DP World explores opportunities to develop logistics capabilities in Africa
Oct 03, 2016: Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, and Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (FZE), has welcomed efforts by African nations to improve their infrastructure, an essential pillar for building a growing economy and connecting the continent to the world.
On a tour of Africa this week, Bin Sulayem visited a number of countries notably Nigeria, where he met with Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State and discussed ways to develop logistics services and to increase their efficiency and use. Bin Sulayem highlighted the valuable role of DP World in its capacity as a global trade enabler, exporting its knowledge and experience and also the development expertise of the UAE and Dubai in growing innovative logistic capabilities and modern infrastructure worldwide.
Bin Sulayem, said, “Our global portfolio of 77 operating marine and inland terminals across six continents demonstrates our capabilities in different markets. The productive partnerships we have forged with governments, especially in Africa, which represents a major part of our network, underlines how public and private sector organisations working together can look to develop the infrastructure needed to support economic growth and attract investment.”
The report noted that the continent’s ports do not play a significant role in international marine shipping and that port vessel turnaround times lag behind other markets. Other modes of transport such as rail also need encouraging given Africa’s size. It concluded that growth in Africa brings new challenges and that a range of policies from regional free trade agreements to improved Public-Private Partnership frameworks across a large number of countries are gaining momentum suggesting that the enabling environment for infrastructure development is improving.
DP World has existing operations in Senegal, Egypt, Mozambique, Djibouti, and Algeria and recently signed an agreement with the Republic of Somaliland to invest in a multi-purpose port project at Berbera. It secured a 25-year concession to develop and operate a new logistics center in Kigali, Rwanda at the beginning of 2016.
