KEY POINTS
- Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, will formally open the PMAWCA Board of Directors meeting in Lagos.
- Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is hosting maritime leaders from across West and Central Africa for a three-day strategic summit.
- Discussions will focus on resilient port systems, regional cooperation, and inclusive economic development.
Main story
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, is expected to officially declare open the Board of Directors meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), as Nigeria, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), hosts top maritime stakeholders in Lagos.
The three-day high-level meeting, scheduled to hold from May 18 to 20, 2026, will bring together port authorities, chief executives, and maritime policymakers from across West and Central Africa. The gathering is aimed at strengthening regional collaboration and redefining the future of port operations in the sub-region.
With the theme “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development,” the meeting will focus on improving port infrastructure, enhancing logistics resilience, deepening regional integration, and ensuring that port development translates into measurable socio-economic benefits for host communities.
According to the Managing Director of the NPA and President of PMAWCA, Abubakar Dantsoho, the conference provides a critical platform for stakeholders to reflect on the evolving role of ports in global trade and economic development.
He noted that ports remain central to international commerce and regional prosperity, stressing their importance in driving sustainable growth across member states.
Dantsoho further assured participants of a conducive environment for robust engagements that would produce actionable policy directions aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation in the region.
The meeting will also feature discussions on port security, infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and strategies for building future-ready ports amid global economic and logistical disruptions.
Nigeria’s role as host reinforces its growing influence in the regional maritime space, following its successful hosting of the 43rd PMAWCA Annual Council and Managing Directors’ Roundtable in 2023.
The issues
Despite ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, ports across West and Central Africa continue to face challenges including inadequate infrastructure, congestion, security concerns, and uneven technological adoption. The meeting is expected to address these gaps while promoting harmonised regional standards and improved operational efficiency.
What’s being said
Dantsoho described the summit as a strategic opportunity for maritime leaders to shape the future of ports, noting that their role in global trade and sustainable development cannot be overstated. He emphasised that ports serve as gateways of prosperity, linking nations to global markets and driving economic integration.
What’s next
Deliberations at the meeting will include reviews of PMAWCA midterm committee reports and the development of new collaborative frameworks among member ports. Outcomes are expected to influence future policy direction on maritime trade, infrastructure development, and regional integration strategies.
Bottom line
The Lagos-hosted PMAWCA Board meeting positions Nigeria at the centre of regional maritime discourse, with stakeholders expected to chart practical solutions for building resilient, efficient, and development-driven ports across West and Central Africa.
