Ports are the heartbeat of international trade, where ships dock to move goods, boost economies, and connect nations to global markets.
Across Africa, key ports are evolving into modern logistics hubs that support everything from agriculture and manufacturing to oil and consumer goods.
A few are leading with speed, scale, and strategic impact.
Top 5 Ports in Africa Leading the Flow of Cargo and Commerce:
— Port of Durban (South Africa): The busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa. Handles container, automotive, and bulk cargo with advanced infrastructure and high vessel traffic.
— Port of Tanger Med (Morocco): One of the largest and most connected ports in Africa. Known for speed, automation, and strong links to Europe and Asia.
— Port of Mombasa (Kenya): A key trade hub for East and Central Africa. Serves landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
— Port of Lagos – Apapa (Nigeria): Nigeria’s biggest and busiest port. Vital for oil exports, consumer goods, and industrial imports.
— Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast): A strategic West African port with ongoing expansion to boost its regional shipping and logistics capacity.
Other ports are rising fast, but these five continue to anchor Africa’s trade growth through efficiency and global reach.
This ranking is based on cargo volume, infrastructure quality, and regional trade impact.
Data was sourced from official port authority websites, the 2025 State of Africa’s Infrastructure report by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and the most recent World Bank Container Port Performance Index published in 2023. These sources provide the latest verified data available as of July 2025.
Image Credit: Africaports
