Southern African countries are expanding their role in global trade driven by the development of ports and the evolution of logistics networks. As the region advances in its economic, industrial and urban growth, the ports are becoming crucial nodes in the global trade system, connecting Southern Africa with international markets. These ports have potential to handle important cargo volumes and drive economic growth within their respective countries.
The upcoming 15th Africa PPP Infrastructure Finance, Investment and Partnership Summit taking place in Windhoek, Namibia from 28 to 31 October will shine a spotlight on this potential and help map pathways towards its fulfilment. The summit will bring together key industry leaders representing some of the continent’s top transport and logistics companies including Transnet, Kenya Ports Authority and Walvis Bay Corridor Group among many others.
Highlighting the sector’s scale and potential United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data, for example, reveals that the Port of Durban accounts for over 60% of South Africa’s container traffic, with an annual throughput of around 2.9 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).. Strengthening direct services between Asian origins (including Shanghai) and Southern African ports is accelerating the region’s integration into global supply chains.
In July 2025, South Africa signed a US$1.5 billion Development Policy Loan Agreement with the World Bank to support critical structural reforms aimed at enhancing infrastructure and to drive inclusive economic growth. The government has pledged to tackle the deteriorating rail system, jammed ports and frequent power blackouts that have hindered vital industries like mining and auto manufacturing.
Namibia’s Harbour expansion: A Pipeline to Global Trade
Effective transport infrastructure is the backbone of a vibrant economy and Namibia’s favorable geographical position on the south western coast of the African continent underpins its ambition to become a regional logistics hub with the Port of Walvis Bay at the heart of these plans. It currently handles about 5 million tons of cargo annually and receives approximately 3000 vessel calls each year.
The Port is undergoing is undergoing significant expansion to accommodate future growth and strengthen its global role, including:
New Container Terminal – A 40-hectare container terminal has recently begun operations, adding 600 metres of quay wall length to the port’s existing 1,800, metres. The This multi-billion-Namibian-dollar investment will enhance the port’s cargo handling capacity, further boosting its efficiency and appeal to international trade.
Additional Berths – Two new berths will be added at the new container terminal, with a third berth dedicated to passenger ships and cruise liners, enhancing the port’s versatility and capacity to accommodate various vessel types.
North Port and Industrial Park – NamPort has acquired around 1,330 hectares of land from the Walvis Bay municipality for this purpose. The new North Port will be developed in phases and set to become a major industrial and logistics hub, starting with the construction of an oil tanker jetty and a national fuel bulk terminal.
World-Class Ship and Rig Repair Yard – The North Pole will also Feature a world-class ship and rig repair yard, further solidifying Walvis Bay’s strategic importance in the oil, gas, and maritime industries. Additionally, a dry bulk terminal capable of handling up to 100 million tonnes of cargo per year will be developed, with the potential to store coal from Botswana for export by sea.
Plans are also underway to expand the Luderitz Port and strengthen its connectivity with the Northern Cape of South Africa focussing on commodities such as manganese ore, zinc products and fruit. The current cargo handling volume at Luderitz Port could exceed 500,000 tons. The SADC region currently relies heavily on South African ports or underdeveloped and congested ports in other countries in the region. Namibia with its well-developed ports, well maintained road infrastructure stands to benefit from continued growth and prosperity of Africa in general.
Financial investment into Mozambique’s Maputo Port Expansion Project
Mozambique’s transport sector mirrors the country’s historical development in relations with its neighbouring countries developing east-to-west rail and road systems that links its ports to the key industrial and mining regions. However, there are few hard-surfaced roads and virtually no railroads oriented north-south.
Maputo Port is moving ahead with a phased, multi-billion-dollar expansion begun in early January. The programme seeks to consolidate Maputo’s status as a regional hub particularly as exporters facing bottlenecks in neighbouring systems seek alternative routes.
Infrastructure upgrades in the first phase include extending the existing quay by 400 metres to 650 metres and deepening the berth draft to 16 metres to cater for larger ships, as cited by Osorio Lucas, the Chief Executive Officer of the operator Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC).
Angola’s Competitiveness in the Southern African Port Infrastructure Development Region
There are seven seaports in Angola, four of which are deep water (Luanda, Lobito, Amboim and Namibe), and three are shallower (Malongo, Soyo and Cabinda). The ports with deep water provide a regional transportation hub for neighbouring landlocked countries. Luanda with 11 berths is the most important port and receives 80% of imports, consisting mostly of containerised trade. However, due to lack of investment, and underdevelopment, the inefficiency of road and rail infrastructure continues to hold back the performance of Angolan ports in SADC.
In conclusion
Despite the promising developments, African ports face several challenges. Many ports continue to grapple with issues such as; inadequate hinterland connections, limited berthing spaces, and outdated handling equipment. Inconsistent regulatory frameworks and customs procedures can impede the efficiency of port operations. Piracy and regional instability equally pose significant threats to maritime security, affecting trade flows. . Addressing these bottlenecks through coordinated policy reform, corridor-wide investments, and modern trade-facilitation systems will determine how far Southern Africa’s ports can go in reshaping regional competitiveness and global market access. These solutions will be front and centre in the dialogue at the 2025 Africa PPP Summit.
