West/Central Africa undertakes over $27 billion in port projects – NPA MD

The West & Central Africa region is currently undertaking over $27 billion in port projects, including Simandou-Morebaya ($20B, Guinea), Port San Pedro ($2B, Côte d’Ivoire), Lekki Deep Sea Port ($1.5B), and major upgrades at Apapa, Tin Can Island plus $600M APM Terminals investment.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this in an address at the recent Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Lagos.

According Dr. Dantsoho who is the PMAWCA President, ports must evolve beyond cargo handling into drivers of the blue economy — renewable marine energy, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism and marine biotechnology.

The theme for this session, “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development,” highlights Nigeria’s expanding port capacity and implementing major maritime reforms to become the leading trade and logistics hub in West and Central Africa.