Dubai’s port operator DP World is eyeing opportunities to develop ports in Nigeria, as it aims to expand further into sub-Saharan Africa.

“We would love to find an opportunity in Nigeria,” Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World told the Africa Global Business Forum, held in Dubai on 1 October.

Nigeria has plans to develop a new port, but as yet a final location has not been selected.

DP World has been expanding in sub-Saharan Africa for several years, but has recently run into trouble regarding its concession at the port of Djibouti.

The East African country announced it was withdrawing the Dubai operator’s contract at is Doraleh container terminal, accusing DP World of corruption. The case is in international arbitration with the Djibouti government hoping to secure losses incurred from actions taken by the port operator.

Bin Sulayem told delegates that the operator rejects the accusations and the dispute is a result of a “misunderstanding”.

DP World’s other existing sub-Saharan port operations include the container port at Dakar Port in Senegal.