DP World to invest more than $1B in new Africa investment platform

Dubai-based port developer and operator DP World has unveiled the creation of an African investment platform in partnership with the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor CDC Group (CDC).

As informed, the platform covers a long-term investment period. DP World is contributing its stakes in three existing ports initially and expects to invest a further $1 billion through the platform over the next several years.

What is more, CDC is committing approximately $320 million initially and expects to invest up to a further $400 million over the next several years.

The transaction is subject to certain final regulatory approvals.

Specifically, the platform will invest in origin and destination ports, inland container depots, economic zones and other logistics across Africa to increase trade, create new job opportunities and broaden access to essential goods.

It will initially be seeded with minority stakes in existing DP World assets with significant capacity expansion plans, including Dakar (Senegal), Sokhna (Egypt) and Berbera (Somaliland).

Trade enabled through the ongoing expansions is expected to create an additional 138,000 employment opportunities in the wider economy. By 2035, the ports are expected to support stable employment for around 5 million people indirectly.

“We are excited to announce a partnership with CDC Group that will enable increased investment in ports and logistics infrastructure across Africa, driving efficiency and trade growth. The partnership will create transformational opportunities for tens of millions of people over the next decade,” Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, commented.

“In CDC, we have found a partner with whom we share the common goal to invest in the long term and help build responsible and sustainable infrastructure in Africa, which is key to unlocking the trade potential of the continent.”

“Africa’s full potential is limited by inadequate ports and trade bottlenecks, putting the brakes on economic growth in some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and undermining social resilience in the least developed parts of the world,” Nick O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, CDC, said.

“This platform will help entrepreneurs and businesses accelerate growth with access to reliable trade routes, and it will help African consumers benefit from the improved reliability and reduced cost of vital goods and food staples.”