Africa CEO Forum

Building resilient trade all the way

Supporting Africa’s growth with connected, lower‑carbon supply chains

Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest‑growing economies and sits at the crossroads of global trade. From resource exports to rising manufacturing and consumer markets, the continent’s trade potential continues to expand. Yet many key trade corridors still face congestion, fragmented processes and a history of under‑investment. These factors drive up the cost of trade and limit competitiveness.

Transparent public‑private partnerships provide governments with a proven means to upgrade ports and inland corridors, connect them into integrated systems and unlock sustained trade growth potential.

Seamless integration of land & sea

As a preferred strategic partner for governments, APM Terminals – part of A.P. Moller‑Maersk – invests in and operates future‑ready terminals that raise safety and productivity while delivering predictable port performance.

This port performance is extended beyond the gate through Maersk’s integrated ocean and inland logistics network, supported by end‑to‑end digital visibility. Importers and exporters benefit from more reliable flows and lower costs, while countries are supported in transforming logistics bottlenecks into sustained trade growth and stronger investment confidence.

Resilience through future‑ready, predictable ports

Predictability is also one of the most effective drivers of decarbonisation. Reducing waiting times before arrival, alongside berth and at the gate lowers both operating costs and emissions by eliminating inefficiency across the port call.

Smart planning and data‑driven operations help terminals perform consistently today, while preparing for tighter environmental regulation tomorrow. Shared performance standards and transparent operations strengthen supply‑chain resilience, enabling ports and cargo flows to remain reliable when unforeseen challenges arise.

Communities grow alongside ports

Trade growth matters most when it creates opportunity close to home. Investment in skills, safety and local supplier networks supports stronger local businesses, builds leadership pipelines and opens the door to long‑term careers. Over time, port‑led development becomes a source of shared prosperity for surrounding communities and the wider economy.

Specialised logistics networks, including cold‑chain solutions, extend this impact by helping national industries move higher‑value goods into global markets with greater reliability. Together, these capabilities support better jobs, more resilient local economies and investment outcomes that endure.

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Lifting trade across Africa

Smart investments; stronger trade

Long‑term investment is strengthening trade performance across Africa, delivering faster exports, lower costs and more reliable access to global markets.

Nigeria: Since 2006, USD 438 million invested in the Apapa terminal has supported average annual export growth of 15% between 2020 and 2025. A further USD 115‑million upgrade at West Africa Container Terminal is attracting more vessel calls while cutting export time and cost.

Liberia: A USD 170‑million investment at the Free Port of Monrovia has modernised operations and expanded capacity, driving 63% growth in general cargo.

Kenya: By shifting cut‑flower exports from air to specialised cold‑chain logistics, exporters have cut costs by 45% and CO₂ emissions by 80%. These capabilities also support Kenya’s established avocado trade, protecting product quality and market access for one of Africa’s leading exporters.