By: Julius Konton
In a significant move aimed at enhancing regional maritime cooperation and improving trade facilitation across West Africa, the Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) of Liberia, Sekou A. M. Dukuly, has concluded a high-level working visit to Lagos, Nigeria where he praised Nigeria’s growing investments in port modernization and operational efficiency.
The visit comes at a crucial time for Africa’s maritime sector, as global trade patterns continue shifting and West African ports position themselves to capture larger shares of international cargo traffic.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), over 80 percent of global trade by volume is transported by sea, underscoring the strategic importance of port infrastructure in national and regional economic development.
During the visit, Mr. Dukuly commended Nigeria’s aggressive infrastructure investments, digitization efforts, and modernization strategies, describing them as “a model of transformation” for the region.
“Nigeria’s renewed commitment to strengthening its port system reflects a clear vision of becoming a dominant player in the global maritime sector,” Dukuly said.
“Ports across West Africa remain critical gateways for domestic and international trade, and their efficiency will determine how competitive our economies become.”
Liberia’s port system, manages four commercial ports, including the Freeport of Monrovia, the country’s largest maritime gateway, handling an estimated 85 percent of Liberia’s seaborne trade.
However, like many ports in the region, Liberia faces infrastructure challenges, including aging facilities, cargo delays, and modernization gaps.
By contrast, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of over US$477 billion and a population exceeding 230 million operates six major seaports and accounts for nearly 70 percent of maritime cargo throughput in West Africa, making it a strategic maritime powerhouse in the Gulf of Guinea.
Receiving the Liberian delegation, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of stronger inter-port collaboration within Africa.
“Ports are the primary gateways for Africa’s exports and imports. They are central to facilitating the movement of goods, driving industrialization, and deepening regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Dr. Dantsoho stated.
He noted that rapid population growth, urbanization, and economic diversification across West Africa are placing increased pressure on port systems, making continuous infrastructure upgrades essential.
Industry analysts estimate that African ports currently process over 1.3 billion tons of cargo annually, yet inefficiencies and congestion cost the continent billions of dollars in lost trade opportunities each year.
The World Bank has repeatedly emphasized that reducing port dwell times by just one day can increase trade by nearly 7 percent.
The visit by Hon. Dukuly and his delegation marks what both institutions described as a “strategic milestone” in fostering inter-port partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaborative frameworks aimed at boosting efficiency, reducing logistics costs, and strengthening West Africa’s role in global shipping networks.
As Liberia pursues broader economic reforms under its national development agenda, maritime modernization remains a key pillar for unlocking trade, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing regional connectivity.
The engagement between Liberia and Nigeria signals a growing recognition that Africa’s economic future may well depend on how efficiently its ports connect the continent to the world.
