World Bank Ranked Top East African Ports in 2025
Djibouti and Mogadishu led the regional rankings in the latest performance index for container ports.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Transportation
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In 2025, the World Bank identified Djibouti and Mogadishu as the top-performing ports in the East and Horn of Africa. The rankings were determined by the Container Port Performance Index, which evaluates efficiency based on time spent in port relative to ship size.
Why it matters
Regional shipping faced significant pressure during 2024 and 2025 as the Red Sea crisis forced many vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. This added 10 to 14 days to journey times, highlighting the importance of port efficiency for managing maritime logistics.
Mogadishu increased its annual container-handling capacity to 250,000 twenty-foot equivalent units following the implementation of 24-hour operations. Other regional rankings included Dar es Salaam at 255th, Lamu at 345th, and Mombasa at 396th globally.
The players
World Bank
This international financial institution provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
The details
The index measures efficiency by calculating the total time container ships spend at a port during each visit, adjusted for vessel size and total containers handled. While Mogadishu successfully expanded its terminal capacity, Mombasa struggled with landside and administrative bottlenecks that extended waiting times.
Timeline
In 2024, Lamu Port did not receive a ranking within the global index.
The Red Sea crisis disrupted regional shipping routes throughout 2024 and 2025.
Mogadishu Port opened a new container terminal in 2025.
Market Landscape
The index demonstrates how regional hubs are adapting to global trade pressures, particularly as maritime routes become longer and more complex. Port performance metrics now serve as a critical benchmark for countries looking to attract international shipping lines navigating these shifting corridors.
Increased port efficiency in hubs like Mogadishu can lead to faster cargo processing and potentially lower costs for goods entering the regional supply chain. Consumers and businesses may benefit from improved terminal capacity, which helps mitigate delays caused by broader maritime rerouting.
The takeaway
Reliable port infrastructure is essential for maintaining supply chain stability during times of global maritime instability. Investing in 24-hour operations and expanded handling capacity remains a primary strategy for ports seeking to improve their global competitiveness.
Further reading
For more on international logistics and maritime trends, visit the Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Star.
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