Dangote Expands Investment in Deep Seaports Across Africa
Business magnate and Chairman of Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, has announced that his conglomerate is expanding its role in the maritime logistics value chain by prioritizing large-scale deep seaport projects across Africa. He made this known at the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) held in Lagos.
Dangote stated that the port investment priority stems from persistent inefficiencies in cargo handling and long vessel waiting times on key West and Central African trade routes. The Nigerian industrialist noted that operators face severe logistical bottlenecks, including waiting periods of up to two weeks or more to discharge cargo in some ports.
He cited his own experiences, such as vessels carrying his goods spending two weeks before discharging at ports in Côte d'Ivoire. Dangote argued that infrastructure gaps, growing congestion at African ports, and their impact on industrial supply chains are constraining business operations and raising costs, linking these issues to a shortage of port infrastructure in the region.
“We are running short of ports. What we need is to encourage entrepreneurs to invest heavily so trade can move faster and revenues can increase,” he said. Dangote called for greater private sector participation in port development, noting that his business empire is shifting from being a port user to a direct developer and operator of maritime infrastructure across Africa.
He also urged a fundamental shift in financing and managing port infrastructure, insisting that the private sector, not governments, should lead in building and operating ports to improve efficiency and boost regional trade. The industrialist confirmed that the group is advancing plans to construct the Olokola Port, which he described as set to become the largest and deepest seaport in Africa once completed. The project could commence this year, pending government approval, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen logistics capacity.
Beyond Nigeria, Dangote revealed that the group is extending its maritime footprint into East Africa with plans for a major port development in Tanzania, following engagements with President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Discussions are ongoing, and the project is expected to move forward once regulatory approvals are secured.
Dangote also highlighted the Lekki Free Trade Zone development as a central pillar of the group's port expansion strategy beyond its traditional industrial operations, describing it as part of a broader ambition to create integrated logistics and industrial hubs capable of handling large-scale cargo throughput.
