Business and Economy
Dantsoho Urges African Nations to Convert Marine Strengths into Economic Gains
By our Correspondent
The President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has called on African nations to harness their marine comparative advantages to drive economic growth and shared prosperity.
Speaking at the PMAWCA Board of Directors and Ports Statisticians Network Meetings held in Luanda, Angola, Dr.
He noted that countries across West and Central Africa are not only bound by geography but also by common challenges and opportunities.
> “The need to transform our marine comparative advantages into real economic opportunities for our respective countries has never been more urgent,” Dantsoho said. “The global recognition of ports in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) clearly demonstrates that Africa’s sustainability is rooted in the strength of its ports.”
Referencing his recent engagement with the PMAWCA Women Network at NPA headquarters in Lagos, Dantsoho reiterated the importance of intensified regional collaboration among ports, stressing that shared development can only be achieved through unity and coordinated action.
He also underlined the critical role of data in shaping efficient port operations.
> “This meeting with the Statisticians Network is a strategic step towards enhanced regional cooperation. Accurate and timely data is essential for effective decision-making in port management,” he stated.
Commending the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dantsoho said the new ministry has provided a platform for accelerated progress in the sector.
> “The establishment of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry has revitalized our commitment to sector-specific talent development and fostered idea generation from strategic bodies like PMAWCA,” he noted.
He added that the collaboration with the Statisticians Network will allow for expanded training opportunities across ports in the region, especially as member countries push forward with modernization initiatives such as the Port Community System (PCS) and National Single Window (NSW). These, he said, must be supported by stronger economic ties among PMAWCA member states.
Highlighting the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dr. Dantsoho said the removal of trade barriers and increased cooperation presents a fertile ground for economic transformation.
> “AfCFTA is rich with potential for wealth creation. With PMAWCA as our collaborative platform, we can harness these benefits for the advancement of our individual economies and the sub-region at large,” he said.
He concluded by stating that the PMAWCA Board of Directors meeting will focus on reviewing 2024 activities, making critical assessments, and charting a strategic course for the association’s future.