Senegal is moving forward with the construction of the $1.2 billion Ndayane Deepwater Port, a landmark infrastructure project designed to position the country as a leading logistics and maritime hub in West Africa.
Developed through a public-private partnership between the Government of Senegal, DP World, and British International Investment (BII), the project marks the largest port investment in Senegal’s history and one of the most ambitious on the continent.
Located about 50 kilometers south of Dakar, the Ndayane Port will feature a state-of-the-art deep-water terminal capable of accommodating mega container ships that currently bypass many West African ports due to depth limitations. The port will also include a 600-hectare integrated economic and logistics zone, aimed at promoting trade, manufacturing, and industrial development.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, construction began in December 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2028. Once operational, the port is expected to significantly decongest the Port of Dakar, improve turnaround times, and strengthen Senegal’s position as a regional trade gateway.
DP World, the Dubai-based global ports operator, has committed to building modern port infrastructure that meets international standards, while BII’s involvement underscores growing investor confidence in Senegal’s long-term economic prospects.
Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, described the project as a “transformative investment for national and regional growth,” emphasizing that the Ndayane Port will create thousands of jobs, enhance logistics efficiency, and stimulate exports across sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
The project is part of Senegal’s broader Plan Sénégal Émergent (PSE) — a national strategy to diversify the economy, attract foreign investment, and expand infrastructure to support sustainable development.
Analysts say the Ndayane Deepwater Port will not only boost Senegal’s competitiveness in global trade but also reinforce West Africa’s integration into international supply chains.
Once completed, the Ndayane Port is expected to handle up to 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, positioning Senegal as a strategic maritime hub connecting Africa to Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
