Africa’s Ports Need Massive Upgrades to Compete Globally, Says Dantsoho
Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, warns that outdated port infrastructure is holding back economic growth across the continent. He says aggressive investment in modern harbours, deep-sea facilities and new technologies is essential for Africa to stay competitive in global trade. He praised recent policy direction from the federal government and highlighted ongoing upgrades at Apapa, Tin Can Island and the Lekki Deep Sea Port. Dantsoho also emphasised the role of automation, artificial intelligence and data-driven systems in streamlining port operations. He noted that the Nigerian Ports Authority has reached nearly 90% automation, cutting congestion and speeding up cargo processing. Nigeria currently handles over 70% of West and Central Africa’s cargo traffic, thanks to its population size and strategic position. Dantsoho urged regional collaboration under PMAWCA to share best practices and pursue larger, more sophisticated deep-sea projects.
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