Africa’s Ports Are Making Their Mark on the World Stage
Nigerian seaports are currently missing from the 2025 global Top 100 ranking, with only four African ports making it into Lloyd’s List.
It looks like Africa’s ports are steadily climbing the global ranks. A recently released Lloyd report shows that four African ports have secured spots in the 2025 list of the world’s top 100, signalling a quiet but consistent rise for the continent’s maritime sector.
Leading the charge and holding its own on the global scene is Morocco’s Port of Tanger Med. It solidified its position as Africa’s top port, climbing to 17th place worldwide. The secret to its success? The port handled a staggering 10.2 million containers last year, which is an impressive 18.9% jump from the year before. It’s really cementing its role as a crucial hub connecting Africa with Europe and Asia.
Egypt also made a strong showing with two entries. The Port Said held its ground at 53rd globally, managing a respectable 3.9 million containers even with all the disruptions in the Red Sea. Not far behind, Alexandria Port proved to be a standout story of resilience, moving 2.2 million containers and posting some of the fastest growth rates in the entire region.
Rounding out the list is Togo’s Port of Lomé, which is quickly becoming West Africa’s go-to maritime gateway. It broke into the top 100 at 92nd place after handling over 2 million containers last year.
Globally, the shipping industry seems to be bouncing back strongly from the pandemic, with container traffic surging by over 8% in 2024. For Africa, this progress is real, but the journey isn’t without its bumps. The continent’s ports are still grappling with infrastructure challenges, logistical snags, and the ongoing Red Sea security crisis, which forces ships to take longer routes and drives up costs.
While Asian giants, especially China, still dominate the top of the list, analysts see Africa’s performance as a sign of steady, positive change. The investments in port upgrades and automation are starting to pay off. The feeling is that with continued reforms and smarter policies, we could see even more African ports break into the global rankings soon.
That said, the list also highlights a major missed opportunity. Notably absent were any ports from Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. The exclusion of its main ports, Apapa and Tin Can Island, underscores the urgent need for the country to modernise and streamline its own maritime operations to keep pace with its continental neighbours.
