Africa Must Modernize Ports to Compete Globally

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), stated that Africa cannot afford to lag in global maritime trade due to outdated port infrastructure. Speaking at a Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) meeting in Lagos, he noted that modernizing ports is essential for economic growth and accommodating larger vessels.

Dantsoho commended President Bola Tinubu and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for their policy direction in Nigeria's maritime sector. He pointed out that no country can expand its GDP without modernizing its port industry, which requires significant investment.

Dantsoho mentioned Nigeria's efforts to refurbish Apapa and Tin Island ports as medium-term solutions and highlighted the Lekki Deep Sea Port as a step towards developing modern facilities. He also discussed the importance of technology, automation, and data-driven systems in improving maritime operations, noting that Nigeria handles 70% of cargo traffic in the West and Central African sub-region.