Maritime Leaders Push for Stronger Continental Cooperation

Othello Sarweh Nimely

MONROVIA-Liberia has opened the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), bringing together maritime leaders from across Africa and beyond for three days of high-level discussions on strengthening cooperation in the sector.

The first day of the conference which is held at the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, brought together heads of maritime administrations, representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), international and regional bodies, members of the Liberian Legislature, the diplomatic corps, and private sector stakeholders.

In his opening address, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), welcomed delegates on behalf of the government and people of Liberia. He described the event as a historic milestone for the country’s maritime journey.

“Despite our longstanding history in global shipping and maritime leadership, this is the first time Liberia is hosting the annual meeting of a major regional or continental maritime organization,” Lighe said. “We are proud to welcome you and confident that your expertise will enrich our discussions over the coming days.”

Lighe outlined the pressing challenges facing Africa’s maritime sector, including piracy, geopolitical tensions, infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation, and regulatory gaps.

He stressed that these challenges transcend national borders and require joint solutions, with AAMA providing the platform for collective action.

He also highlighted Liberia’s five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming its maritime industry into a key driver of economic growth through initiatives in ship recycling, bunkering, seafaring, eco-tourism, and expanded domestic services.

Framing Liberia’s efforts within Africa’s broader blue economy agenda, the Commissioner pointed to opportunities in trade, transport, renewable energy, food security, and job creation. However, he cautioned that illegal fishing, limited investment, and capacity gaps continue to undermine the sector.

He called for closer collaboration among AAMA, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and the African Union to maximize the benefits of the AU’s Blue Economy Strategy.

Also addressing the session, AAMA Chairman and Kenyan representative, CPA Omae Nyarandi, praised Liberia’s hospitality and acknowledged its historic role in global shipping. He said this year’s theme—“Safeguarding Our Ocean, Promoting Decarbonization in Shipping and Exploring Africa’s Blue Economy Potential”—reflects both urgent priorities and long-term aspirations for the continent.

Nyarandi noted that while progress has been made since AAMA’s founding, major challenges remain, including piracy, illegal fishing, the absence of African-owned fleets, limited training opportunities for seafarers, marine pollution, and climate change.

He emphasized Africa’s potential under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Maritime Transport Charter, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and outlined four key priorities, which include strengthening maritime security, investing in digital technology and human capital, harmonizing regulations to boost intra-African trade, and promoting sustainability through IMO’s decarbonization strategies.

He concluded by urging delegates to treat the gathering as a “call to action” rather than a routine meeting. “Let us leave Monrovia with a renewed sense of unity and a clear roadmap that will guide AAMA towards a safer, more secure, and more prosperous maritime future for Africa,” Nyarandi said.

The 8th AAMA Conference runs through October 2, 2025, with deliberations expected to focus on regional integration, investment opportunities, maritime safety, and strategies for harnessing Africa’s blue economy.