A potent key to unlocking sustainable growth in Africa lies in strengthening collaboration between governments and private sector players, particularly through investments in modern port infrastructure, logistics and connectivity.
That’s according to Igor van den Essen, regional managing director for Africa and Europe at APM Terminals, a major port concessionaire operating in Nigeria at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire,
Essen stressed that Africa’s economic future hinges on public-private partnerships (PPPs) that deliver long-term value.
“This is precisely the mindset guiding our engagement in, for instance, Nigeria,” he said during a panel session on strengthening the resilience of African supply chains.
“We are in active discussions with the port authority and government partners to upgrade our terminal in Lagos to service larger vessels, strengthen connectivity and lower the cost of doing business.”
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He described port development as one of the most effective levers for boosting competitiveness, supporting exports and driving economic transformation. Without large-scale infrastructure investments in seaports, road and rail, he warned, the continent risks falling further behind in the global trade ecosystem.
“Economic development is directly linked to robust port infrastructure. Investing in infrastructure is investing in Africa’s future,” he said. “It strengthens local industries, attracts private capital and lays the foundation for stable, self-sustaining growth.”
Aside from the quay, van den Essen said APM Terminals is focused on building integrated logistics solutions, from cold chain systems to distribution hubs and digital platforms, designed to improve efficiency and reliability across African supply chains.
The forum was attended by up to 2,000 public and private sector leaders with discussions on how unlocking capital and modernising logistics could drive Africa’s next growth phase.
