Conakry Terminal Aims to Surpass One Million Containers as Guinea’s Trade Accelerates

Conakry Terminal is poised to reach a new milestone. The concessionaire of the container terminal at the Autonomous Port of Conakry now aims to exceed one million containers handled, driven by Guinean trade volumes that have grown much faster than initially projected. To steer this new phase of expansion, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a subsidiary of the MSC Group, has appointed Édouard Léno as its new General Manager.

A Surge in Activity

The leadership change comes on the heels of a significant acceleration in operational activity. Conakry Terminal handled 416,892 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2025, up from approximately 300,000 containers in 2023. In June 2026, officials from the Autonomous Port of Conakry and AGL noted that the volumes originally expected by 2030 had already been achieved in 2025. The terminal is further projected to surpass 500,000 containers in 2026.

This growth extends beyond mere volume. The number of maritime services calling at the terminal has doubled, increasing from three in 2023 to six in 2026. However, this rapid expansion has placed considerable pressure on port infrastructure and the surrounding logistics chain, leading to congestion episodes recorded in 2025. Authorities and operators emphasize that efficient container evacuation depends not only on port operations but also on road capacity, storage facilities, and logistics platforms located outside the port perimeter.

Expansion Program Already Underway

To support this ramp-up in activity, Conakry Terminal reports having already invested nearly €250 million in infrastructure modernization, handling equipment, and the development of the Kagbélén dry port. Plans also include the construction of a new quay and over 20 hectares of additional yard space. These enhancements are scheduled to be commissioned progressively between late 2026 and early 2028, with the goal of doubling the terminal’s current capacity.

Édouard Léno, who has held several senior leadership roles within AGL in Africa, including Regional Finance Director, assumes his new position in a context where port capacity must keep pace with demand that arrived earlier than anticipated. An AGL press release confirms the objective of crossing the one-million-container threshold; during a press meeting in August, the new General Manager placed this ambition within the 2029–2030 timeframe.

A Dual Challenge: Port and Logistics

For Guinea, the challenge is now both port-related and logistical. Absorbing increased cargo volumes requires simultaneous strengthening of quays, storage spaces, and evacuation routes into the country’s interior.