The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has warned that Africa risks missing out on maritime opportunities without modern ports. Speaking at the closing session of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) meetings in Lagos, Dantsoho emphasized that the continent cannot achieve meaningful economic growth with obsolete port infrastructure.
Need for Aggressive Investment
Dantsoho, who also serves as PMAWCA President, stressed that aggressive investment in modern ports, deep-sea facilities, and technology is now inevitable for Africa to remain competitive in global trade. He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for providing policy direction aimed at repositioning Nigeria's maritime sector.
According to Dantsoho, modern port infrastructure remains the backbone of economic expansion. He noted that no nation can grow its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) without substantial investment in efficient and modern ports. He stated, “This is an industry that requires huge investment in infrastructure. You cannot make progress with obsolete facilities and still expect to receive newer and larger vessels.”
He drew an analogy with the hospitality industry: “You cannot have a hotel built 50 years ago and expect modern customers to continue coming without refurbishment. It is the same thing with ports.”
Modernization Projects Underway
Dantsoho disclosed that countries across West and Central Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin Republic, are currently undertaking modernization projects aimed at expanding capacity and accommodating larger vessels. While Nigeria is upgrading Apapa and Tin Can Island ports as short- to medium-term measures, the country must ultimately develop more advanced deep-sea ports capable of handling future cargo volumes and global maritime demands.
He described the Lekki Deep Sea Port as a major milestone for Nigeria's maritime sector but stressed that Africa must think bigger to compete with leading global maritime economies. “In Singapore, they are building ports with hundreds of berths. Guinea is developing a $20 billion deep sea port project. These are the kinds of investments Africa must begin to pursue if we want to compete globally,” he said.
Role of Technology
Dantsoho highlighted the growing role of technology, automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics in port administration, noting that digital systems are now central to efficient maritime operations worldwide. The NPA has achieved nearly 90 percent automation in its operations, with electronic payment systems and digital cargo processing improving efficiency across Nigerian ports.
He cited the electronic call-up system introduced at Apapa Port as a key innovation that has significantly reduced gridlock. “Today, you can go into Apapa and leave within minutes. Before now, people spent hours and sometimes slept on the bridge because of congestion,” he said.
Nigeria's Maritime Dominance
Dantsoho further disclosed that Nigeria accounts for more than 70 percent of cargo traffic within the West and Central African sub-region, driven by its large population, strategic location, and role in serving neighbouring landlocked countries such as Niger, Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso. He noted that Nigeria's large consumer market and youthful population present significant opportunities that can only be fully harnessed through sustained investment in maritime infrastructure.
“Our market extends beyond Nigeria because several landlocked countries depend on Nigerian ports. But to sustain that advantage, we must provide deeper waters, stronger quays, and modern infrastructure that can accommodate bigger ships,” he added.
Regional Cooperation
Dantsoho also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation under PMAWCA, noting that member countries are increasingly sharing operational experiences, benchmarks, and reform strategies to improve efficiency across the region. According to him, Africa's future economic growth will depend largely on how quickly the maritime sector adapts to global changes through infrastructure renewal, technological innovation, and stronger regional integration.
