Africa at a crossroads
The commissioning of phases 1 and 2 of the expanded MPS Terminal in Tema, Ghana, marks more than the completion of a major infrastructure project. It signals how African economies can strengthen their position in global trade and compete effectively in the decades ahead with visionary decisions made at the right time. Developed through a partnership between the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), APM Terminals and Africa Global Logistics, the terminal is now one of the largest and most advanced on the continent. Together with major players such as Tangier Med and Suez Canal Container Terminal operating at scale in the North, Tema is fast evolving and establishing its name among major shipping lines as a key transshipment hub in the West.
Tema’s evolution into a highly efficient, digitally driven and future-ready port is neither a coincidence nor just a reflection of growing container volumes. What makes this port a frontrunner was the vision established more than a decade ago and implementation through long-term planning, strong governance and coordinated investment. Tema is a clear example of how Africa can scale modern port infrastructure to support growing markets and industries.
Tema’s rise: What strategic partnerships can achieve
Global trade pressures underline the urgency of this approach. While the global container fleet is expanding at 5-6% annually, port capacity is increasing by only 2-3% per year. By the end of last year, average waiting times had reached 6.4 hours in developed economies and 10.9 hours in developing economies. This imbalance between port capacity and demand for container volumes is already contributing to congestion, delays and higher supply-chain costs - and will intensify without further targeted investment. (....)