Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, has called for innovative financing mechanisms as a transformative tool to drive sustainable development in Africa’s maritime industry.
Speaking at the 7th Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mobereola underscored Nigeria’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration and technological advancements to strengthen the sector.
“Nigeria is committed to collaborating on technology and innovation to enhance safety, security, decarbonisation, and the marine environment for a sustainable future,” Mobereola declared during his keynote address.
Highlighting the importance of the conference as a platform to address shared challenges, he pointed to sustainable energy, regional security, and economic growth as key focus areas.
Mobereola urged African nations and international partners to rally around innovative financing models to address the sector’s infrastructure and digital transformation needs.
“As Nigeria pursues infrastructure development and digital transformation within our maritime sector, we call on our regional and international partners to support these efforts through technical and financial backing,” Mobereola said.
He also stressed the need for collaborative approaches to maritime security, particularly in combating piracy and other crimes in West African waters.
“By reinforcing our adherence to frameworks like the Djibouti and Yaoundé Codes of Conduct, we aim to solidify Nigeria’s role in combating piracy and maritime crime across West Africa,” Mobereola said.
The AAMA conference, a significant gathering of African maritime leaders, aims to promote regular consultation and the development of joint positions on issues critical to the industry. Nigeria has been a longstanding advocate for regional cooperation, having hosted the 3rd AAMA conference in 2017, where a master plan to advance the African Maritime Transport Charter was crafted.
Mobereola highlighted the importance of sustaining this momentum adding, “The AAMA remains a key driver in harmonising policies and goals essential for the growth of the African maritime sector. This collective effort is critical as we navigate challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving global maritime landscape.”
