Gautam Adani’s port arm eyes South Africa amid expansion push

Key Points

• Adani Ports eyes South Africa to expand its African presence amid collapsing logistics infrastructure and growing trade demand in Southern Africa’s underperforming ports.
• The move follows turbulence from a $265 million U.S. bribery probe that halted Kenyan deals and delayed projects in Bangladesh, forcing a shift in global focus.
• With assets in Israel, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, Adani aims to raise overseas revenue to 15% by 2030 through new port projects in Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., the ports and logistics arm of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s empire, is evaluating entry into South Africa as part of its renewed global expansion strategy aimed at scaling its presence across key African trade corridors.

The group’s move signals a strategic pivot toward Southern Africa, where failing port and rail infrastructure has created openings for global operators. Years of underinvestment and operational inefficiencies at state-run Transnet have choked freight flows, driven up logistics costs, and hurt export volumes.

Global rebound: Adani Ports doubles down after turbulence

Adani Ports’ interest in South Africa comes as the company leads the group’s international rebound following a year clouded by a U.S. Justice Department probe. The $265 million bribery investigation—naming Gautam Adani and top executives—led to the termination of $2.6 billion in Kenyan contracts and delays in Bangladesh energy deals. Adani has denied any wrongdoing.

Amid setbacks, the company is doubling down on international growth, aiming to lift its overseas revenue share to 15 percent by 2030. Adani Ports already holds assets in Israel, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Tanzania.

The group confirmed that its previously planned Kenya projects have been shelved, with attention now shifts to Southern Africa, where Adani aims to plug into regional supply chains and extend its maritime footprint; “We are evaluating port projects in South Africa to boost our presence in Africa,” said Karan Adani, managing director of Adani Ports, in an interview. He added that additional prospects are under review in East and West Africa.

South Africa beckons amid global ambitions

Founded by Gautam Adani, India’s second-richest man with a net worth of $101 billion, Adani Group has grown into one of India’s largest conglomerates with interests spanning energy, resources, transport, and logistics.

Adani Ports’ African pivot aligns with the group’s ambition to become a global infrastructure powerhouse. Its listed entities—Adani Enterprises, Adani Green Energy, and Adani Energy Solutions—have helped drive its valuation surge and fuel global expansion.

By targeting South Africa, Adani underscores his commitment to positioning India’s largest port operator at the center of global trade flows and Africa’s next wave of logistics modernization.