Africa’s Trade: MOWCA seeks regional maritime bank, more investment to unlock blue economy

 

 

Maureen Aguta

The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has called for increased investment in maritime infrastructure, stronger regional cooperation and the establishment of integrated transport networks to unlock Africa’s blue economy potential and accelerate intra-African trade.

The organisation’s Secretary-General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, said the continent could not achieve meaningful economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) without efficient seaports, modern shipping infrastructure, streamlined customs procedures and effective connections between production centres and regional markets.

Adalikwu made the call while delivering a presentation titled, “Advancing Africa’s Integration and Trade Facilitation: The Strategic Role of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa,” at the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference in Calabar, Cross River State.

The conference, held at the Calabar International Convention Centre from November 12 to 14, was organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the Cross River State Government and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

It brought together government leaders, policymakers, development partners and investors to examine the role of sub-national governments in driving economic development through trade and investment.

Adalikwu described maritime transport as a critical pillar of international commerce, arguing that Africa’s ability to translate the promise of AfCFTA into tangible economic benefits would depend largely on its capacity to develop competitive maritime infrastructure and regional logistics networks.

He stressed that ports should no longer be regarded merely as gateways for cargo movement but as strategic economic assets capable of driving industrialisation, creating employment, strengthening food security and promoting sustainable development.

The MOWCA chief reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to deepening maritime cooperation among its 25 member states, comprising 20 coastal and five landlocked countries across West and Central Africa.

He said the organisation was pursuing interventions in maritime administration, safety and security, environmental protection, human capital development, decarbonisation and the harmonisation of maritime policies.

According to him, the interconnected nature of maritime operations makes it imperative for national governments, sub-national authorities, port administrations, development finance institutions and private-sector operators to adopt coordinated approaches to infrastructure development.

He particularly urged state governments and other sub-national authorities to take advantage of their strategic positions in land administration, agriculture, industrial development, tourism and investment promotion to attract maritime-related investments.

While coastal states and port cities could develop logistics hubs, export-processing zones, fisheries infrastructure, ship-repair facilities and maritime training centres, he said inland regions should invest in dry ports, inland container depots and efficient road and rail networks to improve access to seaports.

On human capital development, Adalikwu disclosed that MOWCA had secured a $1.5 million grant under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Government to strengthen maritime capacity-building programmes across the sub-region.

He said more than 90 maritime experts from West and Central Africa had benefited from International Maritime Organisation (IMO)-modelled training programmes in Jakarta, with over 45 experts participating in the ongoing 2026 programme.

He, however, identified the shortage of vessels for cadet sea-time training as a major challenge to developing competent maritime professionals in the region.

To address the gap, he disclosed that MOWCA was engaging private-sector conglomerates interested in deploying vessels for regional cabotage operations, an initiative expected to create additional opportunities for practical training and professional development.

On maritime financing, the Secretary-General highlighted the organisation’s plan to establish a Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), proposed to be headquartered in Nigeria.

The proposed institution, he explained, would help bridge funding gaps in maritime infrastructure and industry development by providing a dedicated financing platform for regional maritime investments.

He called on governments and private investors to develop bankable projects and embrace transparent public-private partnership arrangements to attract the capital required to modernise the sector.

Adalikwu also disclosed that MOWCA was collaborating with the African Development Bank (AfDB) on a $500,000 grant for a regional assessment of ship-repair, maintenance, recycling and drydock infrastructure in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon.

The assessment is expected to identify existing facilities, infrastructure deficiencies and investment opportunities in the three countries.
He said the initiative would help reduce the region’s dependence on overseas ship-repair facilities, retain maritime expenditure within Africa, generate employment and strengthen regional maritime value chains.

The MOWCA chief identified shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, shipbuilding and repair, marine services and offshore renewable energy as sectors with enormous potential to diversify African economies and create jobs.

However, he warned that unlocking these opportunities would require African countries to move away from fragmented national infrastructure projects towards integrated regional economic corridors supported by sustainable financing, effective institutions and multimodal transport connections.

He urged sub-national governments, development partners and private investors to work closely with MOWCA to identify viable maritime investment opportunities, strengthen regional value chains and connect local economies to the wider African market.

Adalikwu reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to deepen collaboration with member states and development partners towards building a safer, more efficient and sustainable maritime industry capable of supporting Africa’s economic integration and long-term prosperity.