The maritime sector can unlock $1.5 trillion in new economic value by 2030.It can become Africa’s largest source of industrial jobs.

By : Ladi Olubowale

Executive African Shipowners Association/

President ASA-Nigeria

One where modern ports, efficient shipping corridors, and bold maritime policies and elections in IMO seats are becoming the backbone of economic transformation. Across the continent, we are witnessing an awakening.

From National polices, strategic direction and DFI's in Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria to Lamu in Kenya, from Tema in Ghana to Durban in South Africa—Africa is building the arteries that will move our economies, integrate our regions, and connect us more competitively to global value chains

The real story is bigger than ports. 

However, the real story is bigger than ports. It is the story of confidence, capacity, and continental ambition. Maritime infrastructure is no longer just about berths, cranes, and channels. It is about economic sovereignty. It is about giving Africa the ability to move African goods with African ships through African ports efficiently, competitively, and sustainably.

Logistics inefficiencies

It is about reducing the annual $80 billion lost to logistics inefficiencies, and replacing it with jobs, earnings, and opportunities for millions of young Africans. It is about creating corridors where cashew from Ogun, cocoa from Abidjan, lithium from Zimbabwe, and containerized manufacturing from Rwanda can move seamlessly to global markets with predictable timelines and competitive freight costs.

Related : Elections map of IMO Assembly to A new Council and set strategic directions

Global supply chains are recalibrating

The world is shifting. Global supply chains are recalibrating. Near-shoring, friend-shoring, and diversified sourcing are rewriting the rules of trade. Africa has a rare window of opportunity to rise not as a raw materials supplier, but as a logistics powerhouse and a maritime-driven production hub, and pattern of action on decarbonisation road map that defined future of shipping is been develop local as sustainable green initiatives that defined Africa's JET in decarbonisation!

 Forge robust coordinated PPP 

But this future will not build itself. It will take stakeholders engagements to forge robust coordinated PPP and investments in Africa's maritime space : Deep seaports and inland dry ports, Shipbuilding, repair yards, and maritime training academies, Digital trade platforms and customs modernization, Green shipping corridors and sustainable bunkering infrastructure,Stronger coastal security and governance frameworks.

It will take collaboration, not competition, between our nations because maritime strength is never isolated. The success of Tema supports Lagos; the efficiency of Durban supports Luanda; the future of Djibouti supports Mombasa.

Africa’s maritime rise must be a shared continental project. And yet, beyond infrastructure, what we need most is a mindset shift: To see the ocean not as a border, but as a bridge. Not as a risk, but as a resource.

The maritime sector can unlock $1.5 trillion in new economic value by 2030.It can become Africa’s largest source of industrial jobs.

Unified African presence within the IMO.

Congratulations to Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco on your successful election into the IMO Council Category C.  This remarkable achievement is not just a victory for each nation—it is a powerful affirmation of Africa’s collective maritime voice, influence, and commitment to shaping the future of global shipping.

Nigeria’s re-election reflects our continued leadership and the strength of the reforms, partnerships, and policy direction championed by our maritime institutions. Liberia’s world-class ship registry, South Africa’s regional leadership, Egypt’s strategic importance through the Suez Canal, and Morocco’s growing port competitiveness together create a stronger, more unified African presence within the IMO.

Related : IMO Council 2026 -27 category A without Russia

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