West African ports key to global economy — NPA Boss

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, has said that ports in West and Central Africa are very important to the global economy.

He made the statement ahead of the Board of Directors meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), which will take place in Lagos from May 18 to 20, 2026.

The meeting, hosted by the Nigerian Ports Authority, will bring together maritime leaders and port officials from different countries in the region. They are expected to discuss ways to improve port operations, strengthen transport and logistics systems, and increase cooperation among countries in the maritime sector.

Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, is expected to officially open the event.

Speaking before the meeting, Dantsoho said ports play a major role in global trade and economic growth. According to him, ports help connect countries to international markets and support development and economic integration.

He also said the success of the global economy depends heavily on how efficient ports are, especially in developing regions where strong infrastructure and smooth logistics are important for trade.

Dantsoho assured participants that the Nigerian Ports Authority would provide a good environment for productive discussions that could lead to stronger maritime cooperation across West and Central Africa.

The meeting is expected to focus on issues such as port security, infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and ways to prepare ports for future global economic challenges.

Participants will also review ongoing committee activities and examine progress made on joint projects among member ports, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in the regional maritime industry.