The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has urged for the swift completion of international highways and the construction of high-speed rail links connecting Nigeria to landlocked countries in Africa.

Speaking at the 44th annual council and 19th roundtable of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Conakry, Guinea, Dantsoho highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to diversify Nigeria’s economy from oil to non-oil exports. He pointed out that Africa has 16 out of the 44 landlocked countries globally, and it is crucial for coastal nations to provide access to the sea for their landlocked neighbors.

Dantsoho proposed the development of transnational road and rail networks, such as the Niger, Lagos, Tema, and Abidjan International Highways, which would cut across both hinterland and coastal regions. He emphasized that these initiatives would enhance trade facilitation, reduce transportation costs, and improve efficiency.

The NPA MD also stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between coastal and inland states to share ideas, leverage technological advancements, and streamline cargo movement across the region.

The meeting also underscored the need for regional partnerships to harmonize policies, improve port operations, and share best practices. Dantsoho concluded that optimizing hinterland connectivity through a mix of infrastructure development, digital technology, and diplomatic cooperation is key to fostering economic growth in the region. In support of this, Mamadou Biro Diallo, Managing Director of Port Autonome de Conakry, also reinforced the importance of integrated logistics and stronger public-private partnerships to build more efficient supply chains supporting both local and global trade.