Geologistics and the Reconfiguration of Africa–Americas Trade Corridors in 2026 Introducing the Geologistics Quadri-Pillar Framework (GQF) A Conceptual Paper

Abstract

Mahmoud El Hassouni

The fragmentation of global supply chains, the securitization of critical minerals, and the reconfiguration of transcontinental trade corridors in a multipolar world demand analytical framework that transcend the disciplinary boundaries of classical geopolitics, geo-economics, and supply chain management. Existing theoretical models address these dimensions in isolation, producing fragmented insights that fail to capture the integrated power logic now structuring international trade flows. Contemporary realities — from China's Belt and Road Initiative reshaping Eurasian connectivity to the reconfiguration of Africa-Americas trade corridors driven by critical mineral competition — reveal a systemic gap: no existing framework simultaneously integrates geological constraints, logistical architecture, geopolitical strategy, and cultural capital as co-determinants of corridor power.

This article addresses this gap by introducing geologistics as an original transdisciplinary concept, defined as an integrative analytical discipline that examines how the control of physical flows — from geological extraction to final market — constitutes the primary determinant of state power and industrial sovereignty in an era of structural interdependence. Unlike purely descriptive constructs, geologistics operates across the full strategic spectrum — from operational ground-level decisions to macro-strategic positioning — enabling decision-makers to diagnose vulnerabilities, anticipate disruptions, and design terrain-grounded solutions. To operationalize this concept, the article proposes the Geologistics Quadri-Pillar Framework (GQF), a novel analytical matrix articulating four structural pillars — geological endowment, logistics infrastructure, geostrategic governance, and cultural & epistemic capital — across three levels of analysis: macro-strategic, managerial, and operational. These pillars are activated by a cross-cutting dimension of strategic flow control that renders the framework dynamic rather than static. The GQF's compatibility with network theory and game theory further positions geologistics as a prospective strategic instrument. The article contributes to supply chain theory, economic geography, and strategic studies by positioning geologistics as a foundational research field, and concludes with a structured agenda for future empirical investigation.

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