in international markets.[3] Companies in LLACs are struggling to get their goods to their destination without major delays, which increases their operating costs. Many authors have shown that these high barriers to trade are a result of geographical location and have institutional and physical factors.[5]
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