World Bank ranks Berbera Port East Africa’s most efficient, surpassing Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Ethiopia’s growing trade flows reshape regional logistics.
Berbera Port Emerges as East Africa’s Most Efficient Gateway, Surpassing Mombasa and Dar es Salaam
In September 2025, the World Bank in partnership with S&P Global, released the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2024, ranking over 400 ports worldwide. The findings were striking: Berbera Port in Somaliland emerged as the top-performing port in East Africa, ranked 106th globally. This performance reshapes perceptions of maritime trade in the region, as Berbera leapfrogs traditional hubs like Mombasa (Kenya), which was top in 2024 and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
The CPPI, introduced in 2021, measures efficiency using administrative data and vessel turnaround statistics. The 2024 report shows that strategic investments and governance reforms are paying off in unexpected corners of East Africa.
Berbera’s Rise to the Top
Berbera’s ascent stems from targeted investments. Operated by DP World since 2017 under a 30-year concession, the port has benefited from a $442 million modernization program. Key upgrades include a new container terminal with a capacity of 500,000 TEUs annually, deep-water berths, and state-of-the-art cranes. Vessel turnaround times have been reduced from days to under 24 hours, aligning Berbera with global efficiency benchmarks.
Its strategic position on the Gulf of Aden enhances its appeal. As a gateway to Ethiopia—Africa’s second most populous country with over 120 million people—Berbera offers a viable alternative to Djibouti, which currently handles over 95% of Ethiopia’s maritime trade. According to Ethiopia’s Transport Ministry, Berbera could capture 30% of Ethiopia’s trade volumes by 2030, equivalent to nearly 9 million tonnes of cargo.
“Berbera’s transformation is proof that targeted infrastructure investments can turn a once-overlooked facility into a regional powerhouse,” the World Bank noted in the CPPI report.
Mogadishu’s Resurgence
Mogadishu Port ranked 163rd globally, a notable achievement for a port once plagued by conflict. Managed with support from international partners, the port now handles a growing share of Somalia’s imports, including food staples, fuel, and construction materials.
“Efficiency gains at Mogadishu are a lifeline for our economy and show that Somalia is on the path to recovery,” said Abdirahman Yusuf Ali, a senior official at the Somali Ports Authority, during a September press briefing.
While Mogadishu still faces security and infrastructure challenges, it now outperforms some better-known regional ports.
Mombasa’s Decline
The Port of Mombasa, historically East Africa’s primary trade hub, ranked only 375th globally in the CPPI 2024. Despite handling over 1.4 million TEUs in 2023, its efficiency has slipped due to congestion, red tape, and outdated systems.
“Mombasa remains our economic heartbeat, but inefficiencies are strangling its potential,” admitted Kenya Ports Authority Chairman Benjamin Tayari, calling for urgent reforms earlier this year. Delays at Mombasa can stretch to 72 hours or more, costing shipping companies millions in demurrage charges.
Kenya’s reliance on Mombasa is immense. It handles more than 70% of Kenya’s imports and serves as a critical gateway for Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan. But unless modernization keeps pace with demand, the CPPI suggests Mombasa risks losing its edge to rivals like Berbera.
Dar es Salaam’s Mixed Fortunes
Dar es Salaam Port, ranked around 360th globally, fares slightly better than Mombasa but still struggles with inefficiency. Tanzania has launched a $421 million modernization program backed by the World Bank, aiming to deepen berths and expand handling capacity. Current throughput is estimated at 16 million tonnes annually, with projections to reach 28 million tonnes by 2030 if upgrades succeed.
Despite this, Dar es Salaam is losing competitive ground. Traders from landlocked Zambia and Malawi increasingly complain of delays and high costs compared to using alternative routes through Berbera and Djibouti.
Implications for East Africa’s Trade
The CPPI 2024 highlights a power shift in East Africa’s maritime logistics. For decades, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam dominated, but Berbera’s rise signals that smaller ports, when modernized, can disrupt established hierarchies.
“Port efficiency is no longer a luxury but a necessity for countries looking to integrate into global supply chains,” said Martin Humphreys, Lead Transport Economist at the World Bank. “Berbera shows that with the right investment and governance, smaller ports can leapfrog regional giants.”
The shift carries major implications for Ethiopia, whose import-export flows are expected to reach 27 million tonnes annually by 2030. A diversified access to ports reduces dependence on Djibouti, enhances resilience, and lowers trade costs. Kenya, too, risks losing out on regional transit trade if Mombasa does not reverse its decline.
Conclusion
As of September 2025, Berbera Port stands as East Africa’s most efficient maritime hub, eclipsing Mombasa and Dar es Salaam in the World Bank’s CPPI 2024. Backed by DP World’s investments and Ethiopia’s growing reliance, Berbera is positioning itself as a pivotal trade corridor in the Horn of Africa. Mogadishu, while not at the top, is proving resilient and steadily improving, while Mombasa and Dar es Salaam face mounting pressure to reform.
The message from the World Bank is clear: in East Africa, efficiency is the new measure of influence, and Berbera is setting the pace.
