As Africa’s top maritime organisation celebrated its 50th anniversary with the re-election of its Secretary General, attendees were reminded of the opportunity to choose key projects for job creation and revenue generation.
By Blue Africa News
Nigerian Dr. Paul Adalikwu’s stint as Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) is set to continue, after being re-elected for another 4-year term.
Adalikwu was first elected to lead the 25-member country organisation in 2021, before being re-elected during the just concluded MOWCA’s 19th General Assembly and 50th anniversary celebrations (16-20 February, 2026) held in Banjul, The Gambia.
He was unanimously handed a second-term in office after landing endorsements from leadership of the 20 out of 25 delegations of member countries that participated in the General Assembly. In his acceptance speech, Adalikwu assured all member countries that he would embark on championing cost effective and environmentally sustainable shipping, while promoting an African blue economy drive to achieve greater economic developments.
MOWCA, he said, would continually provide technical support to all countries with potentials for seaport activities and for the establishment of dry ports in different parts of the continent.
Gambia’s Minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure of Ebrima Sillah was elected the new chairperson, taking over from Ingrid Olga Ebouka-Babakas.
During the celebrations, the director of Blue Africa Conference and Exhibition (BACE) Mudzithe Phiri strongly challenged African maritime administrators to lead the continent’s blue economy future by “ending the talk about projects and start closing deals.”
Speaking at the event, Phiri said leaders must now focus on finding the right partners with the right capital who understand opportunities within Africa’s blue economy for revenue generation.
“Select 2-3 strategic projects that will create jobs, generate revenue, and define your legacy,” said Phiri.
Time, she said, is ripe for the youth to be roped into the blue economy plans and opportunities, noting that employed young people not only build families, but they build nations through paying taxes.
“Employed youth build families and pay taxes. Blue economy jobs keep young people productive and hopeful,” she said, hailing the blue economy as an economic multiplier. “One blue economy job creates 3-4 additional jobs in the supply chain. Skilled workers generate activity for decades.”
Phiri stated that the MOWCA-supported Blue Africa Conference and Exhibition (BACE) planned for August 2026 in Nigeria provides an opportunity for African maritime administrators to showcase their country’s priorities and leadership in the blue economy, through global platforms.
The conference has already landed an endorsement from the Federal Government of Nigeria, with planning and preparations in top gear. Phiri congratulated MOWCA on its 50th anniversary celebrations, indicating that the next 50 years will be key for those who grab the blue economy opportunity.
“As MOWCA celebrates 50 years of African maritime leadership, the next 50 years will be defined by the one who captures the blue economy opportunity,” she said.
In September 2025, BACE signed a landmark five-year strategic partnership with MOWCA, founded on unlocking Africa’s maritime gateway, driving youth employment and entrepreneurship, building Africa’s blue economy future and leadership excellence in maritime development.
Speaking during the opening of the celebrations themed “Fostering effective civil services, high safety standards, and low pollution,” Adalikwu said the theme aligned with the organisation’s push for safe operations within the maritime spaces in Africa and the globe at large.
“This is a chance to strengthen governance, ensure maritime safety, protect our environment, and foster regional cooperation,” said the Secretary General.
Delegates during a group photo at MOWCA’s 19th general assembly and 50th anniversary celebrations in Bangul, Gambia. Photo courtesy: MOWCA
The event included deliberations on MOWCA’s proposal to establish a regional maritime development bank to provide sustainable financing mechanisms for maritime infrastructure, port modernization, shipping development, and blue economy projects.
Additionally, delegates advanced deliberations on the launch of a MOWCA regional maritime fund to mobilise resources for priority regional initiatives, besides having MOWCA transformed into an African Maritime Organisation (AMO).
The proposals got the backing of representatives of the member states, including Gambia and Liberia.
“While we are mindful of the complex and demanding path toward realising these ambitious initiatives, Liberia is absolutely confident that, through unity and determination, they are achievable,” said Margaret Ansumana, deputy commissioner for Maritime Affairs at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA).
“In this regard, we acknowledge the tremendous work MOWCA continues to do in driving strategic reforms and building partnerships aimed at reshaping Africa’s maritime future,” she emphasised.
Samba Mballow, Gambia’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure supported MOWCA’s plans to establish a regional maritime development bank, saying once in place, the institution could unlock “unprecedented opportunities for maritime investment and blue‑economy growth across the region.”
MOWCA was established in 1975 representing 25 member countries. It serves as the leading voice for maritime development in the West and Central Africa region.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News