By Jennete Ugo Anya
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has pledged to drive a new era of innovation, cooperation, and sustainability across Africa’s maritime sector following his inauguration as Vice President (Africa) of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
Speaking shortly after his inauguration at the World Ports Conference in Kobe City, Japan, themed ‘Reinvention and Prosperity in Turbulent Times,’ Dr. Dantsoho outlined a continental agenda focused on effective policy implementation, enhanced regional collaboration, and trade facilitation as core strategies for advancing port development in Africa.
“This responsibility has fired up my resolve more than ever before to be the vanguard of galvanising national and regional policy action steps geared towards institutionalising ports’ eco-friendliness in line with the dictates of IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program,” he stated.
Africa’s ports, which handle a significant portion of the continent’s trade, continue to face persistent challenges – from infrastructure gaps and inconsistent policies to limited technological adoption. Dr. Dantsoho, however, believes these barriers can be addressed through unified action among African port authorities, governments, and private sector stakeholders.
“Reinvention and prosperity in turbulent times through the deployment of port innovativeness to capture tangible, sustainable investment returns in high-risk environments is a global exigency that the world can most efficiently surmount if IAPH members speak with one voice through renewed collaboration and cooperation,” he said.
Driving Digital Transformation and Sustainability
As part of his agenda, Dr. Dantsoho said he would leverage his dual role as President of the Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC) to foster deeper ties among regional port administrations, while pushing for full automation across African ports.
He emphasized that automation remains the linchpin of efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness in modern port operations, noting that it would not only improve trade facilitation but also eliminate bottlenecks that hinder intra-African commerce.
“Cognisant of the catalytic role of automation as the linchpin of ports’ efficiency and sustainability, I intend to infuse greater action behind the necessity of full automation of African Ports as the most veritable tool for elimination of trade barriers,” he added.
Towards a Greener and More Competitive Maritime Future
Under Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership, the IAPH Africa chapter is expected to promote eco-friendly port practices, technological innovation, and sustainable investment models – aligning with global efforts under the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) to reduce carbon emissions and modernize port infrastructure.
In advocating stronger regional cooperation and a shared commitment to modernization, Dr. Dantsoho’s agenda signals a new phase in Africa’s port evolution – one that aims to position the continent’s maritime gateways as key drivers of global trade and economic resilience.
