A Benchmark Study of Shipping & Cargo Throughput in West and Central Africa

Abstract

The work analyzed trade flows for major commodity groups in the West and Central Africa sub region with view to creating a trade hub for the region. Direction of trade and major export commodities in the region were identified and analyzed with a view to determining the pattern of trade flow in the region. A trend flow analysis of the import and export trade flows were analyzed and major trade hubs identified using several analytical methods including principal component analysis, trend analysis and other economic tools. Three major coastal ports situated along the West and Central Africa coast were analysed in terms of their varying suitability for a trade hub if eventually chosen as a trade hub. These analyses were further extended to identify most centrally located ports in the region in terms of both distance and cargo throughput.

Keyword: Principal component analysis, port benchmarking, trade hub, West Africa, Central African ports