Sustainable growth, lasting infrastructure, and inclusive employment in Africa are only achievable through strong collaboration between governments and businesses, according to APM Terminals’ Regional Managing Director for Africa and Europe, Igor van den Essen.
Speaking at the recently concluded Africa CEO Forum held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, van den Essen emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in enabling long-term development across the continent. He made these remarks during a panel session titled “Charting New Trade Routes: Strengthening the Resilience of African Supply Chains,” where he noted that cooperation between public and private sectors had been a consistent theme throughout the forum.
Van den Essen pointed to APM Terminals’ activities in Nigeria as a model for this approach. He explained that the company is actively engaging with the Nigerian Port Authority and government stakeholders to upgrade its terminal in Lagos. The goal is to accommodate larger vessels, improve connectivity, and reduce the cost of doing business. He described this initiative as an example of operational excellence rooted in local collaboration, long-term planning, and a customer-focused approach that builds predictability and stability.
He was joined on the panel by Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority – Great Horn Investment; Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of CEVA Logistics; and Hien Yacouba SIE, Managing Director of the Port Autonome d’Abidjan.
Van den Essen further emphasized Africa’s rising significance in global trade, driven by its rapidly growing populations and economies. However, he warned that without substantial investment in transport infrastructure—especially ports, roads, and railways—the continent’s infrastructure gap will continue to widen
He stated that economic development is directly tied to strong port infrastructure, and that upgrades to seaports, improved inland connections, and the development of trade corridors are among the most powerful tools for boosting competitiveness, increasing exports, and driving growth.
According to him, investing in infrastructure is a direct investment in Africa’s future, as it supports local industries, attracts private capital, and lays the foundation for stable and self-sustaining progress.
Van den Essen added that APM Terminals is going beyond the quay in its investment strategy by building integrated logistics services. These include cold chain solutions, distribution hubs, and digital tools aimed at improving safety, reliability, and operational performance.
He stressed that integration is key to removing trade barriers, unlocking efficiencies, and delivering tangible benefits for all stakeholders.
The Africa CEO Forum brought together over 2,000 leaders and decision-makers from across the public and private sectors to explore how unlocking capital and improving logistics and infrastructure can help drive the continent’s next phase of growth.
Representing APM Terminals at the forum alongside van den Essen were Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria; Courage Obadagbonyi, CFO of APM Terminals Nigeria; Siebe Ruijgh, Head of Investment for Africa; and Robert Ruifrok, Head of Maersk Netherlands and Terminals Relations.
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