he Abu Dhabi ports and logistics group, which runs terminals in Angola, the Republic of Congo and Egypt, has a new chief executive as it moves into private ownership.
AD Ports Group has appointed Dr Afif Saif Al Yafei as its Group Chief Executive Officer, the Abu Dhabi-based ports, logistics and maritime group announced on 2 November 2026.
Dr Al Yafei succeeds Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, who had led AD Ports Group since 2014 and oversaw its growth from a local port operator into an international trade and logistics business.
Dr Al Yafei joins from Taqa Transmission, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and led a national infrastructure business. He brings more than two decades of executive experience across infrastructure, utilities and industrial sectors, including earlier senior roles at Tabreed and ADNOC Gas.
"His expertise in growth, investment, governance and organisational development will support AD Ports Group," said Shadi Malak, Group Chairman of AD Ports Group.
The leadership change comes as AD Ports Group moves from public listing to private ownership. L'imad, through ADQ, has made a voluntary tender offer of Dh6.25 per share for the shares it does not already own. ADQ already holds 75.42% of the company.
AD Ports Group has a presence in nearly 50 markets, and Africa has become an important part of its expansion.
In Angola, the group began operating the Luanda Multipurpose Terminal in early 2025 under a 20-year concession, with planned investment of about $250 million. The terminal handles more than 76% of Angola's container and general cargo.
In the Republic of Congo, AD Ports signed a 30-year concession in 2023 to develop and operate the New East Mole multipurpose terminal at the Port of Pointe-Noire. In Egypt, it holds a 30-year concession to develop and operate a multipurpose terminal at the Port of Safaga on the Red Sea.
Its logistics arm, Noatum Logistics, has also been building its team on the continent, including the appointment of Kurven Saravanan Monien as Cluster Director for East Africa.
For African port authorities, shippers and logistics partners working with the group, Dr Al Yafei's priorities on investment and growth will be closely watched as AD Ports continues to expand its terminal and logistics footprint across the continent.
