At Inauguration as IAPH Vice President, Dantsoho Unveils Roadmap for Advancing African Port Development

Following his inauguration as Vice President (Africa) of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr.

Speaking shortly after the ceremony at the recently concluded World Ports Conference, themed “Reinvention and Prosperity in Turbulent Times,” held in Kobe City, Japan, Dantsoho emphasized that his leadership focus would center on effective policy implementation, enhanced collaboration, strengthened cooperation, and improved trade facilitation among African ports.

He noted that while African ports play a vital role in global trade, they continue to face major challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, policy inconsistency, and low levels of technological integration. Dantsoho stressed that his tenure would prioritise unified action among African port authorities and stakeholders to address these issues collectively.

According to him, his administration would drive innovation in port operations to attract sustainable investments, even in challenging environments.

“This responsibility has fired up my resolve more than ever before to champion national and regional policy initiatives aimed at institutionalising environmentally friendly port practices in line with the IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program,” Dantsoho said.

He further highlighted the need for African ports to embrace technological advancement, noting that automation is key to improving operational efficiency and eliminating trade barriers.

“I intend to leverage my position as President of the Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC) to promote deeper collaboration and cooperation,” he stated. “Recognising the catalytic role of automation as the linchpin of port efficiency and sustainability, I will push for full automation of African ports as the most effective means to remove obstacles to trade,” he concluded.