By Dr. Harry Barnes-Dabban, Founder and Executive Coordinator of Ports Environmental Network-Africa*
Most African ports have in the last decade been undergoing institutional restructuring influenced by economic liberalisation, which is a prominent feature of globalisation processes. The ports are beginning to transform from their typical service and tool port management model towards landlord in which the port authorities take charge of port infrastructure, maritime access and port regulation, while port operations and logistical functions are concessioned to the private sector.