In Summary
- The 2025 edition of the CPPI covers global data from 2024, comparing against 2023, and draws on more than 175,000 vessel calls and 247 million container moves across 403 container ports.
- Improvement means a reduction in “time vessels spend in port.” Shorter port stays for container ships translate into better efficiency.
- The 2025 CPPI results show that in global shipping, for African ports, performance comes from execution—effective management, modest infrastructure upgrades, and logistics discipline rather than scale alone.
Deep Dive!!
Lagos, Nigeria, Saturday, November 29 – The latest edition of the CPPI was formally released in 2025, presenting a comprehensive global assessment of container port performance covering the year 2024.
The CPPI, a benchmark articulated by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, evaluates how efficiently container ports handle traffic. It zeroes in on port performance by measuring the total vessel time in port—essentially, the clock starts when a ship arrives and stops once it departs after loading or unloading containers. This focus elevates operational efficiency over mere volume, highlighting the importance of flawless execution in port management.
Since its inception in 2021, the CPPI has gained traction as a reference point for port authorities, governments, investors, shipping lines, and supply chain stakeholders. Its global data-driven insights facilitate not just cross-sectional comparisons but also time-based tracking, providing a lens to observe whether ports are improving, stagnating, or declining over time.
The latest data, particularly for African ports, shines a spotlight on those making strides in performance through targeted reforms, such as investments in terminal operations and better logistics coordination. Here are the six African ports that made the list:
6. Qasr Ahmed Port, Libya
Qasr Ahmed Port, known interchangeably as Misrata Port, occupies a strategic position along Libya’s Gulf of Sidra, serving as Misrata’s key maritime access point. In the World Bank’s 2025 CPPI, the port demonstrated a remarkable 67.9-point improvement from 2023 to 2024, landing it among Africa’s top six ports for efficiency gains.
The port operates within the Misrata Free Zone, designed to facilitate trade through favorable regulations. Equipped with modern handling machinery like gantry cranes and reach stackers, Qasr Ahmed is eyeing further advancements. Plans to expand quay length and deepen berths may help elevate current container-handling capacity to around five million TEUs annually. Yet, the full impact of these developments remains speculative as documentation on the upgrades’ direct correlation to CPPI improvements is lacking.
Management at Qasr Ahmed is a balancing act of various stakeholders: the Government of National Unity, local authorities, and private companies. Operational improvements likely stem from enhanced berth management and optimized cargo-handling processes. The port’s geographical advantages position it as a crucial conduit for trade across North Africa, Europe, and sub-Saharan regions.
5. Damietta Port, Egypt
On the northern coast of Egypt lies Damietta Port, a longstanding hub for trade and industry. Make no mistake; its appearance in the 2025 CPPI marks a significant triumph in operational efficiency, driven by strategic infrastructure development and institutional coordination. With an impressive 86.7-point rise in performance, Damietta showcases how targeted investments can elevate both national and regional trade competitiveness.
The recent transformation is anchored in the Tahya Misr 1 Container Terminal, a public-private initiative combining government foresight and private operational expertise. Equipped with advanced container-handling technology, this terminal has markedly improved loading and unloading efficiency while prioritizing sustainability with energy-efficient machinery.
Damietta isn’t just about brawn; it’s remarkably brainy too. Its digital integration allows real-time customs clearances and scheduling, while its strategic positioning within Egypt’s logistics infrastructure ensures an efficient flow of goods beyond the port’s borders. In essence, both governance and operational reforms bolster its CPPI results, signifying a model for sustained trade growth.
4. Port of Dakar, Senegal
Dakar Port has made waves with a staggering 104.7-point improvement in the CPPI, shifting from a regional bottleneck to a benchmark of efficiency in West Africa. The modernization spearheaded by DP World, which took over operations, involved significant infrastructure upgrades and comprehensive operational reforms. This journey has transformed the terminal’s capacity significantly, allowing for higher volumes and reduced vessel dwell times.
Through a more organized port-community system, communication among operators, customs, and logistics providers has been streamlined, reducing delays that once plagued the port. Dakar’s integration into national logistics networks enhances its role, allowing for quicker connections to both local and landlocked neighboring markets—an essential strategic asset for a burgeoning regional economy.
Moreover, the collaboration between DP World and Senegalese authorities not only builds operational efficiency but also increases accountability within the port’s ecosystem. The overall improvement positions Dakar as a vibrant trading hub, crucial for not only Senegal but for the broader West African economy.
3. Coega (Ngqura) Port, South Africa
Coega (Ngqura) Port near Port Elizabeth has undergone significant enhancements, with a 160.4-point increase in the CPPI indicating robust operational efficiency gains. The notable expansions and improvements reflect South Africa’s commitment to improving its ports even amid challenges. With a deep-water design, Coega is well-equipped to handle modern container vessels, enhancing its competitive edge in maritime trade.
Operationally, the integration with the Coega Industrial Development Zone allows for better cargo flow, reducing delays and enhancing throughput. Digitization efforts have optimized yard management and scheduling, translating physical improvements into measurable efficiency gains. Moreover, its connectivity to essential supply chains underscores Coega’s strategic value.
However, persistent national energy constrictions remind us that while Coega is on a trajectory of growth, it must navigate a landscape riddled with challenges. Nonetheless, the port serves as an inspiring example of how targeted investments can yield tangible benefits, both operationally and economically.
2. Cotonou Port, Benin
Cotonou Port stands as Benin’s primary maritime entryway, achieving an outstanding 226.7-point increase in the CPPI. This exceptional gain is particularly notable for its combination of infrastructure modernization and operational reforms, establishing a new level of efficiency. The government’s strategic initiatives have led to the acquisition of new technology and enhancements in container handling, drastically improving vessel turnaround times.
Enhanced digital systems have streamlined processes at Cotonou Port, facilitating expedient customs clearance and cargo tracking. The port’s connectivity to regional logistics corridors is also vital, ensuring smooth transport for both imports and exports across West Africa. This positions Cotonou as an indispensable trade hub for landlocked nations like Niger and Burkina Faso.
The public-private governance model has proven effective, as collaborations have fostered operational discipline and accountability. Cotonou Port’s impressive CPPI rise serves as a robust case study for other African ports aiming to boost their performance and influence in the global market.
1. Cape Town Port, South Africa
Finally, Cape Town Port, at the southern tip of the continent, achieved a remarkable 237.9-point increase in the CPPI, highlighting its transformative journey towards operational excellence. The port’s infrastructure upgrades and operational reforms have combined to bolster its throughput and efficiency, enhancing its importance for regional trade.
Investments in container terminals and advanced cargo-handling technologies geared towards improving operational predictability play a significant role in this transformation. Additionally, established governance measures under Transnet National Ports Authority have created a robust framework for accountability and performance monitoring, further reinforcing Cape Town’s standing in global maritime logistics.
The improved connectivity of Cape Town to other major economic hubs enables rapid inland transportation, providing essential support for South Africa’s export-driven sectors. While challenges persist, Cape Town Port serves as a beacon of how dedicated efforts in modernization and governance can yield substantial results, positioning Africa’s ports for a powerful future in global trade.
The insights gained from the 2024–2023 CPPI reveal that strategic investments in infrastructure, operational reforms, and strong governance can yield measurable efficiency gains. Across the African continent, from Cotonou to Coega, a foundation for stronger regional trade is being built, underscoring the necessity of sustained modernization to enhance competitiveness.