This SSATP working paper examines the urgent need for digitalization of Africa’s port infrastructure in light of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) mandatory Maritime Single Window (MSW) requirement, effective January 1, 2024. Despite this global mandate, many African countries remain in early stages of compliance, hindered by institutional, legal, and operational challenges. Drawing on interviews with maritime stakeholders and lessons from early adopters such as Ghana and Egypt, the paper outlines a pragmatic roadmap for MSW implementation. It provides a taxonomy of port digital systems, a stepwise strategy toward port call optimization, and a detailed implementation checklist tailored to the African context. Through coordinated policy action, stakeholder engagement, and targeted capacity building, African countries can leverage MSWs to enhance trade facilitation, improve port performance, and drive regional integration. This paper contributes practical guidance to policymakers, port authorities, and development partners supporting Africa’s digital transformation in the maritime sector.