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 urged African port authorities to deepen regional collaboration as part of efforts to unlock the continent’s maritime potential and accelerate growth through the blue economy.
Speaking at the 45th Annual Council Meeting of PMAWCA in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, Dantsoho stressed that Africa’s shared destiny, vast coastline, and maritime resources should serve as a rallying point for sustainable economic transformation.
Represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the NPA boss noted that the association is focusing on climate and energy transition, digital integration, and risk resilience as critical pillars for modernizing port operations across the region.
He recalled that at the recent World Port Conference in Kobe, Japan, African port leaders reaffirmed their commitment to driving growth through policy implementation, enhanced cooperation, and trade facilitation — a pledge the NPA remains committed to advancing.
“The waters that connect our nations remind us of our duty to work together for the collective good,” Dantsoho said, urging member countries to see themselves as custodians of Africa’s economic future. He further emphasized that resilient port infrastructure, security, and transparency are essential to the continent’s competitiveness and regional integration.
Dantsoho also commended the government and people of the Republic of Congo for hosting the council meeting, while appreciating the PMAWCA Secretariat for maintaining a robust platform that encourages dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in port management.
Quoting former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dantsoho said: “Competition has proved useful up to a point, but cooperation — which we must now strive for — begins where competition ends.” He called on African ports to embrace this spirit of cooperation in advancing the region’s maritime future.
