Despite being home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Africa still struggles with ports that rank among the least efficient globally.
- Business Insider Africa presents the 5 African countries with the biggest port improvements.
- The list is courtesy of the World Bank Group and S&P Global’s Container Port Performance Index.
- Despite advancements, many African ports still lag behind global standards.
Despite being home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Africa still struggles with ports that rank among the least efficient globally. Years of underinvestment, mismanagement, and congestion have left critical gateways struggling to keep pace with trade demands.
That tide, however, is beginning to turn. Countries are investing heavily to modernise their ports, expand capacity, and embrace technology.
South Africa has begun reviving its ailing port network after years of corruption and mismanagement left operations crippled. State-owned Transnet Port Terminals has ramped up investment in critical equipment in a bid to restore efficiency, though the nation’s harbours still rank among the weakest globally.
Morocco’s Tanger-Med has become one of the fastest-improving ports in the Mediterranean, setting a benchmark for efficiency in the region. Meanwhile, Nigeria and Kenya are pushing ahead with terminal expansions to handle rising cargo volumes and reduce persistent delays.
Yet, according to the World Bank Group and S&P Global’s Container Port Performance Index, Africa’s ports as a whole continue to trail their global peers, with facilities like Durban and Cape Town among the least efficient worldwide.
