The West African seaboard: A new global nexus emerges

West Africa is fast emerging as an unlikely yet increasingly credible destination for liner shipping’s ultra‑large containerships (ULCs), fundamentally altering global maritime dynamics. The region, once a secondary market, has become a viable ULC deployment zone due to recent infrastructure upgrades and strategic positioning. Furthermore, the rerouting of Asia–Europe traffic around the Cape of Good Hope has provided a timely testing ground for the industry.

Why now?

This transformation is being accelerated by a confluence of factors: geopolitical shifts—including supply‑chain de‑risking and rising maritime disruption elsewhere—energy realignments (such as offshore gas discoveries in West African coastal states and emerging renewable energy zones), and renewed global infrastructure capital flows targeting strategic maritime corridors. In this moment, West Africa offers a compelling combination of geography, untapped capacity, and investment momentum.

A reshaping of global trade routes

The West African maritime hub is experiencing a profound transformation. Its box trade has surged by nearly 50% in under a decade, outstripping global averages. This volume increase laid the commercial groundwork for carriers to consider ULC deployments, but robust infrastructure, rather than mere market appetite, proved the enabler. Indeed, since June 2022, the average vessel size deployed to West Africa has grown by 50%, with shipping lines progressively introducing larger vessels, some exceeding 16,000 TEU. MSC, in particular, has strategically bolstered its West Africa network, anticipating substantial growth opportunities.

In 2021, Africa’s maritime trade, encompassing both loaded and discharged goods, reached 1.3 billion tonnes, marking a 5.6% increase over the previous year. The continent accounted for 6.9% of total goods loaded and 5% of total goods discharged, underscoring its growing, albeit still developing, role in global trade flows. The Red Sea rerouting provided an unexpected, yet invaluable, stress test for West Africa’s ULC port infrastructure capabilities, as shipping lines seized the moment for ad‑hoc wayport calls and regional transshipment. This dynamic suggests that the West African maritime hub is not merely a temporary phenomenon but a structural realignment.

Comparative context: West Africa vs. other African regions

To frame the magnitude of the shift, it is useful to compare West Africa’s intra‑regional trade dynamics to those of other subregions. In 2023, intra‑African trade reached U.S. $192 billion, growing 7.2% year-over-year and representing about 15% of the continent’s total trade. Within that, West Africa accounted for 25.7% of intra‑African trade, while East Africa accounted for 14.1%.

This suggests that West Africa is a dominant player in regional connectivity. While East Africa has made strides, its share remains substantially lower in comparative terms.

Here is an illustrative (non‑exhaustive) table that could accompany the text in published form:

Region / Subregion	Share of Intra‑African Trade*	Notes / Contextual Comment
West Africa	~ 25.7% (2023)	Largest subregional contributor to intra‑Africa trade in 2023 (pacci.org)
East Africa	~ 14.1% (2023)	Significant but comparatively smaller share (media.afreximbank.com)
Africa overall	—	Intra‑Africa trade ≈ 15% of total African trade (pacci.org)

* Based on formal trade statistics; informal cross‑border trade may increase effective shares.

The table is indicative; in a final layout, more granular data per major port (TEU growth, absolute volumes) could be included if reliable sources exist.

© African Maritime Council

Strategic investments and port development

The narrative of West Africa’s maritime ascendancy is intrinsically linked to targeted investments in its key port facilities. These developments are not merely incremental; they represent a concerted effort to establish a robust West African maritime hub capable of handling the demands of modern global commerce.

Lomé Port, Togo

The Port of Lomé is poised to manage nearly 4 million containers, with the Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) spanning 50 hectares. LCT’s estimated handling capacity stands at 2.2 million TEU annually, with further expansion plans firmly in place [5].

In 2024, Lomé Port processed 2.06 million TEU (up from 1.9 million TEU the prior year, +8%), solidifying its regional leadership and distinguishing it as the sole sub‑Saharan port to handle such volumes. The port has also completed dredging operations to accommodate 24,000 TEU vessels, as part of a €120 million upgrade program extending to 2027. Crucially, Lomé is the only natural deep‑water port in West Africa, making it an attractive investment prospect. MSC, in collaboration with China Merchant Holdings, inaugurated LCT in 2014, pioneering a hub‑and‑spoke model that redefined regional logistics [1].

Abidjan Port, Côte d’Ivoire

Abidjan Port operates as a significant container facility, with a handling capacity of 1.5 million TEU achieved after an $80 million expansion in 2015. The second container terminal, Côte d’Ivoire Terminal (CIT), was completed in October 2022 and officially became operational in November 2022, further augmenting its capacity.

The port’s container traffic doubled in three years (850,000 → 1.6 million TEU), and it handled 34.7 million tonnes in 2023. In 2024, the port managed over 40 million tonnes of cargo, marking a 15.6% increase from 2023. Container throughput grew by 33%, reaching 1,646,304 TEU. Modernisation efforts, such as the widening and deepening of the Vridi Canal, have been aided by substantial Chinese technical and financial support.

Tema Port, Ghana

Tema Port, Ghana’s largest seaport, spans approximately 5.5 million m² and has a drydock capacity of 100,000 DWT. In 2023, it handled 18 million tonnes of cargo, and with recent expansions, its throughput is expected to continue growing. Recognized as the largest port in West and Central Africa in terms of container handling, Tema can now accommodate vessels of up to 22,000 TEU—a significant increase from the previous 5,000 TEU limit.

The port’s expansion project, completed in October 2025, increased its annual container handling capacity to 3.7 million TEU. This was achieved through the construction of a 1.4 km quay, a 4 km breakwater, and a 19 m deep access channel, along with 270,000 m² of additional operational and storage space. The $1.5 billion investment is managed by Meridian Port Services (MPS), a joint venture between APM Terminals, Africa Global Logistics (AGL, formerly Bolloré Africa Logistics), and the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA).

This expansion solidifies Tema’s position as a critical gateway for maritime trade in West and Central Africa, supporting larger vessels and higher throughput than ever before.

Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria

Lekki Port is Nigeria’s deepest seaport, with a draught of 16.5 meters, and is engineered for an ultimate capacity of approximately 6 million TEU of container traffic alongside bulk cargo throughput. As the country’s first deep seaport, it can accommodate vessels up to 300 meters long with full maneuverability.

Operations began in April 2023, with the first phase covering 90 hectares and providing an initial capacity of 2.5 to 2.7 million containers annually. The project cost included approximately $1.53 billion in fixed assets and $800 million for construction. Over its 45-year concession period, the port’s total projected economic impact is estimated at $361 billion, with the creation of nearly 170,000 jobs.

The port was developed by Lekki Port Investment Holdings Inc., a joint venture with a majority stake held by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The project was significantly financed by a $629 million loan from the China Development Bank.

Pointe-Noire Port, Republic of Congo

The port of Pointe-Noire is undergoing a significant expansion, which includes dredging and the construction of a new 750-meter quay expected by 2027. This development will more than double its container capacity from 1.2 million to 2.3 million TEU annually. The port currently has a total quay length of 1,500 meters across multiple berths and storage for approximately 27,000 containers, including a bonded area.

While the official operator, APM Terminals, states the port can accommodate vessels up to 8,500 TEU, other industry sources report it is already handling 14,000 TEU vessels. The terminal boasts an average productivity exceeding 60 moves per hour with low dock wait times.

Africa Global Logistics (AGL) is investing up to €1 billion by 2027, with €450 million already committed to the port’s development since 2009. A recent financing agreement of approximately €230 million has been secured for the current expansion, which has a total project cost of around €361 million.

Comparative Note Across Ports

Collectively, Lomé and Tema command a dominant share of container throughput in West Africa, reinforcing their status as core nodes in regional maritime networks. Meanwhile, Lekki’s deep-water potential positions it as a rising competitor that may gradually attract rerouted ULC calls and influence corridor alignments toward Nigeria’s industrial and consumer markets.

Charting the course ahead

West Africa stands at a pivotal juncture in its evolution as a global trade nexus. The substantial infrastructure investments, the proliferation of deep‑water ports capable of accommodating ULCs, and the adoption of sophisticated hub‑and‑spoke models have fundamentally transformed the region’s capacity to manage and attract international trade.

The recent rerouting of maritime routes has merely accelerated this process, providing an invaluable real-world examination of these nascent infrastructures. With sustained development and strategic partnerships, the West African maritime hub is poised to further consolidate its position within the global shipping industry, effectively connecting continents and driving regional economic growth.

Strategic amplification via BRI and energy transitions

West Africa is increasingly a focal point within China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In 2023, African nations attracted $21.7 billion in new BRI-related deals, including investments in ports, railways, and renewable energy projects. Chinese construction contracts in Africa rose by 47%, and overall investment flows jumped 114% in that year, reflecting a renewed push toward maritime and hinterland connectivity.

Such flows not only underwrite port upgrades but also tie West Africa into broader transcontinental infrastructure corridors. Additionally, energy‑sector shifts—especially around offshore gas and emerging solar/wind capacity—may catalyze industrial zones near coastal hubs, enhancing local cargo flows and value chain capture.

As global supply chains increasingly emphasize resilience, diversification, and regionalization, West Africa’s emergence as a maritime hub may well redefine not only trade routes—but the balance of maritime power itself.