Marsa Maroc, one of Africa’s leading port operators, has taken a significant step in its international expansion by signing a port management contract with the National Port Authority of Liberia (NPA) to operate key facilities at the Port of Monrovia, the West African nation’s principal deep-water gateway, starting in the first half of 2026.
Under the agreement, awarded following an international call for tenders, Marsa Maroc will deploy its subsidiary Marsa Maroc International Logistics (MMIL) to undertake rehabilitation works, install port equipment and provide technical expertise — particularly in bulk handling operations — at two major jetties within the Freeport of Monrovia.
The contract marks the first phase of a long-term strategic collaboration between the Moroccan operator and Liberia’s port authority. In a second phase, both parties aim to negotiate a concession agreement for the development and operation of a new multipurpose terminal that is expected to handle the majority of Liberia’s commercial trade flows.
Strengthening Liberia’s Maritime Gateway
The Port of Monrovia is Liberia’s busiest and most strategically important maritime facility, serving as the main conduit for imports and exports. By bringing in international operational standards and maritime expertise, the partnership is expected to increase throughput efficiencies, modernize port infrastructures and enhance the overall logistics competitiveness of the Liberian maritime sector.
According to the Marsa Maroc press release, this project will significantly enhance operational performance and aligns with a shared vision between both partners to modernize Liberia’s port infrastructure and support sustainable economic development and regional integration.
Part of a Broader African Expansion Strategy
The Monrovia project fits within Marsa Maroc’s broader strategy to expand its footprint on the African continent. The company already manages 34 terminals across 20 ports and handles more than 60 million tonnes of cargo annually.
This entry into Liberia comes amid a wave of investments by the Moroccan operator in West and East Africa, and reflects growing demand for experienced port operators capable of modernizing infrastructure in emerging maritime markets.
The move also highlights cross-continental collaboration in port development, as African states seek to leverage international expertise to boost trade capacities, strengthen supply chain resilience and support broader economic growth.
Looking Ahead
As the first stage of operations prepares to commence in early 2026, industry stakeholders will be watching closely how the Marsa Maroc–NPA partnership evolves — particularly regarding the future multipurpose terminal concession, which could reshape cargo flows and unlock new commercial opportunities in Liberia and the wider West African region.
