The Director General of the Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD), Waly Diouf Bodiang, officially installed the new head of the Ziguinchor port department, Coumba Diouf Niang. This ceremony, which included a meeting with regional economic stakeholders, allowed the head of the PAD to clarify the management procedures for the port infrastructure serving the southern capital.

The integration of the port of Ziguinchor into the Autonomous Port of Dakar is presented as a sovereign decision of the State of Senegal, formalized by presidential decree. According to the management, this is not an isolated initiative, but an act consistent with the national port policy aimed at harmonizing the country's port facilities.

A driver of regional economic development

The stated ambition is clear: to make the port of Ziguinchor a true engine of growth for the Casamance region. Waly Diouf Bodiang explains that the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) is arriving with a structuring project and qualified human resources to transform the infrastructure into a competitive hub. This dynamic relies on the diversification of investments, securing port land, and developing maritime traffic, in line with the "Senegal 2050" vision.

From a technical standpoint, this transformation relies on a transfer of skills through specialized personnel and facilities that meet international security standards. The objective is to guarantee optimal handling of goods and continuous access for ships through rigorous infrastructure maintenance.

Towards inclusive and co-constructed governance

Waly Diouf Bodiang sought to reassure local stakeholders: the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) does not intend to impose unilateral management. He clarified that the autonomous port is engaged in a collaborative process with regional stakeholders. Governance will thus be the result of ongoing dialogue between the port authority, local communities, and regional economic operators.