Global container throughput continues to rise, with the top 50 ports handling over 800 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023. The Port of Shanghai remains the world’s busiest, processing 47 million TEUs, followed by Singapore with 39 million. The expansion of the Panama and Suez Canals has further enhanced maritime efficiency, reducing transit times and bolstering global trade. According to the World Bank, port efficiency directly influences national GDP, with a 10% improvement in port operations contributing to a 3% increase in trade volume.

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Yet, global shipping faces mounting challenges, including supply chain bottlenecks and security risks. The ongoing Red Sea crisis has led to higher insurance premiums for shipping companies, while climate-induced disruptions, such as hurricanes and rising sea levels, threaten port infrastructure. These challenges underscore the urgent need for modernisation and investment in resilient port systems.

Africa’s ports are integral to the continent’s economic aspirations. They handle about 90% of Africa’s trade, moving over 500 million tonnes of cargo annually. In monetary terms, these ports facilitate trade worth over $400 billion each year, with imports constituting a significant portion of this figure. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reports that Africa’s maritime transport sector contributes roughly $100 billion to the continent’s GDP, highlighting its economic importance.

Major ports such as Durban (South Africa), Lagos (Nigeria), and Mombasa (Kenya) serve as critical gateways for both imports and exports. However, inefficiencies persist. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), African ports experience an average dwell time of 20 days—substantially longer than the global benchmark of four days. These delays increase costs and deter investment. Infrastructure deficits exacerbate the problem, with only a handful of African ports, such as Tanger Med in Morocco and Port Said in Egypt, operating at globally competitive standards. The World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) ranks these as Africa’s top performers, yet many others struggle with outdated facilities and congestion. Additionally, port-related logistics account for up to 40% of total transport costs in Africa, compared to just 10% in developed economies.

Despite these challenges, Africa’s ports are undergoing significant transformation. Investments in port expansion and digitalisation are surging. The Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, operational since 2023, is expected to contribute $360 billion to the economy over its lifetime. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Lamu Port, part of the LAPSSET Corridor, aims to enhance regional connectivity, facilitating trade between East and Central Africa. Furthermore, expansions at Ghana’s Tema Port and Côte d’Ivoire’s Abidjan Port are boosting Africa’s competitiveness in global trade.

Sustainability and Innovation: The Future of African Ports

The future of Africa’s ports lies in modernisation and sustainability. Green port initiatives are gaining traction, with South Africa’s Transnet investing in electrification to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, recycling and waste management efforts are improving. The Port of Durban, for example, has implemented waste-to-energy programmes that convert ship-generated waste into usable energy. According to the African Ports Environmental Report, waste management and pollution reduction are now priority areas, with initiatives focused on minimising plastic waste and improving oil spill response capabilities.

Smart port technologies, including blockchain-based cargo tracking and AI-driven logistics, are being deployed to reduce inefficiencies. The African Union’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) emphasises digitalisation and security to ensure African ports remain globally competitive. With port expansion projects exceeding $50 billion in investments, Africa is on a path to transforming its maritime landscape.

A New Dawn for African Trade

Africa’s ports stand at a crossroads. While inefficiencies and infrastructure gaps persist, significant investments and reforms are underway. As global trade evolves, Africa has a golden opportunity to enhance its maritime sector, driving economic transformation. By modernising ports, adopting green initiatives, and embracing technology, the continent can solidify its position as a key player in the global trade ecosystem. With annual port-driven revenues surpassing $400 billion and continued investment in sustainability and efficiency, Africa’s maritime sector is poised to become one of the continent’s leading economic drivers in the future.

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According to the World Bank, disputes over land access and control frequently escalate into violence and conflict, leading to dispossession and forced displacement within and across borders. Estimates suggest that 56% of global conflicts are related to land, with the majority occurring in developing countries. By the end of 2015, 95% of the 65 million refugees and internally displaced people worldwide were living in developing regions.

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A Global Perspective on Land Ownership and Development

The debate over land ownership and development is not new. From the Americas to Asia, history reveals numerous instances where indigenous landowners have been displaced in the name of modernisation. In the United States, the principle of eminent domain has been applied since the 19th century to acquire land for public use, often at the expense of Native American tribes. Reports indicate that between 1887 and 1934, over 90 million acres of Native American land were lost under policies such as the Dawes Act.

In India, infrastructure expansion has frequently come at the cost of agrarian communities. According to Land Conflict Watch, over 2.1 million people in India have been affected by disputes linked to development projects, with large-scale displacements resulting from coal mining, highway expansions, and urbanisation. Similarly, in Brazil, industrial farming has driven Amazonian deforestation, impacting indigenous territories that account for nearly 13% of the country’s land.

Meanwhile, China has pursued aggressive urbanisation policies. Since 2000, approximately 50,000 villages have been urbanised, displacing millions in the name of economic expansion. While this has contributed to GDP growth, it has also fuelled social unrest, as seen in the 2011 Wukan protests, where villagers revolted against government land seizures.

Africa at the Crossroads: Ancestral Claims vs. Economic Imperatives

In Africa, land remains a deeply political and economic asset. Over 60% of the continent’s population relies on agriculture, yet increasing portions of land are being allocated to large-scale infrastructure projects, foreign direct investments, and extractive industries. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 recognises land as central to sustainable development but struggles to balance land ownership rights with economic growth.

Approximately 90% of Africa’s land is informally held under customary tenure systems. Countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya operate dual land tenure systems, where formal government control coexists with indigenous land ownership. According to the World Bank, over 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s land remains undocumented, making it vulnerable to disputes and state acquisition. For example, the Tanzanian government faced international backlash when it attempted to repurpose 1,500 square kilometres of Maasai land for wildlife conservation, displacing thousands of indigenous inhabitants.

Foreign Direct Investments and Land Grabs

Africa has seen a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in agriculture and mining. Between 2000 and 2020, an estimated 50 million hectares of African land were acquired by foreign entities—a phenomenon often described as “land grabs.” The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone allocated over 9 million hectares to palm oil and biofuel companies, frequently without clear compensation for local communities. Reports from the Oakland Institute indicate that in Ethiopia, vast tracts of land have been leased to foreign agribusinesses, displacing small-scale farmers in the Gambella region.

Infrastructure Boom vs. Displacement

The drive for mega-infrastructure projects, particularly in East and West Africa, has intensified land-related conflicts. Nigeria’s Lekki Free Trade Zone, a flagship economic initiative, has sparked widespread protests, with local communities claiming inadequate compensation for their lands. Similarly, Kenya’s Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor has led to legal battles between the government and indigenous communities over land rights.

Legal Frameworks: Are They Sufficient?

Efforts to establish legal safeguards for landowners have yielded mixed results. The African Land Policy Initiative under the African Union seeks to promote fair land governance, yet implementation remains inconsistent. Some countries, like Rwanda, have embarked on large-scale land titling projects, registering over 11 million parcels and reducing disputes by 85%. However, nations such as Zimbabwe and South Africa continue to grapple with the legacy of colonial land dispossession, making redistribution efforts politically charged.

The Path Forward

Can Africa strike a balance between development and land rights without compromising either? One potential solution is the introduction of land value capture mechanisms, ensuring that the benefits of development are shared equitably. Another approach is the adoption of community-inclusive development models, such as Ghana’s community benefit agreements in mining areas. However, if left unregulated, aggressive land acquisitions could exacerbate displacement, deepen inequalities, and fuel social unrest. This is evident in countries such as Sudan, where land-related conflicts contribute to ongoing instability.

Africa’s approach to land ownership and development must navigate a precarious path. While economic progress is essential, it cannot come at the complete expense of indigenous rights. The future depends on transparent legal frameworks, equitable land policies, and inclusive development models. If managed correctly, Africa can achieve both growth and stability, ensuring that land remains a source of empowerment rather than a catalyst for conflict.

The post Land Rights vs. Development: Who Owns Africa’s Future? appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.