Liberia’s inclusion follows the country’s active engagement in the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).
by Blue Africa News
Liberia’s National Port Authority (NPA) is the latest African port entity to join the Securing Corridors, Ports and Exchanges in Western and Central Africa (SCOPE Africa) project, reinforcing NPA’s commitment to international best practices, enhanced port security standards and deeper strategic cooperation with global partners.
NPA was admitted to the European Union funded project in December 2025, joining 9 other countries seeking to strengthen safety, security, and operational efficiency in the region, with Liberia’s inclusion coming against the backdrop of the country’s active engagement in the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).
James Benard, NPA Deputy Managing Director for administration described Liberia’s admission into the project as a strategic breakthrough.
“The admission validates the sweeping reforms underway across the Freeport of Monrovia and our outstation ports,” he said. “SCOPE Africa will unlock new technical assistance and security enhancements that will enable Liberia to meet international standards and support the demands of modern global trade.”
On January 06, 2026, NPA hosted a high-level European Union delegation at its headquarters, the visit coinciding with Liberia’s official admission into the SCOPE Africa project.
The project, fully funded by the EU, is headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and runs from February 2025 to January, 2029.
According to the EU, 10 ports have been identified for the deployment of the activities implemented under the project. They are Praia (Cape Verde), Dakar (Senegal), Monrovia (Liberia), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Lomé (Togo), Lagos (Nigeria), Douala and Kribi (Cameroon), Libreville (Gabon), and Pointe-Noire (Republic of the Congo).
SCOPE Africa responds to rising maritime threats across the West and Central regions of Africa, responding to continental risks, ranging from criminal networks, terrorism, industrial risks, and climate pressures by delivering targeted improvements.
Through SCOPE Africa, the EU is determined to ensure compliance with global port safety and security standards, improve crisis and risk management systems, train and develop workforce – especially women and youth, enhance cooperation between port authorities and national governments and support regional platforms such as PMAWCA.
Specifically for Liberia, the program will provide expanded access to specialized training, upgraded governance frameworks, and comprehensive assessments to enhance national port security, with more impetus being laid on enhancing inter-African connectivity by improving the safety and security of strategic ports in West and Central Africa.
In West and Central Africa, reports indicate, port infrastructure plays a fundamental role in transporting people and goods to landlocked countries. Nearly 90% of trade to other parts of the continent is by sea.
By joining the EU-backed initiative, NPA says, Liberia strengthens its capacity to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhancing competitiveness, logistical readiness, and resilience to emerging threats.
“Liberia’s selection into SCOPE Africa underscores growing international confidence in the NPA’s reform agenda,” NPA said.
“Over the next three years, Liberia will engage in technical missions, security audits, training programs, and peer-to-peer collaboration with leading ports across the region. These activities are expected to accelerate Liberia’s progress toward becoming a resilient and competitive maritime hub.”
In November 2025, Liberia retained its seat in category “A,” of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, the only African country to hold the position. The West African nation was first elected in 2023.
It holds the world’s largest ship registry with over 5,000 vessels sailing international waters, offering the nation a unique opportunity to play a leading role in global maritime policy and governance.
Factors such as being a founding member of the IMO in1949, playing a pivotal role in revolutionising the shipping industry and paying its dues to IMO on time worked to the advantage of Liberia, during its election to the category “A” seat in 2023, and the reelection in 2025.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News