Equatorial Guinea reaffirms maritime leadership, pledges deeper support for MOWCA’s blue economy drive
Maureen Aguta
The Government of Equatorial Guinea has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), pledging sustained support for the organisation’s agenda to advance a sustainable blue economy across the continent.
This assurance was given on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Malabo by the country’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Postal Services, Mr. Evito Oma, during a courtesy visit by the Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr. Paul Adalikwu.
Minister Oma reaffirmed Equatorial Guinea’s alignment with MOWCA’s objectives and programmes, commending Dr. Adalikwu for what he described as his visionary and results-driven leadership of the regional maritime body.
He expressed his ministry’s readiness to deepen technical cooperation with MOWCA, noting that closer collaboration would yield tangible benefits for Equatorial Guinea and the wider West and Central African sub-region.
The minister also underscored the importance of maritime trade facilitation as a catalyst for regional integration and economic growth, while pledging continued collaboration with MOWCA to strengthen maritime safety, security and sustainable transport systems across the sub-region.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Adalikwu described Equatorial Guinea as a strategic maritime nation, endowed with natural and geographic advantages that position it as a key player in Africa’s maritime and blue economy landscape.
He praised the country’s strong performance in the oil and gas sector, as well as its commercial shipping activities through key ports, despite what he termed manageable security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
According to the MOWCA Secretary General, Equatorial Guinea remains one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s significant offshore hydrocarbon producers, with its growing participation in maritime trade making a notable contribution to the continent’s blue economy development.
He also commended the country for its increasing and constructive engagement in MOWCA’s programmes and decision-making processes.
While briefing the minister on MOWCA’s ongoing initiatives and future plans, Dr. Adalikwu highlighted opportunities for Equatorial Guinea to benefit from regional maritime human capital development programmes supported by international partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the governments of Singapore and Malaysia, among others.
He further disclosed that Equatorial Guinea is well-positioned to be a frontline beneficiary of the proposed Regional Maritime Development Bank, which is expected to support vessel financing as well as the expansion, upgrade and development of maritime infrastructure across member states.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing a firm resolve to strengthen cooperation and partnership in pursuit of a safer, more competitive and sustainable maritime sector for West and Central Africa.