Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS), in partnership with ONE Africa Forums, successfully hosted the 2026 Africa Ports Forum & Exhibition in Accra from 19th-21st May 2026, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders across Africa’s maritime and logistics sectors.

Held under the theme “Next-Gen African Ports: Driving Performance, Integration and Smart Connectivity,” the prestigious annual forum served as a platform for dialogue on innovation, port efficiency, digital transformation, infrastructure expansion, and regional trade integration.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Honourable Dorcas Affo-Toffey, in her opening remarks, reiterated Ghana’s ambition to become West Africa’s foremost maritime hub.

“Ghana is positioning itself to become West Africa’s leading maritime hub through deliberate investments in infrastructure, policy reforms, and innovation-driven port operations,” she stated. “Initiatives such as 24-hour port operations, the $1.5 billion Tema Port Expansion project, and the development of Takoradi as a dedicated oil and gas hub underscore our commitment to strengthening Ghana’s maritime competitiveness.”

Mr. Mohamed Samara, Chief Executive Officer of MPS, participated in high-level plenary discussions, where he highlighted the company’s forward-looking strategy to transform operations through advanced technologies.

“MPS is preparing to transform the terminal into an AI-enabled smart port, leveraging real-time intelligence, predictive analytics, and operational optimization to drive performance and efficiency,” Mr. Samara said.

In a presentation dubbed Innovation Talks, Mr. Samara further emphasized the organization’s investments in infrastructure and equipment to meet growing trade demands.

“Since the go-live of Terminal 3, our state-of-the-art infrastructure has been equipped with advanced technologies seamlessly integrated into our operating systems. To further boost capacity, we are undertaking a major equipment investment programme, including the deployment of six new Ship-to-Shore cranes, sixteen Electric Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes & a fleet of electric terminal trucks, alongside system upgrades to enhance efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business at the port in an eco-friendly manner.”

MPS also showcased its commitment to stakeholder collaboration during a session by the Stakeholder Engagements Manager, Mr Charles Osafo who highlighted the company’s integrated digital ecosystem.

“MPS collaborates with stakeholders through a robust system of information exchange. Our platforms are fully integrated, enabling seamless transactions across the cargo clearance process through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and XML transmissions with ICUMS and shipping lines,” he explained.

The forum concluded with a guided tour of MPS Terminal 3 at Tema Port, offering participants firsthand exposure to cutting-edge port operations. Attendees observed the full lifecycle of cargo handling, from export gating processes to import delivery, and experienced live demonstrations of crane Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology at the quay.

The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mahmoud Ayoub presented the terminal’s Business Intelligence dashboard, providing insights into real-time operations, crane performance monitoring, vessel and yard planning, digital twin capabilities, and live weather tracking systems. The session also covered operational efficiency measures, including shift systems and predictive analytics tools.

Participants expressed strong admiration for MPS’ leadership and technological advancement, commending its role in enhancing port operations and setting new benchmarks for efficiency in the sub-region.

Watch the making of MPS Terminal 3 here: