Regional Overview:
Africa’s maritime infrastructure is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by foreign investment, regional trade agreements, and growing intra-African commerce. While the continent still faces infrastructure challenges, several key ports—particularly in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya—are emerging as strategic gateways for global trade. Transshipment and regional connectivity are becoming major growth drivers, especially at ports like Tanger Med and Durban.
1. Port of Tanger Med (Morocco)
Africa’s largest container port and a rising transshipment hub connecting Europe, West Africa, and the Americas.
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Annual Container Volume: 8.6 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Re-export goods, automotive parts, industrial products
2. Port of Durban (South Africa)
The busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa and a vital entry point for Southern Africa’s inland economies.
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Annual Container Volume: 2.6 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Chemicals, minerals, consumer goods
3. Port of Said / East Port Said (Egypt)
Located at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, it plays a major transshipment role between Asia and Europe.
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Annual Container Volume: 2.4 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Transshipment containers, machinery
4. Port of Alexandria (Egypt)
Egypt’s primary domestic trade port on the Mediterranean coast.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.8 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Food products, chemicals, industrial supplies
5. Port of Mombasa (Kenya)
East Africa’s main gateway, serving Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and parts of the DRC.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.6 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Agricultural goods, construction materials, machinery
6. Port of Lagos / Apapa and Tin Can (Nigeria)
West Africa’s busiest port complex, crucial for Nigeria’s import-driven economy.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.5 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Electronics, textiles, food products
7. Port of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)
A rising regional hub in Francophone West Africa with deep-water expansion underway.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.2 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Cocoa, rubber, consumer goods
8. Port of Tema (Ghana)
Modernized in recent years through a PPP model, serving as a logistics hub for West Africa.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.1 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Electronics, processed food, construction supplies
9. Port of Djibouti (Djibouti)
Strategically located at the Red Sea’s entrance, vital to Ethiopia’s foreign trade.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.0 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Goods in transit, petroleum, electronics
10. Port of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
East Africa’s second-largest port and a growing logistics node for landlocked nations.
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Annual Container Volume: 950,000 TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Agricultural products, mining equipment, general cargo