GHBP Africa

Major Ports & Transportation Infrastructure

Learn about African Ports, their infrastructure, throughput and hinterlands. Learn about Ocean ports interaction with other modes of transportation in African regions and their logistics implications.

NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT

Nepad is a comprehensive and integrated strategic framework conceived and developed by African leaders to address key social, economic and political issues in Africa. It is also a commitment that African leaders are making to African people and to the international community to place Africa on a path of sustainable growth and to integrate the African continent into the global economy.
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Featuring African Ports
IVORY COAST (Port of Abidjan)
THE GAMBIA (Port of Banjul)
During a visit from a Gambian delegation on October 19th. 2000, a Cooperation Agreement has been signed between the Port of Houston Authority & the Gambia Port Authority.
NAMIBIAN PORTS AUTHORITY
During a visit from Mr. Jerome Mouton representing the Port of Walvis Bay, a Cooperation Agreement has been signed between the Port of Houston Authority and the Namibian Ports Authority on April 9th, 2001.		  
PORT NEWS & CONDITIONS (Powered by OT Africa Line) *** (New Item) *** This is a very useful description of 13 African ports among other ports served by OT Africa Line.
 
CAMEROON NATIONAL PORTS AUTHORITY
Abdoulaye Ba (Trade Manager)
Port Authority of Douala
Cameroon
Tel: 011 237 42 74 44
IVORY COAST
Port of Abidjan
Marcel Gossio (Port Director)
Port Authority of Abidjan
P.O. Box V 85 Abidjan
Tel. 011 225 21 23 81 01 or 011 225 07 07 56 95
Fax. 011 225 21 23 80 80 or 011 225 21 23 81 81
Email: dgpaa@aviso.ci
GAMBIA
During a visit from a Gambian delegation on October 19th. 2000, a Cooperation Agreement has been signed between the Port of Houston Authority & the Gambia Port Authority.
Ibrahima D.K. Jangana (Managing Director)
Gambia Ports Authority
Liberation Avenue
P.O. Box 617
Banjul, Gambia
Tel: 011 220 22 72 66
Fax: 011 220 22 72 68
Email: gamportmd@gamtel.gm
Featuring African Businesses
HOMELAND MART

This site features a very original collection of African clothing, furnishing, sculptures, masks and other arts & crafts. You can basically buy anything from throws, table clothes, hats, shirts, men and women outfits, bags and shoes. All products are of a very high quality and professionally designed. Please visit the site and see for yourself. The store is located in Manhattan (New York) and is owned by a successful Senegalese businessman who was ranked best African businessman of the year in New York in 2000. Homeland Authentics has been the largest importer of African fabrics in the U.S. for the last 8 years.

 
Political Climate & Implications on the Freight Industry

What are the implications of the political climate on the freight industry in African regions? What can be done? Because consistent measures have not been taken timely and appropriately, a lot of African countries are still experiencing poor customs procedures, lack of transparency, deficient or late information, difficulties in cargo movements in interior regions, poor intermodal connections, and costly delays. The percentage of damaged or stolen cargo even though not catastrophic compared to other regions of the world, could be improved consistently through the implementation of access control measures to dedicated personnel within terminals, airports and ports or other cargo-related facilities. There is hope for a big change thanks to the inevitable generation shift,
and thanks to the new trade perception or vision of African leaders today.
Information Technology
The deficiency in technological and modern means of communications seriously affects the freight industry in most African countries. Some ports are stepping up to remain competitive, while others are experiencing a slow or stagnant productivity therefore impacting economic activities in their surrounding regions. Telecommunications and affiliated services, such as the Internet, wherever available are still extremely expensive in most African countries today. Privatization of the major communications companies seems to be the current trend in a lot of African countries where the telecommunications market is being opened to well-known telecommunications operators through bids in several areas (Internet, cellular networks, and so forth). Consistent telecommunications networks are the key to timely, efficient and reliable data transmission for the maritime industry within a given community.
Educational
Education in the Freight Industry is a must in Africa. Most people who access jobs in that field receive a training "on-the-spot" without completely realizing the complexity of the profession. It is important to sensitize freight forwarders, customhouse brokers, insurance brokers, truckers, ocean, rail, and air carriers and other freight-related professionals about certain legal and environmental issues. There is an obligation for all these actors to comprehend the serious and very positive impact they can all have on the economy of the African regions where their trade is directed.
Investment/Business Opportunities
There are quite a few areas in Africa where someone can invest and obtain considerable benefits:

Basic Training in Computer Technology & Windows Environment

  • Internet & Web technologies
  • Transportation Infrastructure
  • Logistics & Distribution
  • Training in Information Technology Fields as they apply to International Trade
  • Energy Distribution
  • To name a few ...
Promising Exports
The following items could generate huge return on investment for a U.S. entrepreneur:
  • Agricultural Machinery & Equipment.
  • Automotive Parts, Accessories, Service Equipment.
  • Building Materials & Supplies.
  • Computer Software & Services.
  • Computers & Peripherals.
  • Contruction Equipment & Machinery.
  • Drugs & Pharmaceuticals.
  • Education & Training Services.
  • Food Processing & Packaging Machinery & Equipment.
  • Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment.
  • Power Generating & Distribution Equipment.
  • Telecommunications Equipment & Systems.
Current Major Projects

These projects include:

  • The Dredging and deepening of some African ports to increase their competitiveness.
  • The Improvement of Land Infrastructures to flow truck traffic and other land-related freight movements through interior regions.
  • The Implementation of a Uniform Customs System to relate all African ports within a single database (major improvements on the way).
Interesting Links:

www.world-ports.com Provides information about all the ports in the world, their characteristics, and their hinterland. Also, economic and socio-political data, as well as data about transportation infrastructures is provided.

Provides information about all the ports in the world, their characteristics, and their hinterland. Also, economic and socio-political data, as well as data about transportation infrastructures is provided.

www.africana.com Developed by two Harvard alumni, this site is one of the most elaborated African-American sites available now on the Web. See for yourself.


www.allAfrica.com This link takes you to a good News Briefing site by country and covers the whole continent from West to East and from North to South. Formerly known as Panafrican News Agency, this News Paper is now being renamed AllAfrica.com on the Web and covers all political, social, economic and cultural issues about African nations. For those of you who want to remain informed about the most current issues in Africa, we strongly recommend it.

Foreign Embassies of Washington, DC Find a site containing all the information about foreign embassies in Washington, D.C.
All the addresses, phone& fax numbers, emails and Web sites (when available) of African embassies in the District of Colombia are provided. African Consulates in the Houston Area will soon be available ...

 
 
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