Comparison of port efficiency between Eastern and Western African ports using DEA Window Analysis

Abstract

East and West Africa are currently the regions with the fastest economic development growth in Africa. In this article, East and West African major ports efficiency over time are measured and analyzed using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Window Analysis. A comparison of port efficiency between East and West African ports is then made based on the results found. The Container throughput, the total terminal area, the number of cranes, the number of berths and the quay length have been used as input and output variables. The findings demonstrate that though West African ports have bigger ports size and have a higher Container throughput TEUs compared to East African ports, these ports are in general less efficient than East African ports. The port of Tema in Ghana has been found to be the most efficient port in the two regions while Dar es Salaam port has been found to be the least efficient port over a period covering seven years. The results found will be valuable for the choice of port development strategies in the selected ports.