Digital technologies are essential tools that enable traceability in supply chains. In low-income countries, traceability represents a challenge due to the complicated structure of supply chains and the involvement of multiple stakeholders. This research developed a framework for a digital traceability system (TS), using the Ethiopian coffee supply chain as a case study. A literature review was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of state-of-the-art digital traceability technologies. A logistics audit was conducted to map the coffee supply chain in Ethiopia and evaluate the implementation level of traceability technologies. Although the implementation of traceability technologies in the Ethiopian coffee supply chain is low, the results revealed that the usage of traceability technologies improves downstream of the supply chain. The traceability framework developed in this study ranges from a paper-based TS to a fully digitalised TS. The implementation of a TS in the coffee supply chain of Ethiopia is met with several challenges such as affordability, limited awareness, resistance of certain stakeholders, infrastructure limitations, restricted accessibility of some technologies and insufficient policy frameworks. Stakeholders from low-income countries can use the framework developed in this study to adopt a TS for their supply chains in line with their needs and current digitalisation levels.

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Performance evaluation in logistics is crucial in identifying improvement opportunities. This study assessed performance indicators (PIs) for import–export logistics chains, including transport, dry ports, transhipment and warehouses, focusing on Ethiopia. PIs were identified by means of a literature review. An expert survey based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to obtain weightings for the indicators to allow an evaluation of the overall performance of the country’s import–export chains. Key challenges faced in the sector were also identified. Indicators such as turnaround time and damage frequency were given high weightings by experts for dry port PIs, security was given the highest weighting for transport PIs, and order lead time was given the highest weighting for warehouse PIs. Technological advancements, human resource capacity building and government policies were found to be the main areas that could improve the performance of logistics operations and address the challenges faced by the sector. These findings could provide a new and comprehensive picture of the key performance indicators of Ethiopian import–export logistics chains.@en