By Godwin Oritse

Lasting infrastructure, inclusive employment, and sustainable development in Africa can only be achieved through strong collaboration between governments and the private sector, according to APM Terminals.

The company emphasized that public-private partnerships (PPPs), built on shared knowledge and co-investment, are key to driving the continent’s future.

Speaking at the recently concluded Africa Chief Executive Officers CEO. Forum which was held in Abidjan, Cote D Ivoire, APM Terminals Regional Managing Director of APM Terminals, Africa and Europe, Igor van den Essen, said that the essential role of public-private partnerships to enable long-term development had been a recurring theme throughout the forum.

Igor who was a panelist at session on Charting new trade routes: ‘Strengthening the Resilience of African Supply Chains’, also said that the leadership of APMT is in talks with some African governments to upgrade terminals across Africa.

Igor said, “This is precisely the mindset guiding our engagement in, for instance, Nigeria. 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.

“This is operational excellence in action, built on local collaboration, long-term planning and customer-centric design to create joint predictability and stability.”
He added that Africa was set to play a vital role in global trade, driven by its rapidly growing populations and economies. Yet, without major investment in ports, roads and rail, its infrastructure gap will only widen.

“Economic development is directly linked to robust port infrastructure. Seaport upgrades, inland connectivity and corridor developments are among the most effective levers for improving competitiveness, boosting exports and driving the economy.

“Investing in infrastructure is investing in Africa’s future. It strengthens local industries, attracts private investment and provides the foundation for stable and self-sustaining growth.

“That’s why our investments go beyond the quay. We’re building integrated logistics services, including cold chain solutions, distribution hubs and digital tools that boost safety, reliability and performance across the board. Integration is how we remove barriers, unlock efficiencies and deliver results for all stakeholders,” Igor said.

Over 2,000 leaders and decision-makers, from the public and private sector in Africa, had convened last week in Abidjan, to explore how unlocking capital and strengthening logistics and infrastructure can unleash the continent’s next growth phase.