DP World is markedly accelerating its infrastructure expansion throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, with a reinforced commitment to facilitating trade, deepening logistics networks, and enhancing regional integration. The Dubai-headquartered logistics conglomerate recently announced a US$165 million expansion of the container terminal at the Port of Maputo, Mozambique—a pivotal gateway for Southern Africa’s trade.
The planned upgrade in Maputo will see container handling capacity increase from 255,000 TEUs to 530,000 TEUs, while the quay length will be extended from 308 metres to 650 metres. Additional investments will provide 715 reefer plugs, up from 450, to support Mozambique’s agricultural export ambitions. These developments form part of a broader effort to position Maputo as a primary access point for landlocked neighbours such as Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and northern South Africa.
Phase 1 of the Maputo project, which commenced in January 2025, includes expanding the container yard by 6.48 hectares, increasing berth depth from 12 to 16 metres, and installing advanced equipment, including three ship-to-shore cranes capable of handling Panamax and Post-Panamax vessels. These infrastructural enhancements are anticipated to elevate the port’s annual capacity to 54 million tonnes by 2058, up from 37 million tonnes in 2024, according to the extended concession agreement ratified by the Mozambican government in 2024.
Complementing this development is a new rail connection between DP World Komatipoort in South Africa and the Maputo terminal. The route is expected to streamline cargo flow between Maputo and Gauteng, enhancing efficiency while reducing delays at border posts. The Komatipoort facility is also being developed to handle bulk commodities, reinforcing its strategic role in the regional logistics network.
DP World’s ambitions are not confined to Mozambique. The company is concurrently constructing a deep-sea port at Banana in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), featuring an initial 600-metre quay with an 18-metre draft. This infrastructure will be capable of servicing the largest container ships currently in operation. Once operational, the facility is projected to handle 450,000 TEUs per annum, supported by a 30-hectare yard. The port’s development is forecast to generate approximately 85,000 jobs and add US$1.12 billion in trade and US$429 million in economic output annually.
In Senegal, construction of the US$1.2 billion Port of Ndayane has commenced and is poised to reshape West African trade. Located around 50 kilometres south of Dakar, the new deep-water facility aims to alleviate pressure on the congested Port of Dakar and accommodate the world’s largest vessels with an 18-metre draft. Phase 1 of the Ndayane project will consist of an 840-metre quay and a 5 km channel, with a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs annually. Phase 2 will see an additional 410-metre quay constructed. Once operational, the port is expected to underpin the creation of up to 2.3 million jobs across Senegal, 22,000 of which are directly associated with expanded trade activities.
These strategic investments are anchored in a larger plan to inject more than US$3 billion across Africa over the next three to five years. This follows the company’s prior investment of a similar amount across the continent, which included the acquisition of Imperial Logistics in 2022. The acquisition enhanced DP World’s market access in Nigeria, particularly in the healthcare and consumer goods sectors.
Subsequently, DP World’s market access unit acquired a controlling stake in Africa FMCG Distribution (AFMCG), part of the Chanrai Group. AFMCG provides a robust distribution network in Nigeria, encompassing co-packing, sourcing, and value-added services for leading multinational FMCG brands. This acquisition has allowed DP World to tap into Nigeria’s expansive consumer base, offering a comprehensive route-to-market infrastructure.
In the healthcare logistics segment, DP World supports cold chain logistics and medical supply distribution. A notable partnership with UNICEF has seen critical healthcare resources reach remote areas across Nigeria. These initiatives have further enhanced the company’s role in bolstering national health infrastructure.
From a socio-economic perspective, DP World has extended its sustainability efforts beyond core logistics. In May 2024, the company launched a collaboration with WaterAid in Bauchi, Nigeria, following a successful initiative in Mozambique. This partnership addresses water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges—a critical concern amidst climate change and rapid urbanisation—underscoring DP World’s commitment to inclusive, community-oriented development.
DP World’s vision for Sub-Saharan Africa underscores infrastructure-led growth as a catalyst for sustainable development. By advancing port capacity, logistics connectivity, and market access across the continent, the company continues to shape the trajectory of African trade in alignment with global economic trends.
