Summary of the article published in “Fatshimetrie”:
The maritime logistics sector in Africa plays a key role in the continent’s drive to become a global trade hub. According to UNCTAD data, Africa represents 2.5% of exports and 3% of imports in global merchandise trade by value by 2020. African ports play a crucial role in this dynamic, by facilitating trade international trade.
Top 10 largest African ports by trade volume:
1. Tanger Med (Morocco): This port is the largest in Africa, with an annual processing capacity of 9 million containers (TEU). In 2022, it handled 7.5 million TEUs, an increase of 6% compared to the previous year.
2. Port Said (Egypt): This Egyptian port has an annual processing capacity of approximately five million tonnes of 20-foot containers.
3. Port of Durban (South Africa): South Africa’s main port terminal, Durban has a handling capacity of 2.9 million TEU and welcomes more than 5,000 ships each year.
4. Lekki Deepwater Port (Nigeria): This Lagos port is the country’s leading deepwater port, with a handling capacity of 2.7 million TEU.
5. Port of Ngqura (South Africa): Newest and deepest port in South Africa, with a handling capacity of approximately 2 million TEU.
6. Lomé (Togo): Ranked third in West Africa, this port can handle 1.8 million TEU and facilitates trade with Asia and Europe.
7. Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast): After expansion work, the port can now handle 1.5 million TEUs per year.
8. Mombasa (Kenya): Strategic port for nine African countries, Mombasa has a processing capacity of 1.65 million containers.
9. Port of Casablanca (Morocco): Among the largest artificial ports in the world, it can handle approximately 1.3 million TEU per year.
10. Port of Doraleh (Djibouti): With a processing capacity of 1.6 million containers, this port connects Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.
These ports play a major role in Africa’s economic dynamism, facilitating international trade and contributing to the development of the continent as a hub for global trade.