Dantsoho Urges Enhanced Cybersecurity for African Ports

Dantsoho, the President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), addressed the African Ports Conference in Casablanca, Morocco, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures in African ports. He warned that the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in port operations could lead to significant economic disruptions if cybersecurity is not prioritized.

Dantsoho cited past cyber incidents, including a July 2021 attack on South Africa’s Transnet that forced container terminals to declare force majeure, and disruptions at the Port of Nagoya and DP World terminals in Australia in 2023. He stressed that cybersecurity is essential for maintaining operational integrity and trade continuity.

Dantsoho outlined five principles for enhancing cybersecurity at Nigerian ports, advocating for the integration of cyber protection into broader port security frameworks. He highlighted Nigeria's recent advancements in port digitalization through the National Single Window and the Port Community System, while cautioning that these systems must be safeguarded against cyber threats.