Africa's watergates: Top 5 African Ports by trade volume
By Seun Ibiyemi
Think of these ports as the ultimate shipping hubs. They're not just docks, they're the massive gateways moving cars, clothes, food, and petrochemicals across the world.
- Tanger Med, Morocco
Sitting right on the Strait of Gibraltar (where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean!), it is Africa’s #1 container port, moving over 10 million twenty‐foot equivalent units (TEUs) a year!
- Port Said, Egypt
Located at the entrance of the legendary Suez Canal, this port handles over 4 million TEUs annually.
- Port of Durban, South Africa
This port isn't just for South Africa, it’s the lifeline for many countries far from the ocean. Talk about being the region's main supply hub.
- Port of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
The main gate for imports and exports for Côte d’Ivoire and its West African neighbors. It handled 34.7 million tonnes in 2023 and exceeded 40 million tonnes in 2024
- Port of Mombasa, Kenya
Moves over 20 million tons of cargo every year, making it the biggest in its region.