By Fleury Agou, journalist
Under a clear sky and facing the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, the port of Ndayane, 70 kilometers south of Dakar, is beginning to take shape. The work is progressing. A few parked cranes bear witness to the first operations carried out on this gigantic site. On October 10, 2024, teams from the Autonomous Port of Dakar and the DP World group visited the site to take stock of the progress.
In one year, important steps have been taken: the first earthworks, the securing of the area and the diversion of runoff water have already been carried out, as have 165 meters of protective dike. “We started by securing the location to guarantee the sustainability of future infrastructure”explains Modou Ndiaye, engineer in charge of field work. However, the most anticipated constructions, such as the 850-meter quay and the 5-kilometer shipping channel, have not yet started. Their start-up is planned before the end of 2024.
“Within a few years, the largest container ships in the world will dock here”says one of the members of the team, Senegalese.
The port, still in development, must be the symbol of an ambition: to make Senegal a major logistics hub in West Africa.
DP World, a strategic operator
Since the arrival of DP World in Senegal in 2008, things have changed. The Autonomous Port of Dakar, once congested and dilapidated, is today one of the most efficient in West Africa. The Emirati multinational has injected nearly $300 million to modernize its infrastructure and streamline the flow of goods. In 15 years, the port’s capacity has almost tripled, from 265,000 to 800,000 containers handled per year.
But for DP World, Dakar was only the first step. The Ndayane project, launched in 2020, represents an unprecedented investment for the country, to the tune of $1 billion in two phases. In its first phase, the port will be able to accommodate two 366-meter ships simultaneously, and the second phase will create 410 meters of additional quay for containers and continue the dredging of the shipping channel, which will make it the largest multifunctional port from West Africa. It is Senegal’s first deep-water port, designed to accommodate the world’s largest ships, with a draft of 18 meters and a special economic zone of 300 hectares, ready to welcome international industries and investors. Ndayane aims to raise Senegal to the rank of major port hubs on the continent.
“With Ndayane, we are moving to another scale,” explains an executive at DP World. “This port will help relieve congestion in Dakar and position Senegal as an essential maritime crossroads in the region. » A perspective made possible thanks to the strategic location of the port, close to the Blaise Diagne international airport and on the route of the main maritime routes linking Europe, Asia and America.
With the Ndayane deep water port project, the Senegalese state and the Emirati multinational have sealed a strategic alliance, where Dakar holds 40% of the shares and DP World 60%.
The arrival of Diomaye Faye as president in 2024 raised some questions, particularly after the announcement by the new president of his desire to re-evaluate certain contracts signed during the Macky Sall era, particularly in the maritime and mining sectors. However, according to sources close to the government, President Faye seems “in line with its strategic partner”.
“Senegal has every interest in maintaining harmonious cooperation with DP World”estimates an expert in international trade. “This project is crucial for the country’s economy, and strong cooperation will strengthen Senegal’s credibility with foreign investors. »
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World, also expressed his optimism. In a recent column published after the election of Diomaye Faye, he declared himself “convinced that under the leadership of President Faye, Senegal will continue to promote solid and productive partnerships”. He added that the political stability and openness of Senegal have always been determining elements for DP World’s investment in the country.
“I was happy to hear President Faye reaffirm his commitment to making Senegal a safe and reliable ally for any partner who engages in virtuous and respectful cooperation”he continued. It is this spirit of collaboration and the stability of the country that prompted DP World to invest massively in the development of the port of Ndayane.
For DP World, Dakar represents much more than port infrastructure. The Emirati group sees Senegal as “a strategic anchor point” for its ambitions in Africa. “Senegal is a gateway to West Africa, with political and economic stability which makes it a partner of choice”said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. In a region sometimes marked by uncertainty, this stability is a precious asset.
Senegal, one of the centerpieces of the Emirates’ strategy in West Africa
Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established itself as one of the leading investors in Africa, becoming the fourth largest foreign investor on the continent, behind China, the European Union and the United States. Between 2012 and 2022, the UAE injected nearly $60 billion into high-growth sectors such as infrastructure, energy and logistics, and plans to invest an additional $10 billion by 2026. This dynamic responds to the strategic desire of the Emirates to strengthen their role as a central node between Asia, Africa and Europe, an ambition supported in particular by DP World.
DP World, founded in 2005, is present in more than 60 countries, manages a global network of ports, special economic zones and integrated logistics solutions.
It is a major player in the strategy of the United Arab Emirates. The company has invested more than $1.8 billion in Africa over the past decade and plans to invest an additional $3 billion in the coming years.
For the Emirati group, Dakar is a centerpiece in its African strategy. Present in Egypt, Mozambique and elsewhere, DP World sees Senegal as an ideal gateway to West Africa. “Senegal is a strategic anchor point,” confides Bin Sulayem. “The country’s political and economic stability makes it a partner of choice in a region often marked by uncertainty. »
“We see the Emirates as a leading strategic partner. Senegal offers many investment opportunities for Emirati companies, particularly in industrial zones and agricultural centers,” said Dr. Serigne Gueye Diop, Senegalese Minister of Industry and Commerce, during an organized economic mission by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce last June.
Trade between Senegal and Dubai also reflects this dynamic, with non-oil trade reaching $925.8 million in 2023, an increase of 17.7% compared to the previous year. Moreover, 67 Senegalese companies are now members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
