Monrovia, Liberia; Tuesday, September 30, 2025 – The 8th Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) conference has officially opened in Monrovia, Liberia. The conference has brought together delegates from more than 40 African countries, along with international partners.
Taking place at the EJS Ministerial Complex, the event is being held under the theme “Safeguarding Our Ocean, Promoting Decarbonization in Shipping and Exploring Africa’s Blue Economy Potential.”
Delivering the welcome remarks, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), urged African nations to work collectively on challenges that “transcend national boundaries,” including piracy, infrastructure deficits, and environmental threats. “AAMA provides the framework for Africa to collaborate and emerge as a maritime powerhouse,” he said.
Liberia’s Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoah, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, described the conference theme as “urgent.” He highlighted both the vast opportunities and serious threats in Africa’s maritime space. The continent’s blue economy is projected to generate more than $400 billion annually and create 12 million jobs by 2030, but faces risks from illegal fishing, maritime crime, cybersecurity threats, and climate change.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, in a televised message from the Headquarters from the International Maritime Organization in London, reminded delegates that progress made since last year’s AAMA meeting in Tanzania must be matched with global harmonization, particularly in areas such as trade facilitation, financing, capacity-building, safety, security, and gender diversity, and decarbonization.
For his part, the Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority and Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations stressed the importance of harmonizing legal and regulatory frameworks to boost intra-African trade and ensure African ports remain competitive. He urged member states to speak with one voice in shaping maritime policies across the continent.
The program was also attended by Hon. Jonathan Sogbie, Senate Committee Chairman on Maritime; Hon. Austin Blidi Taylor, House Committee Chairman on Maritime; Hon. Whroway Bryant, Montserrado County Superintendent; Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General/CEO of the Nigeria Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Andrew Pilger of the Political and Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia; a representative of the European Union; and H.E. Eng. Essam M. Alammari, Deputy of Maritime Transport, Transport General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who announced that the Government of Saudi Arabia has approved a contribution of $200,000 to the West and Central Africa Maritime Security Trust Fund.
For Liberia, which operates one of the world’s largest ship registries, hosting the conference is an opportunity to cement its maritime diplomacy and reaffirm its role as a global shipping hub. Delegates are expected to develop frameworks to strengthen maritime safety, trade, and investment across the continent.