All over the African continent, over the last few months, announcements of port projects have been multiplying and the big international operators are engaged in an ever fiercer competition. In Africa as elsewhere, or perhaps more than elsewhere, the challenge at term is to be positioned as THE gateway not only to the national territory but to the huge hinterland serving several countries. This frenzied and relentless competition leaves mixed feelings, between optimism and incertitudes about the future.
The improvement of infrastructures, of Customs procedures and working methods are certainly starting to bear fruit. But over and above this, a strategy of cooperation and strengthened regional economic integration appears essential for the development of all of Africa. UNCTAD have recently once again pointed out all the stakes. The plan for the development of North-South and East-West transport corridors recently adopted by the African Union can also be one of the instruments. The port cities would then have a completely different place in this concerted development of the African territory.

This dossier comprises 10 documents.

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