Nigeria is set to host the 43rd Annual Council and 18th Managing Directors’ Roundtable of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) from November 6 to 9, 2023.
The event will be held at the Lagos Continental Hotel Victoria Island Lagos and is expected to be declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The theme of the council is “The Role of Ports in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
The annual council provides a platform for the cross-fertilisation of ideas, experiences and knowledge sharing to guide necessary policy action towards maximizing the maritime comparative advantage of the sub-region.
Speaking on Nigeria’s preparedness and expectations from the conference, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said, “this gathering of maritime experts is very timely as it is coming when Nigeria is eager to provide the leadership necessary to convert our marine and blue economy potentials to actualities in a bid to provide opportunities for our growing youth population.”
He added that, “to demonstrate the premium we place on maximizing the emerging opportunities of AfCFTA which is the focal point of the conference, we have given the Nigerian Ports Authority all the support necessary for a flawless hosting.”
Responding during a media chat preparatory to the occasion at the NPA Headquarters in Marina, Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, mentioned that, “our confidence in hosting this conference is in demonstration of our readiness to provide regional leadership in ports competitiveness and is inspired by the uncommon trade facilitation orientation of Mr. President who is already endorsing some of our initiatives for the maximization of our littoral assets under the auspices of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.”
The conference is expected to bring together key stakeholders in the maritime industry from across West and Central Africa to discuss the role of ports in the development of the AfCFTA. The event will also provide an opportunity for participants to share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences.
The hosting of the PMAWCA conference is a testament to the Nigerian government’s commitment to developing the maritime sector. The sector is a key driver of the Nigerian economy and plays a vital role in facilitating trade and commerce. The government is investing heavily in the development of the maritime sector, including upgrading port infrastructure and expanding capacity.
The PMAWCA conference is a significant event for the maritime industry in West and Central Africa. The event will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and to develop strategies for promoting growth and development. The conference is expected to have a positive impact on the maritime industry in the region and to contribute to the economic development of West and Central Africa.
