The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has called on African port authorities to strengthen collaboration and harness the continent’s maritime potential to drive inclusive growth through the blue economy.
Speaking at the 45th Annual Council Meeting of PMAWCA in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, Dantsoho said Africa’s shared maritime heritage and natural resources should unite the region toward sustainable development and economic integration.
Represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, he said PMAWCA is prioritising climate action, digital collaboration, and risk resilience as key pillars for transforming port operations across the continent.
He recalled that at the World Port Conference in Kobe, Japan, African port leaders adopted a three-pronged strategy centred on policy implementation, renewed cooperation, and trade facilitation a commitment the NPA remains determined to uphold.
“The waters that connect our countries remind us of our duty to work together for the good of all,” Dantsoho said. “We must see ourselves as custodians of Africa’s economic future, ensuring our ports are secure, transparent, and resilient.”
He stressed that sustainable port infrastructure, innovation, and regional coordination are essential to improving Africa’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The PMAWCA President also commended the government and people of the Republic of Congo for hosting the annual meeting, and praised the association’s secretariat for sustaining a platform that promotes cross-regional dialogue, innovation, and maritime cooperation.
Quoting former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dantsoho remarked:“Competition has shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation which is the thing we must strive for today begins where competition leaves off.”
He urged member ports to embrace unity and collective responsibility, emphasising that strategic partnerships and sustainable investment are vital to unlocking Africa’s blue economy potential.
