The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has emphasized the urgent need for the completion of international highways and rail projects to improve efficient service delivery to landlocked countries in Africa.
He argued that such infrastructure developments are essential for reducing costs and ensuring seamless connectivity between hinterland and coastal regions.
Dr. Dantsoho made this assertion during his presentation at the 44th Annual Council and 19th Roundtable of Directors General of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) ongoing in Conakry, Guinea.
Highlighting the global scenario, he noted that 16 of the world’s 44 landlocked countries are in Africa, stressing the moral duty of coastal states to facilitate access to the sea for their landlocked neighbours.
He pointed out that emerging trends in global trade have raised critical questions about how to effectively serve the hinterland without scrambling for resources and how coastal states can build shared capacities to provide services to landlocked countries efficiently and cost-effectively.
According to him, achieving these goals requires the sustained pursuit and completion of major international highway projects, such as the Niger-Lagos-Tema-Abidjan corridor, and the development of international rail networks cutting across hinterland and coastal states. He also stressed the importance of leveraging mutual strengths to facilitate trade, sharing advancements in technology for improved service delivery, and promoting technological connectivity among littoral states to expedite transit cargo, particularly in areas requiring multi-modal transportation.
Dr. Dantsoho underscored the need for multilateral agreements and trading partnerships with neighboring coastal countries and other regional partners to harmonize policies and infrastructure investments. He described the proposed ECOWAS-backed Abidjan-Lagos highway as a welcome initiative, noting that it would link some of the most economically dynamic cities and ports in West Africa while connecting the most densely populated urban areas in the region.
He highlighted the necessity of aligning regulations and procedures to facilitate smooth cargo movement, particularly for transshipment cargo, while emphasizing joint initiatives for security, safety, and environmental protection. He further called for collaboration on vessel scheduling to reduce congestion and enhance efficiency, combining cargo volumes to negotiate better rates with shipping lines, and sharing best practices for terminal operations and capacity utilization. Additionally, he stressed the importance of collaboration in developing inland waterway connections, joint contingency planning for emergencies or disruptions, and fostering diplomatic and cultural exchange programs to build trust and cooperation among stakeholders.
Dr. Dantsoho stated that if these measures are implemented effectively, they would result in increased efficiency, improved competitiveness, reduced costs, enhanced customer satisfaction, and better utilization of resources. He emphasized the interdependence between maritime shipping and the hinterland, stating that overcoming challenges associated with the fluidity of port operations requires a strong connection between the maritime space and the hinterland. He concluded by advocating for a diversified approach to optimize hinterland connectivity, combining infrastructure development, digital advancement, and diplomatic cooperation, which he believes PMAWCA is well-equipped to drive.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Port Autonome de Conakry, Mamadou Biro Diallo, emphasized the critical role of ports as hubs of global trade and catalysts for economic growth. He noted that for this growth to be meaningful, it must extend beyond the port interface into the hinterland, with connectivity and the fluidity of logistics chains playing decisive roles.
Diallo stated that the Port Autonome de Conakry prioritizes addressing these challenges by supporting the development of hinterland countries and providing quality services. He called for a holistic approach that integrates sustainable infrastructure investment, strong collaboration between public and private players, and greater adoption of new technologies.
“Optimizing port hinterland services requires an integrated vision of connectivity, fluidity, and reliability,” he said. “Together, we can meet these challenges and create more efficient supply chains that will support not only local economies but also global trade.”
The discussions reinforced the critical need for regional cooperation and investment to bridge the gap between ports and hinterlands, ensuring sustainable economic growth for all stakeholders.
