Business and Economy
PMAWCA President Calls for Collective Action on Climate, Trade, and Digitalisation
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation among African ports to unlock the continent’s maritime potential and foster economic growth through the blue economy.
Speaking at the 45th Annual Council Meeting of PMAWCA in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, Dantsoho underscored that the region’s shared destiny, natural resources, and maritime advantages should be harnessed as drivers of sustainable development.
Represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Dantsoho stated that the association is focusing on climate and energy transition, data collaboration, and risk resilience as strategic pillars for transforming port operations across Africa.
He recalled that during the World Port Conference in Kobe, Japan, African port leaders committed to advancing growth through policy implementation, renewed cooperation, and trade facilitation—a pledge the NPA remains resolute in fulfilling.
“The waters that connect our nations remind us of our shared responsibility to work together for collective prosperity,” Dantsoho said, urging stakeholders to see themselves as custodians of Africa’s maritime and economic future. He added that resilient port infrastructure, improved security, and transparency are essential for strengthening competitiveness and integration across the continent.
The PMAWCA President commended the government and people of the Republic of Congo for hosting the council meeting and praised the association’s secretariat for maintaining a vital platform that promotes cross-regional dialogue and innovation in maritime governance.
Quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dantsoho noted, “Competition has shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation—which is the thing we must strive for today—begins where competition leaves off.” He called for unity and collective resolve in advancing Africa’s maritime future.