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Logistics

Can AD Ports Group unlock Douala’s trade potential?

AD Ports Group and two UAE based investors will hold a combined 60% stake in the operating company, alongside Africa Ports Development LTD with 40%. (Image source: AD Ports Group)

AD Ports Group has entered Africa Ports Development’s 30 year concession to develop and operate a new dry bulk terminal at the Port of Douala in the Republic of Cameroon, marking a further expansion of its African footprint

Under the agreed investment framework, AD Ports Group and two UAE based investors will hold a combined 60% stake in the operating company, alongside Africa Ports Development LTD with 40%. This structure translates into an effective economic interest of 51% for AD Ports Group.

Aligned with its ownership share, AD Ports Group’s portion of the phase 1 investment is projected at approximately AED 320 million, (approx. US$87mn). The first phase will deliver two berths and roughly 450 metres of quay wall, with an annual handling capacity of about 4 million tonnes of dry bulk commodities including clinker, gypsum, fertiliser and grain.

Construction is scheduled between 2026 and 2028 and will be undertaken in close coordination with the Port Authority of Douala to respond to sustained demand at Cameroon’s main maritime gateway.

Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO - AD Ports Group, said, “This agreement represents a strategically important expansion of AD Ports Group’s presence in Africa and reinforces our commitment to developing high-impact maritime infrastructure in high-growth markets, in line with the vision of our wise leadership. The Douala dry bulk terminal will enhance trade resilience, support industrial development, and strengthen Cameroon’s role as a gateway to Central Africa.”

Al Menhali added: “Through our partnership with Africa Ports Development, we are combining local market expertise with AD Ports Group’s global capabilities in port development and operations to support the Port Authority of Douala’s plans to modernise and enhance Douala Port, enabling regional trade and long-term economic growth. We commend the Port Authority for the significant progress achieved in recent years, which has driven strong growth in Cameroon’s maritime sector, and we look forward to contributing further to its long-term development ambitions.”

Marc Tabchy, managing partner of Africa Ports Development, said,“We are honoured to bring this partnership to life with AD Ports Group, a global reference that shares our firm belief in this project, in Cameroon, and in the potential of the African continent. Building upon the opportunity provided by the Port Authority of Douala’s modernisation and specialisation initiatives, this collaboration establishes a strategic synergy combining our group’s ambition and regional depth with AD Ports Group’s operational excellence.”

Situated at the Port of Douala, Cameroon’s largest seaport and the primary entry point for bulk imports, the new terminal is expected to reinforce regional supply chains and improve the handling efficiency of essential cargo streams. The port also functions as a vital transit corridor for landlocked markets across Central Africa, and the project will benefit from established hinterland connections linking Douala to major industrial zones and regional trade routes.

The development forms part of AD Ports Group’s broader growth strategy across the continent, building on its existing operations and investments in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola and the Republic of the Congo, and strengthening its role as a key partner for trade, logistics and enabling infrastructure in Africa.

Rainbo Supplies to send heavy-duty trailers to Ivory Coast

UK heavy-duty trailers set for Ivory Coast

UK procurement company Rainbo Supplies is to provide 20 heavy-duty trailers to Ivory Coast after securing financial support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the British government’s export credit agency

The contract is worth £4mn (US$5.5mn) with the trailers to be provided by an undisclosed UK manufacturer and utilised for the construction, mining and agricultural sectors.

Ivorian company EKDMC is purchasing the goods and services from Rainbo, facilitated by a loan guarantee issued by UKEF to London Forfaiting Company (LFC), creating an opportunity for UK suppliers in one of Africa’s largest economies.

The new contract marks Rainbo’s second partnership with UKEF and LFC in less than six months, following a successful deal with a Ugandan construction firm.

“Securing yet another UKEF-backed deal in less than a year is a tremendous achievement for our team and a testament to the strong, long-term relationships we have built with our clients, suppliers, and partners,” said Steve Quigley, managing director at Rainbo.

“Through close collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence, we continue to deliver best-in-class support and services across Africa,” he added.

“This contract with EKDMC opens up exciting new opportunities in the region and reinforces our confidence in continued sustainable growth.”

Its earlier Ugandan contract involved the supply of machinery, vehicles and equipment for the mining, transport and processing sectors on behalf of local construction and consultancy firm IBBI, which is setting up a granite quarry and an asphalt production plant.

Paul Wright, head of UK marketing at LFC, said the latest Ivorian deal supports both the UK exporter as well as the overseas buyer in a developing market.

“This deal is a further demonstration of the value of LFC’s ongoing partnership with UKEF, enabling buyers to access the flexible finance they need to purchase UK goods and services.”

South Africa's largest private freight rail investment

Ascon launch to boost Africa's supply chain

Cape Verde airports receive funding boost

Cape Verde airport on the up (Image source: Vinci Concessions)

The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) has announced €40mn of sustainability-linked financing package to support the further upgrade and expansion of Cape Verde’s national airport network

The investment will fund development across seven airports, strengthening connectivity and airport environmental objectives and boost tourism to the country.

Specifically, it will support Phase 1B of a 40-year concession awarded in 2023 to Cape Verde Airports, operated by Vinci Concessions, to fund critical capacity upgrades, runway extensions, terminal expansions across four international and three domestic airports.

The programme is designed to accommodate sustained growth in passenger traffic while improving service quality and safety, in a country where air connectivity underpins economic development and tourism.

Sustainability measures include on-site solar PV and battery storage, energy-efficient terminal upgrades, water recycling, drainage and wastewater treatment, and commitments to reduce airport emissions by 30% by 2030, with a pathway consistent with Vinci Concessions objective to net zero by 2050.

Thanzi Ramukosi, investment specialist at Ninety One, the fund manager of EAAIF, said the investment in Cape Verde Airports reflects a commitment to financing essential transport infrastructure while limiting greenhouse gas emission increases.

“The sustainability-linked facility advances a programme that improves air connectivity and resilience in a Small Island Developing State, where aviation is fundamental to economic activity and tourism.”

Since the financial close of Phase 1A in 2023, traffic across Cape Verde’s airport network has recovered ahead of expectations, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, supported by new routes and additional airlines.

International traffic now accounts for approximately 80% of total passenger volumes, providing a resilient euro-denominated revenue base and underpinning the project’s robust financial profile.

On 13 January, 2026 Vinci Concessions announced the completion of the first phase of works, worth €80 million, to modernise and decarbonise airport operations.

It also announced record traffic growth with a 60% increase between 2022 and 2025, driven by 35 new air routes and initiatives to enhance connectivity.

The EAAIF funding contributes to a €142mn next phase over the coming three years for additional improvements.

Air Peace to build West Africa air maintenance facility

Ethiopia gets AfDB backing for mega airport

MSC expands intermodal logistics across Africa

MSC strengthens Africa intermodal connectivity. (Image source: MSC)

MSC is drawing attention to the scale and reach of its intermodal logistics solutions across Africa, illustrating how the integration of rail, road and port infrastructure is reshaping inland cargo movement

By extending connectivity well beyond coastal ports, MSC is helping customers access critical hinterland markets with greater reliability, efficiency and control.

Intermodal transport has become a cornerstone of resilient supply chains across the continent. By reducing transit times, improving schedule predictability and strengthening links between landlocked economies and global trade routes, integrated inland solutions are responding to a growing need for dependable connectivity. MSC’s expanded intermodal offering is designed to meet this demand, providing customers with flexible, end-to-end transport options that support long-term planning and operational stability.

Abidjan–Ouagadougou: A strategic rail corridor

The first feature in the series focuses on the rail corridor linking Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, one of West Africa’s most active trade routes. Stretching approximately 1,150–1,260 km between the Port of Abidjan and Ouagadougou, the rail connection offers a reliable inland alternative to road transport, helping to ease congestion and create more consistent cargo flows.

Serving key sectors including agriculture, FMCG, mining and temperature-controlled cargo, the corridor enables customers to move goods inland with greater security and predictability. Through MSC’s intermodal network, shippers benefit from stable inland-to-port connectivity, improved transit time consistency and the confidence to plan operations year-round.

Building value across Africa’s key trade lanes

Beyond the Côte d’Ivoire–Burkina Faso rail link, the series will highlight other corridors where MSC’s intermodal solutions are delivering measurable value for customers.

In Cameroon, the focus turns to cargo flows supported by Kribi Port and improved trucking routes, which are strengthening access to inland markets and streamlining trade connections.

Across South Africa and Namibia, MSC’s trucking network is enabling dependable cross-border transport, with particular emphasis on reefer cargo supported by the Durban reefer warehouse, ensuring temperature integrity throughout the journey.

In Kenya, the spotlight follows agricultural exports from origin to port, offering a full view of how MSC’s integrated inland network supports a seamless land-to-port logistics chain.

Together, these corridors reflect MSC’s commitment to building predictable inland transport solutions that reduce operational complexity, enhance supply chain visibility and connect African markets more efficiently to global trade.

AD Ports group strengthens strategic ties with Nigeria

The MoU provides a framework to explore investment and development opportunities across ports, logistics services, maritime operations, and digital trade infrastructure. (Image source: AD Ports Group)

AD Ports Group is expanding its strategic footprint in Africa with a new partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors

In a high-level meeting attended by his excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, advisor, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, discussed opportunities to enhance trade, shipping, logistics, and port operations across Nigeria.

Following the discussions, AD Ports Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The agreement establishes a framework to explore collaborative investment and development initiatives in ports, logistics services, maritime operations, and digital trade platforms, reflecting a shared vision for modernising Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem and boosting regional and international trade connectivity.

The MoU was officially signed by Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria, and captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

Speaking on the occasion, minister Oyetola said, " This MoU represents an important step in advancing Nigeria’s Marine and Blue economy agenda. By partnering with an internationally experienced group such as AD Ports Group, we aim to explore opportunities that can strengthen port efficiency, logistics connectivity, maritime services, and digital trade infrastructure, while supporting sustainable economic growth and positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa. "

" Nigeria is a cornerstone of Africa’s maritime and trade landscape, with significant potential across the ports and logistics sectors," commented captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

"This MoU reflects our shared ambition to explore long-term, sustainable development opportunities that support Nigeria’s economic growth, trade competitiveness, and job creation, in line with the directives of our wise leadership. AD Ports Group brings international expertise across integrated ports, logistics, maritime services, and digital trade solutions, and we look forward to working closely with our Nigerian partners as we assess areas of mutual interest. "

The MoU comes at a time of growing significance for Nigeria’s ports and maritime sector. AD Ports Group already maintains investments in Egypt, Tanzania, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo, contributing to trade integration and economic development across Africa.

The agreement also aligns with the recently signed UAE–Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to reduce tariffs, remove trade barriers, and encourage investment in sectors such as technology, agriculture, energy, and logistics. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached US$4.3bn in 2024, a 55.3% increase compared to 2023, highlighting the expanding economic ties between the two nations.

According to BMI, Nigeria’s real GDP growth is projected to rise from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026, marking the fastest expansion in four years. This sustained growth reinforces Nigeria’s position as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing economies and underscores the country’s attractiveness for strategic investments in ports, logistics, and maritime infrastructure.