Qatar and Saudi Arabia Compete for Sudan’s Ports
Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Gibril Ibrahim, has revealed the government’s serious move toward concluding strategic deals to develop ports along the Red Sea coast. He explained that the state is seeking to attract substantial private-sector investments to help rebuild dilapidated infrastructure damaged by the repercussions of the ongoing war.
The minister noted that consultations are underway to identify the most suitable partner with the technical expertise and financial capacity to enhance the efficiency of Sudan’s ports in line with international standards. He stressed that the initiative aims to transform Sudan into a major commercial gateway to the African continent.
Dr. Gibril Ibrahim indicated that the two leading bidders for these deals are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, both of which possess extensive experience in managing global ports and logistics zones. “We will see which partner is best suited to build the port and develop the operating system,” he said, adding that such partnerships are expected to generate substantial financial returns capable of meeting development needs in Red Sea State and across Sudan.
These moves come at a time when Sudanese ports are facing challenges related to container capacity and handling operations, making foreign investment intervention essential to ensure the continuity of the country’s vital exports and imports.
