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Cyberattacks Threaten African Ports and Trade, Urgent Call for Security Measures

Cyberattacks Threaten African Ports and Trade, Urgent Call for Security Measures

First seen 21 Oct 2026, 22:38 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 22, 2026 at 00:10 UTC
  • •Cyberattacks on African ports threaten trade and economic stability.
  • •Past incidents include significant disruptions at major ports due to cyberattacks.
  • •Dantsoho advocates for improved cybersecurity measures and regional cooperation.

Abubakar Dantsoho, MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority, warned at the African Ports Conference in Casablanca about the increasing threat of cyberattacks on African ports, which could disrupt trade and economic stability. He cited past incidents, including a 2021 cyberattack on South Africa's Transnet and disruptions at the Port of Nagoya and DP World terminals in 2023, highlighting that these attacks are not just IT issues but significant threats to maritime supply chains. Dantsoho urged for stronger cybersecurity measures, regional intelligence sharing, and common digital standards across ports. He emphasized the need for operational technology to be separated from administrative networks and for ports to maintain tested backups and recovery plans. The NPA plans to enhance regional cooperation on cybersecurity and has developed a benchmarking framework with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. He also called for the establishment of a working group on AI and data governance, integrating cybersecurity and digital resilience into its responsibilities.

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Timeline

2021-07-01
Cyberattack on Transnet
A cyberattack forced South Africa’s Transnet container terminals to declare force majeure.
Thecable.Ng
2023-01-01
Cyber incidents disrupt major ports
Cyber incidents in 2023 disrupted operations at the Port of Nagoya and DP World terminals in Australia for several days.
Tribuneonlineng
2026-10-21
Dantsoho speaks at African Ports Conference
Dantsoho called for stronger cybersecurity measures and regional cooperation at the conference in Casablanca.
Thecable.Ng

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Common questions

What are the main threats to African ports?
Cyberattacks threaten to disrupt cargo movement and undermine maritime supply chains.
What measures are being proposed?
Dantsoho proposed sharing cyber threat intelligence and establishing common data standards across ports.
How can ports improve their cybersecurity?
Ports should separate operational technology from administrative networks and maintain tested backups and recovery plans.