African nations must prioritize regional collaboration to maximize the continent’s potential in the blue economy, according to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
He reiterated this message while speaking at the 45th annual council meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.
“The waters that connect our countries remind us of our duty to work together for the good of all,” Dantsoho said, urging participants to view themselves as custodians of Africa’s economic future.
Dantsoho, who is PMAWCA President, emphasized that resilient port infrastructure, improved security, and transparency are essential for competitiveness and integration across the continent.
Represented by Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, the NPA chief highlighted the association’s focus on climate and energy, data collaboration, and risk resilience as key pillars for transforming Africa’s port operations.
He noted that African port leaders had pledged to drive growth through a three-pronged strategy focused on policy implementation, renewed cooperation, and trade facilitation at the World Port Conference in Japan.
Dantsoho commended the government and people of the Republic of Congo for hosting the meeting and praised the association’s secretariat for sustaining a platform that fosters cross-regional dialogue and innovation in maritime governance.
“We must see ourselves as custodians of Africa’s economic future,” he said.
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