The Port Management Association of West and Central Africa has announced the implementation of a five-year West African Sustainable Ocean Programme, valued at €59m, in a bid to promote climate resilience.
PMAWCA added that the initiative, which is funded by the European Union, will be implemented in 13 West African countries in partnership with Expertise-France.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, who is also the President of PMAWCA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, announced this on Monday in Lagos while speaking during the Mid-Year Session of the Board of Directors of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa.
Dantsoho stressed that the initiative represents one of the most significant projects undertaken by the organisation in recent years.
According to him, PMAWCA is determined to keep in tune with the global trend as an organisation, adding that, to achieve this goal, ports within the region can no longer be viewed solely as gateways for cargo movement.
He maintained that ports within the region must now form part of a broader and more integrated vision of maritime value creation, encompassing sustainable fisheries, renewable marine energy, coastal tourism, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology.
“This is the promise of the Blue Economy, and PMAWCA is committed to playing a leading role in advancing this vision across our sub-region. This commitment also informed our focus on the green economy through the WASOP, a five-year, €59m 2024-2029 initiative funded by the European Union. It is being implemented in 13 West African countries to promote a climate-resilient blue economy, in partnership with Expertise-France.
This initiative represents one of the most significant projects undertaken by our organisation in recent years. It reflects our collective response to the realities of climate change and the urgent need for ecological transition within the global maritime industry,” Dantsoho said.
Dantsoho, who is also the Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours, reiterated that through WASOP, the association is working together to reduce the carbon footprint of ports within the region, adopt cleaner energy solutions, and integrate international environmental standards into operational systems.
“These are not mere aspirations but responsibilities we owe to our countries, communities, and future generations,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the partnership with Expertise-France, Dantsoho stated that the collaboration demonstrates the power of mutual respect, complementary expertise, and shared commitment in advancing sustainable development goals.
“I encourage every member of the administration to fully embrace this momentum because the green transition of our ports is no longer optional; it is an imperative,” he stated.
Dantsoho mentioned that PMAWCA is entering an important phase that demands innovation and collaboration in policy development and the sharing of best practices to ensure smoother, more harmonious port operations.
“This will improve our capacity, influence, and visibility in Africa and globally. It is gratifying to observe that after a prolonged hibernation, ports in the West and Central African sub-region are now gaining international attention,” he said.
He pointed out that, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the NPA is driving major reforms that are improving cargo handling efficiency, reducing congestion, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The operational growth achieved in the last two years, the rising trade volumes, and growing confidence among international shipping lines in Nigerian ports are a testament to the success of these efforts,” he added.
