Is AD Ports building an Atlantic-to-Red Sea land bridge? AD Ports signed a heads of terms (HoT) agreement to explore developing and operating a multipurpose terminal at Matadi Port — the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) primary Atlantic gateway, according to a statement.

Right on cue: The UAE signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement earlier this week with the DRC — aiming to slash tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, and open up private sector collaboration in mining, agriculture, and clean energy.

Why it matters

For AD Ports, this significantly expands its footprint in Africa — adding to its existing logistics portfolio in Egypt, Angola, Tanzania, and the Republic of Congo. By securing a foothold in Matadi, the group is aligning itself at the center of import and export flows in one of the continent’s most strategic trade corridors.

How so, Enterprise? Matadi is a critical maritime gateway for the DRC — a nation that shares borders with nine countries and serves as a natural hub for regional trade in Africa. The port, located along the Congo River, hosts a 350k TEU general cargo capacity and is situated some 150 km upstream from the Atlantic Ocean.

What’s next?

The HoT will serve as a roadmap for both parties — we can expect further technical and commercial assessment as they move toward a definitive agreement for the terminal’s development. Success here would likely lead to streamlined trans-African trade volumes and enhanced global market access for the DRC.

Background

Elsewhere in the region: AD Ports previously partnered with logistics solutions firm CMA CGM on a JV to develop and operate the New East Mole multipurpose terminal in neighboring Congo. Other Emirati players have also secured footholds in the area: DP World is developing a deep-sea container port in the DRC, while state-owned International Holding Company inked an agreement last year to buy 56% of Alphamin Resources, which owns the Bisie tin mine operation in Congo.

Global players are scrambling for a stake in mineral-rich DRC

The DRC holds some 72% of the world’s cobalt reserves and accounts for over 74% of supply. Its exports grew around 37.5% y-o-y to USD 29.6 bn in 2024, settling at 70th place (out of 226) in terms of total exports per country globally, according to OEC data. Imports stood at less than half of that — at USD 11.5 bn.

In other AD Ports news

AD Ports Group locked in capital to finish its Safaga multipurposeterminal in Egypt. The group secured a USD 115 mn project finance facility, backed by a USD 61 mn loan from the International Finance Corporation and USD 54 mn from the National Bank of Kuwait (Egypt). The 15-year tenor funding supports the development of the USD 200 mn Noatum Ports-Safaga Terminal, set to become the first internationally operated port in Upper Egypt.

Why it matters: The Safaga project aims to move freight from road to sea and reduce logistics distances for Upper Egypt’s mining and agricultural sectors by up to 500 km. The terminal is currently scheduled for completion in 2H 2026. Once operational, it will handle 450k TEUs and 5 mn tons of dry bulk annually, serving as a critical hub in AD Ports’ expanding footprint in Egypt.

BACKGROUND- AD Ports inked a definitive 30-year concession agreement with Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority to develop and operate a multipurpose terminal at Safaga Port just over a year ago.

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