A new UNCTAD-backed initiative is urging African ports to adopt cleaner, smarter and more technology-driven operating models as part of a broader effort to strengthen sustainability, efficiency and long-term competitiveness.
The Sustainable Smart Ports for Africa project aims to help selected countries build port systems that can support sustainable energy use, technology-driven solutions and stronger recovery pathways after the COVID-19 pandemic, while also advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The project’s beneficiaries include ports in Mauritius, Morocco and Ghana.
According to the presentation, the initiative seeks to raise awareness among port and national authorities on the strategic importance of sustainable smart ports, support the integration of sustainability principles into port planning, assess the potential of selected ports to become key players in the transition, and develop a roadmap for implementation.
The project argues that African ports can do more than move cargo. It says ports that embrace the energy transition and technology-based solutions can improve energy efficiency, use and distribute clean energy, and even diversify revenue through energy production and related services.
The presentation identifies several action areas for advancing the sustainable smart port model, including renewable energy, fleet electrification, equipment electrification, onshore power supply, energy efficiency, energy storage and clean fuel bunkering. It also notes that ports must adapt to rising energy demand driven by container growth, greater electrification and increasing reefer activity.
UNCTAD’s findings suggest that electrification alone will not be enough to cut emissions, since much of the electricity supply remains fossil-based in many contexts, meaning emissions may simply shift upstream rather than disappear. The presentation also warns that grid constraints, tariff structures, fragmented governance and weak data systems remain major barriers to progress.
The report says solar PV is currently the most viable near-term renewable option for many ports, especially where rooftop and carport installations can be prioritized due to land limits. It adds that storage, off-site projects and power procurement from independent producers may be necessary for larger-scale deployment.
UNCTAD also points to governance fragmentation as a systemic bottleneck, saying ports are often not fully embedded in national energy frameworks and that planning decisions remain siloed across institutions. It further notes that energy data is frequently fragmented across operators, limiting port-wide visibility and making it difficult to manage demand effectively.
The presentation says the transition pathway is broadly similar across ports, beginning with energy efficiency and data foundations, followed by electrification, renewable integration and future-fuels preparedness. However, the pace and scale of that transition will depend on institutional readiness, policy alignment and investment coordination.
