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Tag: MOWCA

  • Equatorial Guinea deepens MOWCA alliance

    Equatorial Guinea deepens MOWCA alliance

    …positions for regional maritime financing

    Equatorial Guinea is repositioning its maritime sector to attract regional financing and investment as it deepens cooperation with the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).

    The country’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Postal Services, Evito Oma, reaffirmed this direction on January 28, 2026, during a meeting with MOWCA’s Secretary-General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, in Malabo, where both sides underscored the need to strengthen maritime trade facilitation, safety, and sustainable transport across West and Central Africa.

    Oma reaffirmed Equatorial Guinea’s backing for MOWCA’s programmes, particularly those aimed at unlocking sustainable maritime trade, safety, and blue economy growth across West and Central Africa.

    Commending Adalikwu’s leadership, Oma said Equatorial Guinea was ready to deepen technical collaboration with MOWCA to strengthen maritime trade facilitation and transport efficiency in the sub-region.

    He added that the country would sustain its engagement with the organisation to advance maritime safety, security, and environmentally responsible shipping, areas increasingly critical to investor confidence and port competitiveness.

    Adalikwu, in his remarks, described Equatorial Guinea as a strategically placed maritime state with natural advantages that position it as a potential hub in Africa’s evolving blue economy. He praised the country’s performance in offshore oil and gas production and commercial shipping, noting that its ports continue to play an important role in regional maritime trade despite lingering but manageable security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.

    “Equatorial Guinea remains a significant offshore hydrocarbon producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, and its participation in maritime trade is a strong contribution to Africa’s blue economy activities and development,” Adalikwu said.

    He also commended the country’s growing involvement in MOWCA’s programmes and decision-making processes, describing it as a sign of deeper regional integration.

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    Beyond policy alignment, the meeting discussions focused on access to maritime financing and capacity development—an area where MOWCA is increasingly positioning itself as a gateway. Adalikwu told the minister that Equatorial Guinea stands to benefit from maritime human capital development programmes supported by international partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the governments of Singapore and Malaysia.

    More significantly, the MOWCA Secretary-General disclosed that Equatorial Guinea could become a frontline beneficiary of the proposed Regional Maritime Development Bank, an initiative designed to provide vessel financing and fund maritime infrastructure expansion, upgrades, and new developments across member states.

    For Equatorial Guinea, the prospect of regional financing aligns with its broader ambition to diversify maritime revenues beyond hydrocarbons, improve port infrastructure, and strengthen its shipping and logistics ecosystem. Analysts say this shift could help the country attract private capital into port services, coastal shipping, and offshore support operations, while reinforcing regional supply chains.

    The meeting ended with both parties committing to strengthening cooperation, with MOWCA expected to play a more active role in supporting Equatorial Guinea’s maritime investment pipeline. 

  • MOWCA, Singapore in talks for port modernisation, greener shipping pact

    MOWCA, Singapore in talks for port modernisation, greener shipping pact

    The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has commenced strategic talks with Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) to deepen cooperation on port modernisation, capacity building, and the transition to greener shipping among its member states.

    During a bilateral meeting in Singapore, MOWCA’s Secretary General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, met with the Chief Executive of the MPA, Ang Wee Keong, where he sought Singapore’s expertise in port infrastructure, digitalisation, and environmentally sustainable shipping practices.

    Adalikwu said MOWCA was keen to draw from Singapore’s globally acclaimed port model to replicate similar standards across West and Central African ports.

    “We are seeking closer working ties and the expertise of Singaporean authorities in areas such as human capital development, infrastructural upgrade and maintenance, and cargo handling,” he stated.

    He further emphasised the importance of digitalisation in achieving efficiency at ports, advocating for a maritime single window system and harmonised documentation processes to ease import and export procedures.

    According to him, “There is a need for harmonisation and single document submission for seamless end-to-end processing of import and export procedures in ports.”

    On environmental sustainability, Adalikwu reaffirmed MOWCA’s commitment to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by or around 2050, stressing that the organisation has set advisory timelines for member states to align with the goal.

    “MOWCA is planning to reduce emissions by at least 20 per cent before 2030, and a technical collaboration with the Singaporean Maritime and Ports Authority would be helpful in achieving compliance with the IMO target by MOWCA states,” he said.

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    Adalikwu noted that a modernised port system capable of delivering efficient services is critical to driving the blue economy agenda at both national and sub-regional levels.

    In his remarks, Keong commended MOWCA’s initiative and reaffirmed Singapore’s readiness to support the region’s maritime development ambitions.

    “We appreciate your visit and express our willingness to collaborate with MOWCA on all requested areas. We are optimistic about the rapid maritime development of partnering MOWCA countries,” Keong stated.

    Both sides agreed to reconvene in London later this year for the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will outline the modalities for technical cooperation between the two organisations.

    As part of the partnership gesture, Adalikwu also pledged the support of MOWCA’s 25 member states toward Singapore’s IMO Council seat in the forthcoming elections.

  • LASWA, MOWCA partner to strengthen waterways safety

    LASWA, MOWCA partner to strengthen waterways safety

    The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has partnered with the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and the global ferry association, Interferry, in a renewed drive to enhance safety across the state’s inland waterways.

    The partnership, formalised during a facility tour of key jetties and terminals in Lagos on Monday, is aimed at assessing existing safety levels and identifying areas for improvement through knowledge sharing, training, and international collaboration.

    General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, who hosted the delegation, said the collaboration was part of efforts by the state government to sustain and deepen safety reforms on water routes.

    Speaking on the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve safety on Lagos’ inland waterways, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, outlined a series of targeted interventions.

    “Safety begins with the basics,” he said. “We have made the use of life jackets mandatory, and our water guards are stationed at jetties to enforce compliance among all passengers and crew.”

    He explained that LASWA conducts biannual inspections of all registered boats to ensure they meet operational and safety standards. “This regular check not only keeps vessels in shape but also helps us identify and correct potential hazards before they escalate,” he said.

    To modernise oversight and respond swiftly to incidents, the agency has integrated technology into its operations. “We now monitor several of our jetties in real time and maintain direct communication with boat operators during their journeys,” Emmanuel stated. “This allows for quicker response in emergencies and better coordination overall.”

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    In addition to infrastructure and monitoring, the agency has intensified its public sensitisation and training programmes. “We consistently engage passengers on safety protocols and run workshops for boat captains and deckhands, many of which are organised in partnership with firms like Yamaha,” he noted.

    Interferry, which is engaging with West Africa for the first time, is a global safety organisation with members across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Corrigan, disclosed that 12 maritime safety experts had joined the Lagos tour to assist LASWA in identifying and addressing safety gaps.

    “We’re here to share what we’ve learned globally and offer LASWA our guidance and technical support,” Corrigan stated. “LASWA is now a member of Interferry, and Lagos is currently the only African city with which we have this level of engagement.”

    He added that the association views Africa as a critical frontier for expanding ferry safety standards and intends to increase its presence on the continent.

  • NiMet, MOWCA collaborate to bolster maritime weather services

    NiMet, MOWCA collaborate to bolster maritime weather services

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) have joined forces to bolster maritime safety and operations through enhanced weather observation, early warnings, and capacity building in marine meteorology. 

    This groundbreaking collaboration was formalised in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday, December 5, 2024. 

    The agreement aims to improve weather information dissemination and strengthen regional capacity to tackle maritime challenges among MOWCA member states.  

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof Charles Anosike, emphasised the critical role of international cooperation in addressing shared challenges in maritime safety.  

    “Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is the authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of Nigeria’s atmosphere and its interaction with all aspects of the economy. NiMet regulates and advises the Nigerian government on all aspects of meteorology towards sustainable economic development. As weather, climate, and water cycles cannot be controlled by a country, international cooperation is essential for the development of meteorology,” Prof Anosike stated.

    He underscored the importance of real-time weather information for maritime operations, noting that compliance with global standards, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention, mandates the broadcast of weather data to ships twice daily. 

    “We share common challenges of maritime safety, security, and pollution across the West and Central African region, which is heavily reliant on maritime transport. Quality data, analysis, warnings, and forecasts are critical for ensuring safety. Investments in ocean observation infrastructure and capacity development will enable us to provide comprehensive weather information that supports shipping lines and fishing grounds in all MOWCA member states,” he added.  

    Prof Anosike also highlighted the socioeconomic benefits of enhanced maritime meteorology, calling for funding support to build infrastructure and ensure the seamless exchange of ocean-based observational data across the region.  

    In response, MOWCA Secretary General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, commended NiMet’s contributions to the maritime sector and reaffirmed MOWCA’s commitment to leveraging its expertise.  

    “The role of meteorological agencies in maritime operations cannot be overemphasized as they are essential in delivering precise weather forecasts and timely warnings, which significantly enhance the safety of vessels by predicting storms, tides, and sea conditions,” Dr Adalikwu stated.  

    He further stressed the strategic importance of the partnership. 

    “Considering the volume of vessels that pass through Nigerian waterways, it’s very important that we partner with NiMet and so should other stakeholders in the maritime sector too. We have listened to NiMet’s presentation and are impressed by it. We will escalate the issues raised as well as the services that NiMet offers to our member states and encourage them to take advantage of the best practices that Nigeria has to offer,” he added.

    The partnership aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, improve compliance with international maritime safety regulations, and build capacity among member states in marine meteorology. This initiative is expected to foster safer and more efficient maritime activities in the region, bolstering economic growth and resilience against environmental challenges.

  • MOWCA pushes for regional maritime funding

    MOWCA pushes for regional maritime funding

    The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has embarked on a decisive push to actualise the long-awaited implementation of the Regional Maritime Fund (RMF).

    This decision follows a three-day workshop held in the Republic of Congo, where maritime stakeholders mandated MOWCA to launch a robust awareness campaign across its 25 member states in 2025.

    The initiative aims to ensure the RMF becomes operational by January 1, 2026. 

    The RMF, first approved by the MOWCA General Assembly in 1999, is designed to strengthen maritime sector financing across member nations. The fund introduces an 80-20 funding mechanism, whereby 80 per cent of the levy generated—calculated at $3 per metric tonne of cargo—goes to the country where the transaction occurs, while 20 per cent is retained by MOWCA.

    This self-financing model is aimed at enabling member states to implement national policies and support regional maritime projects. 

    Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu, has been tasked with spearheading the awareness campaign. Speaking on the initiative, he underscored the importance of sustainable maritime funding as a foundation for building a robust blue economy. 

     “Not funding the maritime sector but expecting gains from it is like having a perfect automobile without fueling it but wishing it takes you to your destination,” Dr Adalikwu said. 

    He acknowledged that the prolonged delay in implementing the RMF had caused setbacks in regional maritime development but expressed optimism that the renewed commitment of member states could overcome these challenges. 

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    Dr Adalikwu outlined the anticipated benefits of the RMF once fully implemented, including enhanced maritime infrastructure to improve connectivity and trade, capacity building through training and retraining of maritime professionals, sustainable use of marine resources for economic activities aligned with environmental best practices, and strengthened blue economies across member states in line with international standards. 

     “The maritime industry is the driving force of global commerce and should not be given a backstage position during national budgeting by countries endowed as coastal states,” Dr Adalikwu emphasised. 

    The MOWCA Secretary General lauded member states already contributing to the organisation’s financial sustainability and called on others to follow suit. He stressed the importance of prioritising multimodal transportation systems to improve goods and services movement across the region. 

    He also highlighted the need for a regional approach to cabotage, which would prioritise local businesses and citizens in maritime trade, adding: “As various member states push for their tailor-made cabotage regimes, I believe we can create a regional cabotage where businesses and citizens of MOWCA member countries enjoy priority opportunities ahead of foreigners as a way of creating a flourishing blue economy.”