(Ecofin Agency) - • Over 90% of Africa’s trade passes through ports, now increasingly targeted by cyberattacks.
• In 2024, 174 port-related cyber incidents were recorded globally, with South Africa among the hardest hit.
• Port security is critical to intra-African trade, investment, and regional integration efforts.

Port logistics remain a core pillar of the African economy, with over 90% of the continent’s trade transiting through maritime infrastructure. As digital transformation reshapes operations, African ports face growing exposure to cybersecurity threats.

Modernization efforts have been underway for several years, but the digital shift has introduced vulnerabilities. In 2024, over 600 cybersecurity incidents were reported in the global maritime sector, including 174 targeting port infrastructure, according to Xavier Rebour, director of France Cyber Maritime. South Africa was notably affected when attacks temporarily shut down major ports like Durban and Cape Town during the key export season.

The 2025 African Cybersecurity Barometer, published by CESIA in partnership with EY, reports that nearly 50% of African organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year. Cyber incidents are growing by nearly 40% annually, with financial losses totaling $4 billion in 2023.

Beyond immediate disruptions, cyberattacks weaken intra-African logistics chains and undermine regional integration efforts such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). Delays on trade corridors increase costs and diminish the competitiveness of African goods.

Several African ports have responded with security-focused modernization. The port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire invested nearly $300 million to expand its container terminal, boosting annual capacity to around 3 million TEUs. Morocco’s Tanger Med has received over €1.5 billion since 2007, increasing its capacity to over 9 million TEUs.

Ports are also investing in digital and physical security. At the port of Douala, collaboration with PortSec SA and the deployment of biometric systems led to a sharp drop in cargo theft. In Kribi, integrated platforms for access management, real-time surveillance, and cargo tracking have improved security and attracted increased trade flows.

A PwC study estimates that a 25% improvement in port performance, including security, could raise Africa’s GDP growth by 2%. Examples like Abidjan and Lomé highlight how enhanced safety systems directly contribute to performance gains.

Efforts are also taking shape at the regional level. Initiatives like the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the EU-backed WeCAPS project aim to standardize safety protocols in West and Central Africa. Infrastructure programs such as the African Development Bank-funded Abidjan-Lagos Transnational Coastal Highway—a 1,000 km corridor—illustrate broader connectivity goals.

However, security risks are not solely digital. A mid-2024 surge in maritime traffic around the Cape of Good Hope, triggered by Red Sea shipping diversions, highlighted geopolitical risks and exposed vulnerabilities in some northern and western African ports.

More than a technical requirement, port security is now a strategic imperative. Through secure infrastructure investments, adherence to global standards, and reinforced regional collaboration, African ports can position themselves as key logistics hubs in the global trade system.