Dantsoho Pushes Green, Blue Economy Agenda as West African Ports Attract Investments Worth Billions
The President of the Ports Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho , has declared that ports across West and Central Africa are entering a new era of transformation driven by sustainability, regional cooperation and multi billion dollar infrastructure investments.
Speaking at the PMAWCA Board Committee Meeting in Lagos on 18th May 2026, Dantsoho said the region’s maritime industry was regaining global relevance after years of stagnation, citing major port development projects across Africa worth over $27 billion.
He listed key projects attracting international attention to include the $20 billion Simandou-Morebaya Deep Sea Port project in Guinea Conakry, the $2 billion Port San Pedro project in Côte d’Ivoire, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port, the $1.5 billion Tema Port expansion in Ghana, and the $1.2 billion Ndayane Port project in Dakar, Senegal.
Dantsoho also highlighted ongoing investments in Nigeria’s port infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of the Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, alongside a $600 million investment in APM Terminals Apapa.
He noted that ports in the region are now attracting renewed international attention after years of limited activity.
The PMAWCA president stressed that African ports must evolve beyond traditional cargo gateways to become centres of broader maritime value creation under the blue economy framework.
According to him, the future of ports in the sub-region lies in sustainable fisheries, renewable marine energy, coastal tourism, aquaculture and marine biotechnology.
He said PMAWCA was already advancing this transition through the West African Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP), a five-year €59 million European Union-funded initiative running from 2024 to 2029 in 13 West African countries.
The programme, implemented in partnership with Expertise France, is focused on promoting climate resilient blue economy policies and greener port operations across the region. Dantsoho said the initiative would help reduce the carbon footprint of ports, encourage cleaner energy adoption and strengthen compliance with international environmental standards. He described the green transition of African ports as necessary for long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
The PMAWCA president also commended Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for supporting reforms in the maritime sector and strengthening Nigeria’s global maritime standing.
He cited Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization in 2025, his emergence as the first Nigerian president of PMAWCA in the association’s 54 year history, and his election as Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors in 2025 as indicators of growing international recognition.
Dantsoho said reforms under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were improving cargo handling efficiency, reducing congestion and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He urged member states to strengthen collaboration and use PMAWCA as a platform for innovation, dialogue and regional integration. He added that West and Central Africa requires world class ports to support economic growth and meet the expectations of citizens across the region.
The PMAWCA Board Committee Meeting brought together maritime and port leaders from Senegal, The Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and other countries across the West and Central African maritime corridor.
One Comment