The Government of Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the ocean, promoting decarbonization in shipping, and exploring Africa’s blue economy potential. Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at the start of the 8th Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) Conference 2025 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoah, extended warm greetings to delegates and participants from across Africa and beyond. The Acting Minister of State noted that Liberia was honored to host the 8th AAMA Assembly,. Emphasizing that the occasion was not only a privilege but also a responsibility, given Liberia’s long-standing shipping tradition and its role in maritime affairs. This year’s Theme, “Safeguarding Our Ocean, Promoting Decarbonization and Shipping, and Exploring Africa’s Blue Economy Potential,”, Minister Stevquoah outlined a range of challenges currently facing Africa’s maritime domain, including piracy, illegal fishing, maritime crimes, cybersecurity threats, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change.
Despite these obstacles, he stressed that Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from its rich ocean resources, vast biodiversity, and over 26,000 nautical miles of coastline. The Acting Minister further highlighted President Boakai’s vision that opportunities must be guided by leadership, vision, and collective action in order to be effective. He explained that under the President’s agenda for inclusive development, Liberia is placing governance, rule of law, and accountability at the center of its efforts, including transparency and efficiency in maritime governance. Minister Stevquoah also called on AAMA delegates to ensure that the conference outcomes go beyond dialogue and lead to concrete actions. They include developing roadmaps for decarbonization, strategies to combat illegal fishing, and frameworks to empower young people through training and employment in the maritime sector. Such actions, he said, would secure the future of Africa’s blue economy while preparing the next generation of maritime leaders. He expressed deep appreciation to the country’s Liberia’s international partners, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), development partners, and investors, for their continued support in strengthening Liberia maritime capacity.
Liberia, he emphasized, values these partnerships as it works to expand and improve its maritime programs and contribute to sustainable ocean governance across Africa. Also speaking at the opening of the high-level gathering, the Commissioner General of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., said Africa’s maritime sector faces persistent challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory gaps. He stressed that these issues not only undermine economic growth but also transcend national boundaries, making joint continental action critical. “While these challenges are not insurmountable, they are shared challenges and no single country can solitarily address them. We must pool our resources, expertise and knowledge, and AAMA provides the institutional framework for doing so,” Commissioner Lighe stated. The LMA boss revealed that Liberia is already implementing a five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming its maritime sector into a catalyst for sustainable development.
The plan prioritizes seafaring, bunkering, ship recycling, ecotourism, and strengthening security across seaports and territorial waters. According to him, these initiatives are intended not only to generate new revenue streams but also to support private-public partnerships that can accelerate Liberia’s economic growth. Commissioner Lighe described Africa’s Blue Economy as a “game-changer,” capable of unlocking opportunities in marine transport, trade, food security, renewable energy, climate resilience, and tourism. However, he warned that unchecked illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, limited investment, and inadequate capacity continue to stifle progress. He urged African nations to align more closely with the African Union’s Blue Economy Strategy, which provides a roadmap for harnessing aquatic resources for sustainable development. “Because the Blue Economy is still a relatively new concept, different countries are experimenting with different approaches. Some have created separate ministries, while others, like Liberia, have integrated it into existing agencies. These differences highlight the urgent need for continental coordination,” Lighe explained. The LMA Commissioner emphasized that stronger collaboration is needed between AAMA, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and the African Union.
He particularly stressed closer cooperation on the maritime transport component of the Blue Economy, which he described as “crucial and urgent.” This year marks the first time Liberia has hosted the AAMA annual conference, despite the nation’s longstanding role in global shipping and maritime governance. Commissioner Lighe said the event was a source of national pride and an opportunity for Liberia to showcase its commitment to advancing continental maritime interests. He extended appreciation to international delegates, government officials, and private-sector participants attending the gathering. “It is a privilege to host this meeting and to have you visiting us. We hope you will enjoy the hospitality of the people and culture of Liberia,” he told participants. The Liberia Conference comes at a time when Africa’s maritime sector is increasingly recognized as a key driver of economic transformation. Experts say leveraging the Blue Economy could unlock billions in trade, create millions of jobs, and help the continent build resilience against climate change if threats to sustainability are decisively addressed.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
