By Mahdi Waziri Isa
Renowned Law Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan has called for immediate action to enhance the security of Africa’s maritime trade, warning that deep-sea ports, strategic gulfs, and sea routes anchoring the continent’s economy are under growing pressure from global conflicts and shifting shipping patterns.
Prof. Ladan explained that in 2026, Africa’s maritime trade is anchored by key deep-sea ports like Lekki in Nigeria, Tema in Ghana, and Tanger Med in Morocco, alongside strategic gulfs such as the Gulf of Guinea and the Cape of Good Hope. These serve as vital, albeit challenged, routes for oil and containerised goods amid increased reliance on automation and rehabilitation of older ports.
He identified the Gulf of Guinea as the most critical maritime corridor for African oil and gas exports, spanning from Nigeria to Angola. While it is a major hub for international trade, he said it requires high levels of security management. The Cape of Good Hope has become a crucial route connecting Europe with Asia, particularly vital in 2026 as a primary alternative when security issues arise in the Red Sea/Suez Canal. The Gulf of Aden, though prone to geopolitical risks, remains a key route for East African trade, connecting to the Indian Ocean.
On ports, Prof. Ladan noted that Lekki Deep Sea Port operates as a major, modernised hub in 2026, handling large vessels and easing congestion for containerised trade. Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are undergoing large-scale rehabilitation to modernise operations and enhance handling capacity in 2026, while Onne Port is seeing increased investment. Tema Port in Ghana functions as a major container terminal and critical logistics node in West Africa. Tanger Med Port in Morocco continues as a key logistical hub connecting Africa with Europe and global routes, and Mombasa in Kenya remains the primary gateway for East African imports and exports.
He highlighted three key trends and challenges in 2026. First, operational shifts toward port digitalisation, such as the National Single Window, to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance efficiency rather than just capacity. Second, inland corridor development, including the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, is improving connectivity and reducing logistics costs. Third, security concerns persist, with high freight rates and insurance premiums anticipated in areas like the Gulf of Guinea, necessitating enhanced security.
Prof. Ladan said the March 2026 USA-Israel-Iran war has severely disrupted global shipping, forcing traffic away from the Red Sea/Suez Canal and toward the Cape of Good Hope, making Africa’s maritime security crucial. Rising shipping costs, surging insurance premiums, and oil price volatility — increasing costs for importers like Kenya while benefiting some exporters — highlight the continent’s vulnerability to global shocks.
He outlined four key strategic lessons. First, critical infrastructure risk: reliance on a few key maritime chokepoints like the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz is a high-risk strategy, threatening to paralyse trade to and from Africa. Second, the “Cape Route” is the new normal: the Cape of Good Hope is no longer just a contingency, but a critical, permanent alternative route needing increased security and infrastructure development. Third, economic vulnerability: the conflict has triggered oil price volatility and increased costs for African importers while simultaneously inflating freight rates, which fuels regional inflation. Fourth, security spillover: the threat of violence is spilling into the Indian Ocean, elevating the threat of piracy and illegal trafficking along the African coast.
On the way forward, Prof. Ladan listed five priorities. Africa must enhance surveillance and security along the Cape of Good Hope and the Mozambique Channel, which have become high-traffic, high-risk zones. Investing in modernising ports and maritime infrastructure along the coast in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya is urgent to handle increased traffic and boost efficiency. Strengthening initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is crucial to reducing dependency on external trade routes. Increasing renewable energy production is essential to reduce vulnerability to oil price shocks caused by Middle East conflicts.
Finally, establishing a unified African diplomatic stance on maritime security will help navigate future disruptions.