AI adoption could expose African ports to cyberattacks – Dantsoho

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho...Photo Credit: NPA

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has warned that the increasing adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in port operations could expose African countries to significant economic disruptions if cybersecurity is not treated as an integral part of maritime security.

He called for stronger cybersecurity measures, regional intelligence sharing and common digital standards across African ports.

Dantsoho, in a statement on Wednesday, made the call following the growing threat of cyberattacks to port operations, international trade and economic stability.

Dantsoho, who is also the President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa, said cyberattacks on port infrastructure were no longer merely information technology problems but threats capable of interrupting trade, disrupting cargo movement and undermining the reliability of maritime supply chains.

“Increasing adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in port operations could expose African countries to significant economic disruptions if cybersecurity is not treated as an integral part of maritime security,” Dantsoho said.

Speaking at the African Ports Conference in Casablanca, Morocco, on Tuesday, Dantsoho cited cyber incidents involving South Africa’s Transnet, the Port of Nagoya in Japan and DP World terminals in Australia as examples of how attacks on digital infrastructure could disrupt port operations and international commerce.

“In July 2021, a cyberattack on Transnet forced South Africa’s container terminals to declare force majeure. In 2023, cyber incidents disrupted the Port of Nagoya and DP World terminals across Australia for days. These were not merely IT problems. They were interruptions to trade,” he said.

Dantsoho stressed that the digital transformation of African ports must be accompanied by adequate security arrangements to protect operational systems, cargo information, revenue collection and the exchange of data among port stakeholders.

• FG unveils new ports regulatory framework, agency logo
• NITDA warns of AI manipulation ahead of 2027 elections
• Firms urged to strengthen data systems for AI adoption

According to him, although artificial intelligence can improve efficiency and decision-making, cybersecurity remains fundamental to ensuring that ports can continue to function during attempts to compromise their systems.

“AI can help a port work more intelligently, but cybersecurity protects its ability to work at all,” Dantsoho said.

Dantsoho warned that the growing interconnection of port systems, government agencies, shipping companies, terminal operators and other service providers could create vulnerabilities if appropriate safeguards were not implemented.

Dantsoho particularly cautioned against allowing digital platforms designed to simplify trade procedures to become single points of failure capable of disrupting entire port communities.

“A single window must not become a single point of failure,” he said.

He said that Nigeria had recently advanced its port digitalisation efforts through the implementation of the National Single Window and a beta version of the Port Community System, which are intended to improve coordination among the Nigeria Customs Service, terminal operators, shipping lines and regulatory agencies.