From 1857 to this May 2026, it has been exactly 169 years of a rich and multifaceted history for the Port of Dakar, a key player in the national economy. From that date to this significant month of May 2026, the story continues. It bears the mark of a man who celebrated his second anniversary at the helm of the Autonomous Port of Dakar on May 13th: Mr. Waly Diouf Bodiang. This indelible mark is shaping a future of boundless possibilities for this giant of the national economy. The most significant indicator of this positive transformation is the adoption of the Repositioning Plan on September 18, 2025, by the Board of Directors, headed by Professor of Law at UCAD, Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup. This is further evidenced by the World Bank's CPPI ranking, which places the Port of Dakar as the best container port in sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. And it has also seen spectacular global growth. From 371st to 108th place in the world port rankings. To these achievements must be added the remarkable feat of Mr. Waly Diouf Bodiang, who successfully organized the election of staff representatives, which had not been held for nearly 20 years, as well as the adoption of the National Port Strategy in July 2024 in Saly, which grants the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD) national port authority. These significant events undeniably bear the mark of a man who arrived at the Port of Dakar on May 13, 2024, with a complete lack of knowledge of an environment he knew absolutely nothing about. Waly Diouf Bodiang quickly established himself at the helm of a highly strategic infrastructure for the national economy. It is worth recalling that the Port of Dakar handles nearly 95% of the country's trade and 95% of national customs revenue (representing 25% of the state budget). Waly Diouf Bodiang is steadily implementing his vision of a port that will drive Senegal's systemic infrastructural transformation, in line with the 2050 project. He is also speaking frankly to the staff, emphasizing hard work, diligence, and professionalism. His motivational message has consistently emphasized that he has no reason to remain at the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD) because he felt better positioned at the Tax and Land Registry, where he earned more. However, by accepting the challenge at the PAD, he sees it as his way of contributing to the success of the project so dear to his friend, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

From the outset of his mission at the Autonomous Port of Dakar, Waly Diouf Bodiang placed his full confidence in the port expertise found there. Moreover, he relied on these men and women with proven port experience to successfully launch, on February 10th at the Grand Théâtre during the first edition of the "Port Back-to-School" event, the Repositioning Plan, which was approved on September 18, 2025 by the Board of Directors.

This Repositioning Plan will address the following challenges:

Resilience in the face of change.

Optimal and efficient infrastructure;

Operational efficiency;

Efficient and competitive procedures;

Connectivity to the hinterland.

And on the following points:

Performance hub;

Modernization of regional ports;

Enhancing the value of the national hinterland;

Relocation of production chains;

Regional integration and trade facilitation;

environmental issues.

Following this important exercise, which provided the Autonomous Port of Dakar with a new roadmap for the next five years, it implemented a new organizational chart, primarily composed of local port personnel. In addition, the Port adopted a new visual identity with a new logo and a new slogan, "Your Connection to the World," replacing the one dating back to the 2000s. A project team was appointed for the port of Ndayane, and the Port assumed full responsibility for the regional ports of Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Fatick, and Ziguinchor through the appointment of Department Heads and by conducting site visits to engage with and build consensus among all stakeholders in these regions regarding the collaborative management of the regional ports. The project to modernize and streamline the company's internal organization was a priority for the CEO upon his appointment in May 2024. He succeeded in reducing the company's management structure to approximately eight or nine departments and units, compared to over twenty previously. The Board of Directors meeting on September 18th also approved the payment of the growth and performance bonus and addressed the situation of temporary employees and those on suspended fixed-term contracts. Building on the strong performance achieved in 2025, he promised to submit a proposal to the Board of Directors this May for the allocation of bonuses totaling 2 billion CFA francs (an increase of nearly 500 million). These decisions, bearing the signature of CEO Waly Diouf Bodiang, were warmly welcomed by the port unions and workers.

A positive financial outcome in 2024 and 2025

This leadership and vision for the transformation of the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) are not limited to these points. The turnaround work carried out since May 2024 by CEO Waly Diouf Bodiang must also be commended. His leadership has had a significant impact on the company's performance figures. Freight traffic reached 24.58 million tons in 2024, compared to 22.4 million tons in 2023, representing a 7% increase. This figure represents 99% of the annual forecast of 24.82 million tons. Revenue reached 77.34 billion CFA francs in 2024, compared to 70.76 billion CFA francs in 2023, a 9% increase.

This same performance momentum is expected to continue in 2025. Pending official publication following the Board meeting on May 7th, further performance figures are anticipated. Freight traffic is projected to reach approximately 29.66 million tons, compared to 24.58 million tons in 2024, representing a significant increase of 21%. Revenue is expected to reach 84.39 billion in 2025, compared to 77.34 billion in 2024, a substantial growth of 11%, and profit is projected to reach 28.26 billion francs, compared to 22.127 billion in 2024, a record increase of 22%.

In just seven months of management, since his appointment in May 2024, Waly Diouf Bodiang had already achieved a turnover of 77.34 billion francs in 2024, compared to 70.76 billion francs in 2023. This represents a 9% increase. Freight traffic reached 24.58 million tons in 2024, compared to 22.4 million tons in 2023, a 7% increase compared to 2023 and achieving 99% of the annual forecast of 24.82 million tons.

Despite a context marked by monetary tightening and a slowdown in trade exacerbated by international geopolitical tensions, particularly the Gulf War, the Autonomous Port of Dakar is nevertheless doing very well.

This leadership and vision for transformation have enabled the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) to be positioned as the national port authority within the framework of the National Port Strategy, validated in July 2025 in Saly. Within the framework of the National Port Strategy (NPS), the PAD now acts as:

-National coordinator of port hubs (decree 2023-353).

-Operational driver of the repositioning towards a regional maritime hub, aligned with the Senegal 2050 Vision.

-Leader in the modernization of infrastructure (including the flagship project of Ndayane).

Port of Dakar, best container port in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024 according to the World Bank

The ongoing repositioning of the Port of Dakar (PAD) has achieved an initial success. Dakar has been ranked the number one container port in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2024, according to the Port of Dakar Container Port Index (PAPI) published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The PAD's score jumped from -82 in 2023 to +23 in 2024, one of the strongest improvements worldwide. This ranking, which measures the total time ships spend between arriving at anchor and departing from the quay, highlights the spectacular progress made by Senegal in maritime logistics. According to the report, this improvement is due to the fact that "the port, operated by DP World since 2008, has benefited from significant investments (new cranes, expansion of storage areas, port community system)."

Furthermore, the Port of Douala (PAD) has experienced a significant rise in global rankings, jumping from 371st to 108th place in the world's port rankings. This climb of 263 places reflects renewed competitiveness and improved operational efficiency.

In addition, the PAD has been able to improve its land connectivity and facilitate trade through road modernization, the ongoing rehabilitation of the railway to Mali, and the establishment of a single customs window reducing delays.

In his two years at the helm of the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD), Director General Waly Diouf Bodiang has breathed new life into the company, propelling it back onto a path of hope for its employees and for the role it must play in the systemic transformation of the 2050 vision championed by the new authorities. Above all, he has repositioned the Port of Dakar as a key regional and African port hub.

One may agree or disagree with him, but one thing is certain: Waly Diouf Bodiang is successfully repositioning the Autonomous Port of Dakar. The target date is set for the evening of December 31, 2029, the deadline for the 2025-2029 Repositioning Plan.