The first Suez Crisis and the port of Dakar, 1956-1957

This paper deals with the analysis of the first Suez Crisis on the port of Dakar and its consequences on port modernisation in West Africa in the context of global shipping reform. Archival sources from Senegal and France reveal the impact of the crisis in Dakar in the broad context of inter-port competition with Las Palmas. Likewise, this study highlights the major technological, institutional and logistical challenges that occurred in the Senegalese port. The article marks the first time that this event has been individually analysed with respect to West African seaport.