The Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) has emphasized that the future of Africa’s economic growth is deeply tied to the sustainability and strategic development of its ports. This call was made by Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the President of PMAWCA and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), during the association’s Board of Directors and Port Statisticians Network meetings held recently in Luanda, Angola.
Dantsoho highlighted that while countries in the West and Central African region share geographical connectivity through waterways, they are also unified by common developmental challenges and untapped maritime opportunities. He stressed that leveraging Africa’s marine comparative advantages is critical to unlocking regional prosperity and achieving global competitiveness.
“The demonstrated global leadership of ports in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shows that the sustainability of the world, especially Africa, rests heavily on the sustainability of our ports,” Dantsoho declared.
Dr. Dantsoho urged stronger collaboration among regional ports, stating that in an era where economic blocs and cooperation drive global influence, failing to intensify port collaboration would be a disservice to Africa’s aspirations. According to him, the region must not only embrace cooperation but also modernize and integrate its port operations to remain globally relevant.
The NPA boss further emphasized the importance of data analytics in port administration, noting that evidence-based decision-making is vital to enhancing efficiency and driving growth. He commended the synergy between port authorities and statisticians at the meeting, describing it as a smart regional model that should be replicated and supported across board.
“Data remains the major driver of effective decision-making in port management,” Dantsoho said, adding that such regional collaboration can serve as a catalyst for economic and operational transformation.
Dantsoho praised President Bola Tinubu for the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a timely move that has empowered stakeholders with the institutional backing to execute transformative plans. He noted that the ministry has re-energized national resolve to invest in sector-specific talent development, drawing insights from expert platforms such as PMAWCA.
“The implementation of bold reforms such as the Port Community System and the National Single Window is gaining momentum, and it must be complemented by stronger economic cohesion among PMAWCA member states,” he stated.
Highlighting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dantsoho pointed to its objectives—such as eliminating trade barriers, liberalizing services, and fostering regional cooperation—as key tools that can generate wealth and prosperity if African ports act as strategic enablers.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to achieving full modernization of its ports and pushing for integration across borders, promising that the Tinubu-led administration will continue to champion initiatives that align with Africa’s economic integration agenda.
The PMAWCA, which comprises over 20 member ports from West and Central Africa, plays a central role in promoting port efficiency, policy harmonization, and trade facilitation in the sub-region. As African nations deepen cooperation under frameworks like the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063, ports are increasingly becoming critical enablers of cross-border commerce, industrialization, and digital transformation.
With the rise of climate-conscious infrastructure and smart port systems globally, stakeholders believe Africa must act swiftly to reposition its ports as green, automated, and globally competitive.