By: Oreulse

A 15-member group of port officials from Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal is spending a week touring the United States, from September 12 through 19, to explore technologies that can modernize port infrastructure and bolster maritime security back home.

Organized by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the itinerary includes stops at the Port of New York and New Jersey, Liberty Bayonne, and the Port of Wilmington, giving delegates firsthand exposure to automation systems, logistics technology, and cybersecurity infrastructure used at these facilities.

According to USTDA, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to major supply-chain hubs handling significant volumes of cargo, and the region's port sector is well positioned for modernization efforts that could improve both cargo-handling efficiency and overall security.

This trip follows a year in which trade between the US and Sub-Saharan Africa reached approximately $56.35 billion, based on 2025 figures. Among the delegation's home countries, Nigeria represented the largest share of that trade at $11.8 billion, comprising $6.78 billion in US exports and $5.02 billion in imports. Angola followed with $2.05 billion in total trade — $1.18 billion in US exports and $871.1 million in imports — much of it tied to equipment for the energy sector. Kenya recorded $1.84 billion in trade activity, including $982.4 million in US exports and $862.2 million in imports, covering sectors like aerospace and apparel. Senegal rounded out the group with $659.6 million in total trade, split between $441.7 million in US exports and $217.9 million in imports, largely involving agricultural products and manufactured goods.

USTDA has also scheduled a business briefing in Washington for September 16, where the visiting officials will present details on upcoming port projects planned in their respective countries and meet directly with potential US technology suppliers. The session aims to create a direct connection between the delegation and American companies offering automation, logistics, and cybersecurity solutions, allowing vendors to present their technology to officials with procurement authority over their home ports.

Over the weeklong trip, the delegation will visit three distinct facilities — the Port of New York and New Jersey, Liberty Bayonne, and the Port of Wilmington — exposing officials to varying scales and setups of automation and security systems before the group reconvenes for the Washington briefing.

This visit reflects a broader effort among African port authorities to upgrade their automation and cybersecurity capabilities. This shift could pave the way for partnerships with US technology vendors and future infrastructure collaborations across the continent's port industry.