Africa’s Biggest Maritime Confab Draws Huge Commitments -As Maritime Administrators Hail Liberia, Pledge Support

MONROVIA – The 8^th Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA) Conference commenced Monday, September 30, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex where over 200 delegates from more than 40 African states, plus observers from Europe, Asia and the Middle East are meeting to explore and maximize opportunities in using Africa’s Blue Economy for sustainable growth.

The well-attended gathering of African maritime leaders and observers kicked off right on schedule with a smattering of cultural performances as the Liberian National Cultural Troupe captivated the audience with their splendid performance of traditional song and dance routine which had the EJS conference hall lit up.

Presidential Boakai’s Message

Representing the Liberian presidency, the newly appointed Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel Stevquoah, in welcoming the AAMA Conference attendees enjoined everyone to make use of the opportunities that the conference provides, but noted that opportunities are just opportunities; but if one is to make the best use of them, opportunities must be accompanied by vision; opportunities must be championed by leadership; and opportunities can only be effective if there is collective action.

“This is why under the President’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, Liberia is placing governance, the rule of law, and accountability at the very center of our sectors, including maritime. Transparency and efficiency in maritime governance will only strengthen Liberia’s economy but will also serve as a model for the region. Liberia’s maritime is already one of the most successful in the world, but we can do more; and we are determined to do more.

“We are determined to protect our oceans, we are determined to promote clean energy, and we are uncompromising when it comes to cementing our position as a driver of effective maritime program and sustainability in Africa,” Minister-designate Stevquoah said.

Also proffering official welcoming remarks, Liberia Maritime Commissioner General and Chief Executive Officer Cllr. Neto Zarzar Kighe, Sr. observed how Africa’s blue economy holds immense potential for marine transport, trade, sustainable development, food security, job creation, renewable energy, marine transport, tourism, and climate resilience.

According to the LMA boss, to maximize the potentials of the blue economy, Africans must first address some of the challenges confronting the sector such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, limited investment and limited capacity, for which he said the African Union has set the roadmap for exploiting the potential of Africa’s blue economy sector through the Africa Blue Economy Strategy that aims to harness the continent’s aquatic resources for sustainable development, addressing challenges while promoting socio-economic growth for Africa and its people.

“Because the blue economy is a relatively new concept that is still evolving, many African countries are still determining the appropriate institutional structure for exploring its opportunities. While some countries have chosen to create separate ministries and departments for the blue economy, others, including Liberia, have chosen to incorporate it under existing ministries and agencies. These differences in approach highlight, in part, the need for a continental collaboration and coordination if Africa is to adequately harness its blue economy potential,” CEO Lighe said, as he officially welcomed the attendees to utilize the conference as well the warm hospitality of the Liberian people.

In a show of solidarity, Montserrado County Superintendent Whroway Bryant also rose to the occasion to welcome the guests to Montserrado County as convenor of the 8^th AAMA Conference, stating the honor of convening a conference of such magnitude with so many respected Maritime leaders from across Africa.

“Working as one, we can find new ways to protect our blue economy and let it strive for future generations. With increase in global interconnections, protecting our oceans is a critical priority. The blue economy presents major opportunities, making it essential for our continent to unite and take decisive actions to safeguard maritime resources in line with the United Nations Goals #14. As major and stakeholders and actors in the Maritime sector of Africa gather to brainstorm and explore new ideas under the theme “Safeguarding our Ocean, Promoting Decarbonization in Shipping, Exploring Africa’s Blue Economy Potential,” we are and remain committed of the group of this great sector and its reserves,” Superintendent Bryant said.

Legislative Commitment of Support

As a sign of support to outcomes of the AAMA conference, the National Legislature, through its Senate Chairman of the Committee on Maritime, Jonathan Boye Charles Soygbe, welcomed the delegates and guests to Liberia, noting that the National Legislature is in attendance to listen and act on possible legislations that might come out of the conference.

“On behalf of the Liberian Senate and on behalf of the Senate Pro Tempore, I want to welcome you to Liberia. Pleased to be part of this 8^th Association of African Maritime Administrations Conference. Glad the conference is being in Liberia because we have our concerns at the Liberian Seante. We are concerned about safety of ships. We are also concerned about seafarers, who have complained about being trained and never hired. We look forward to working with you should you come up with any legislation that’s needed to establish enforcement for the smooth operation of your operation.

As for Representative Austin Taylor, Chairman, Committee on Maritime, AAMA continues to play a pivotal role in the shipping and African maritime sector, fostering cooperation among member states and strengthening Africa’s voice within the global maritime community.

“Through the collective efforts of AAMA, we have witnessed an improved implementation of international maritime regulations and protocols and have now seen new and emergence shipping companies and ship owners increasingly finding value in registering their vessels under African flags or flags of convenience, a sign of growing trust and competitiveness in our various administrations. But to fully realize its potentials, African states must harness and utilize our available expertise by supporting the establishment of African Classification Societies and an African Protection and Indemnity Clause. These institutions will provide more tailored and regionally responsive services to the fleets that proudly fly the African flags,” Representative Taylor said.

EU Pledges Support

Representing the European Union, Madam Noria Bennett, European Union’s Representative to Liberia, speaking on behalf of Ambassador Nona Deprez, head of the European Union Commission to Liberia, noted that importance that the EU attaches to the AAMA Conference.

“This conference is valuable to Liberia as it is to the European Union. Through its local gateway, European Union supports foreign countries such as Liberia and closes local investment gaps in areas such as digital, health, transport, education, as well as climate and energy.

“The latter, climate and energy is a key area where our interests must fuse together. It is well known that the EU target for 2030 is the 55% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the 1999 levels. This is the legally binding target established by the European Climate Law as part of the European Green Deal.

“Aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU is working fervently to meet this target through the ‘Fit for 55’ Legislative Package which revises and creates new legislation including the EU Emission Trading System, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. It is with this in mind that the EU wishes to recognize Liberia’s important role as the Chair of IMO’s Maritime Environment Protection Committee, in addition to its critical role as ultimate Permanent Representative of Liberia to the IMO.

“Under Liberia’s leadership, the IMO 2023 Greenhouse Gas Strategy was successfully adopted. You, Liberia, showed leadership in adopting this strategy,” she said.

Elaborating further, Madam Benett said Liberia has an interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, after all, it has the largest open registry fleet which includes over 5,000 ships ferrying over 286 million gross tons around the world.

The body of fleets of Liberian registry, she said, plays an essential role in global trade, moving over 80% of world merchandise by volume, accounting for 3% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, or about 1000 million tons of Co2 annually.

“This carries a heavy burden on all of us, not least Liberia. It is important to join hands and minds, seeking ways to reduce the shipping industry’s reliance on carbon-intensive bunker fuels,” she said.

US Govt. Commits Support

Speaking on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, Andrew Pigler, Political & Economic Section, US Embassy in Liberia, said the convening of the AAMA Conference is a reminder of the great challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s maritime sector.

Liberia, he said has seven coastal counties where the fishery sector is contributing around 10% of the country’s GDP, supporting more than 37,000 full time workers and providing around 65% of the animal proteins consumed in the coastal communities.

“If developed and fully implemented, Liberia’s international blue economy strategy could contribute 20-30% GDP by 2030, creating jobs and strengthening food security,” Mr. Pigler said, noting that the US remains committed to supporting all these efforts to unlock the full potential of the blue economy.

Saudi Arabia Pledges Support

Representing the government and people of the Kingdon of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Essam M Alammari, who serves as the current Deputy for Maritime Transport, Transport General Authority, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Africa, with its vast coastlines and dynamic economies is unique in positions to shaping a standard blue economy. Unlocking this potential requires more than resources. It requires partnerships which are fair, enduring and transformative.

“In this light, the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia is proud to announce as our contribution $200K to the West and Central Africa Maritime Trust Fund. This is a statement of confidence in Africa,” he said, while promising additional training opportunities for the future captains of the marine industry, as well as digital training opportunities.

Representing the continent’s economic powerhouse, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), thanked the government and people of Liberia for their generous hospitality, noting that the AAMA gathering embodies Africa’s shared vision which signifies that the continent’s maritime destiny can only be secured through unity of purpose, meaning, one ocean, one Africa, and one future.

He said the AAMA Conference comes at a decisive moment for the continent as the maritime industry is undergoing profound change.

“Africa is a maritime continent of immense strategic importance, with 44 African states as members of IMO, which is 25% of the total members of IMO. Our continent holds formidable strength, yet Africa occupies only four seats in the IMO Council – a very low representation that does not represent either our numeral strength or our relevance to global trade and shipping.

“The challenge lies not in our numbers but in our expectations too often. This underutilization of our collective voting power deprives us of the influence we desire,” he said.

As for IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, the AAMA conference perfectly aligns with the IMO’s 2025 focus and Africa’s long-term. Addressing the delegates, participants and guests via video call, Mr. Dominguez wished the participants a successful conference, and assured Liberia of the IMO’s fullest support in implementation of the conference outcome.

The AAMA Conference is expected to climax on October 3, 2025.