The agreement was signed by Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria. (Image source: APT Terminals)

APM Terminals’ West African Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne has joined forces with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to drive decarbonisation efforts across Nigeria’s port and transport sector

The partnership was formalised on Monday, September 22, at the Dutch Consulate in New York during the Global African Business Initiative, where both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MoU outlines a phased roadmap to electrify containerised freight, aligning with the policies of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

“We believe that Nigeria is ideally situated to lead West Africa’s transition to low-carbon logistics by electrifying its container transport sector,” said Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria. “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and trade hub, and our research shows us that the country can leapfrog fossil-fuel infrastructure and adopt proven electric technologies. We are therefore very optimistic about our joint plans to develop a phased roadmap towards an electrified future for container logistics.”

Responding to the MoU, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho stated, “By this development, the Onne Port will be the first green port in Nigeria and will thereby be promoting the decarbonisation efforts within the transportation ecosystem. This will also make Nigerian ports the leaders on the continent in terms of sustainable port operations.”

The collaboration, fully funded by APM Terminals with an investment of US$60mn, is expected to set a precedent for other African nations.

The agreement builds upon findings from a study APM Terminals presented to Nigeria’s vice-president at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit held in Abuja in July. The study highlighted that transitioning from fossil fuels to electrified container freight could attract private investment, generate skilled employment, and improve energy reliability. However, achieving these benefits will require close coordination across industries and robust public-private partnerships.

“For APM Terminals, partnerships are key to generating long-term growth and value in the countries where we operate,” said Jeethu Jose, managing director of WACT. “Our investments are for our shared future and for the people of the region. We look forward to driving this project alongside our stakeholders in the port industry.”

Etihad Cargo introduces SmartTrack, offering real-time shipment visibility, proactive alerts, and a customer-centric digital dashboard worldwide. (Image source: Etihad Cargo)

Etihad Cargo, the logistics and cargo division of Etihad Airways, has officially introduced SmartTrack, a premium shipment visibility service that allows customers to monitor their cargo in real time

First unveiled earlier this year at Air Cargo Europe 2025 in Munich, SmartTrack is now accessible globally through the Etihad Cargo website. This makes Etihad Cargo the first air cargo carrier to offer such advanced smart tracking technology to customers worldwide.

Delivering unmatched shipment transparency

SmartTrack provides live location updates and condition monitoring throughout the supply chain. Using cellular, GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity, it sends instant alerts for temperature, humidity, shock, tilt, and light events, ensuring greater reliability and proactive risk management.

To support customers further, Etihad Cargo has launched a 24/7 SmartTrack Control Centre, offering live case tracking, alert prioritisation, and actionable workflows for real-time intervention, repair, and resolution.

A streamlined digital experience

The accompanying customer dashboard provides a single, intuitive interface for monitoring shipments. Accessible via secure single sign-on on both mobile and web platforms, it allows users to:

• Track shipments in real time by AWB, origin, destination, or product type

• Monitor live sensor data and receive proactive SLA notifications

• Access custody chain insights covering pre- and post-Etihad Cargo handling

• Receive instant alerts on milestone delays, geofence violations, and temperature excursions

• Cutting-Edge Technology in Action

SmartTrack was developed in partnership with Tag-N-Trac, integrating booking data, sensor events, and geofence alerting to create a seamless customer experience.

Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Airways, said, “SmartTrack marks a major step forward in the way we support our customers. By integrating simplicity, intelligence and automation, we are providing greater confidence and control over shipments while setting a new benchmark for transparency in the industry. This innovation reflects Etihad Cargo’s broader vision: to harness digital transformation in order to deliver smarter, more resilient, and more customer-centric logistics solutions.”

Driving the future of digital cargo

SmartTrack is part of Etihad Cargo’s broader digital roadmap, focusing on innovation, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. By combining real-time tracking, round-the-clock monitoring, and a customer-focused design, the airline continues to solidify its position as a global leader in air freight innovation.

MaxiCharger DC Fast units installed by Autel Energy at Cape Town’s Arrowgate Depot, forming the backbone of South Africa’s largest EV bus charging hub with capacity to expand to 50 chargers and 120 buses by 2025. (Image source: Autel Energy)

Autel Energy is ramping up plans for the electrification of Cape Town’s bus fleet with the deployment of its advanced MaxiCharger DC Fast (150–240 kW) technology

A leader in smart and sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, the company is powering South Africa’s largest public EV bus charging hub — also among the most significant in Africa — enabling the rollout of 120 electric buses by December 2025.

The project, delivered in partnership with STS Tech Group, is centred at Cape Town’s Arrowgate depot, which operates on a solar–grid hybrid system.

This integration highlights Autel Energy’s capability to deliver charging infrastructure that is both renewable-ready and future-proof, ensuring maximum uptime, high efficiency, and long-term sustainability, the company reported in a statement.

“This project in Cape Town is a milestone not only for Africa but for the global transition to clean mobility,” said Kemin Zuo, regional director of Autel IMEA DMCC.

Currently, the Arrowgate depot operates with 30 MaxiCharger DC Fast units, with capacity expanding to 50 units by year-end.

These chargers support the city’s 68 BYD B12 electric buses already in operation — each carrying 65 passengers with a range of up to 240 km per charge — and will scale to serve 120 buses by the end of 2025.

This transition will eliminate an estimated 18,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing more than 4,000 cars from the city’s roads.

The landmark project also supports Cape Town’s clean mobility ambitions and South Africa’s broader sustainability goals, providing citizens with cleaner air, quieter transport, and reliable daily mobility.

With over 1 million chargers shipped in over 70 countries, Autel Energy’s DC charging solutions span from 50 kW DC fast chargers to 1.44 megawatt-level ultra-fast systems, serving residential, commercial, fleet and heavy-duty transport applications.

“At Autel Energy, our mission is to accelerate EV adoption by delivering charging solutions that are intelligent, scalable, and renewable-ready,” said Zuo.

“By enabling seamless integration with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind across our entire charging portfolio, we demonstrate how cities can build future-proof infrastructure that reduces emissions while ensuring reliable public transport.”

Zuo added: “Africa is a strategic region for e-mobility growth, and we are proud to play a central role in shaping its sustainable transport future.”

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The new community bridge in Rwanda (Image source: Adobe Stock)

DP World has expanded its footprint in Rwanda with the inauguration of the Rubavu Logistics Hub in partnership with Rwanda's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)

The opening of the new hub coincided with the unveiling of a community bridge in Kabeza, a partnership with Bridges to Prosperity.

The milestones strengthen Rwanda's trade corridors and connect thousands of people to opportunities, showing how strategic infrastructure can drive economic growth, a DP World statement read.

The Rubavu Logistics Hub will act as a key trade corridor between Rwanda and neighbouring countries, it noted.

The facility features a 5,000 sqm bonded warehouse, advanced cold storage, modern office spaces and state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment.

In its first year, the hub is expected to handle 50,000 tonnes of cargo, with future capacity of up to 120,000 tonnes annually, significantly boosting Rwanda's GDP and creating valuable employment opportunities.

“The Rubavu Logistics Hub will serve as a critical artery of regional trade, helping better connect local businesses to Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and global trade ecosystems,” said Mark Rylance, chief operating officer logistics sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), DP World.

“The project builds on our work in Rwanda to drive socio-economic change by creating opportunities and supporting the communities in which we operate.”

The Kigali Dry Port near the capital, acts as Rwanda’s central logistics hub, connecting imports and exports to regional and global trade networks.

Rubavu Logistics Hub — on Rwanda’s western border with the DRC — is strategically placed to handle cross-border trade with the DRC, one of Rwanda’s largest trading partners.

Together, they form a national logistics corridor, the DP World statement added.

At the same event, DP World and Bridges to Prosperity unveiled a 50-metre suspended trail bridge, built with support from nine DP World volunteers and redundant steel cables repurposed from DP World operations.

The company said the bridge will help transform over 4,600 lives by providing year-round safe access to schools, healthcare, and markets.

Shushant Mallik, managing director, Rwanda, DP World said the partnership demonstrates DP World's commitment to both economic growth and empowering communities in Rwanda.

“With the Kigali Dry Port at the centre and the new Rubavu Hub on Rwanda’s western frontier, DP World is building a logistics ecosystem that connects local businesses to regional and global markets,” said Mallik.

“Our investment in logistics and infrastructure is delivering solutions that create growth and supports sustainable development. This dual milestone shows the two can go hand in hand”.

Opened in 2019, DP World built and operates the Kigali Dry Port, East Africa’s first end-to-end logistics hub, which connects Rwandan importers and exporters with the Indian Ocean, some 1,500 km away.

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