DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem met Senegalese President Macky Sall as part of his tour of West and North Africa to confirm the development of infrastructure projects in the country.

The discussions, attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Dionne and senior government officials, confirmed the plan for Port Du Futur. An agreement has been finalised on land allocation for the associated free zone and construction will start before the end of 2018. Meanwhile, DP World will also provide a master plan for the redevelopment of the old port of Dakar. Other topics included customs and logistics in the country.

Port de Futur will be a multi-purpose port with an economic and logistics zone adjacent to the new Blaise Diagne International Airport. It will allow for the creation of cargo, free movement of goods to support the country’s economic diversification and boost non-resource exports. It is expected to be one of the most advanced and well-organised free zones in Africa and globally with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

The visit was part of bin Sulayem’s annual Africa tour to explore trade links and solutions connecting the region to the world. He underlined the company’s commitment to supporting the economic growth of Senegal and developing Dakar into a major logistics hub and gateway.

Earlier this year, DP World published an economic impact study by EY on the role of its Dakar Container Terminal, noting that 31,000 Senegalese nationals have been supported by the company’s activities with a 63 percent increase in the city’s imports and exports between 2010 and 2015 as a result of infrastructure investments.

"African nations are determined to develop their infrastructure to encourage trade and the growth of their economies.

''The region has major trade potential, especially for landlocked nations seeking gateways to the sea and connectivity between them will be key. The size of the region and their populations reinforces the need for multi-modal transport, logistics and customs capabilities across borders and as our business moves the world across 40 countries we have the know-how to help in that mission. In addition, we are already part of Africa’s future sharing our experience on cargo movement across the continent’s supply chain and have the experience to deliver major projects there," bin Sulayem said.

DP World is also investing in future generations with a focus on education and training in Senegal. Through the Global Education Programme, it is collaborating with local schools to help students learn about the trade and logistics sector. It has delivered 2,500 training programmes in Dakar and also supported the building of a nursery school in M’Bam village, outside the city.