Port Sudan

Port Sudan is the country’s principal Red Sea port and a critical logistics gateway, but rapid population growth has placed severe pressure on water and urban services in an already arid environment. Displacement has intensified demand, exposing the vulnerability of a city whose economic role depends on infrastructure that can support both residents and national trade.

A 2026 African Development Bank and UNICEF programme is responding to the water crisis through emergency and more durable supply measures, while UN-Habitat’s national urban work highlights the need for better planning and basic services in fast-growing cities. Port Sudan’s resilience therefore rests on two connected systems: port and transport infrastructure must remain operational, and the urban population needs dependable water and services. Economic gateway functions cannot be sustained if the surrounding city lacks basic infrastructure.