Marine transport both via inland waterways and over short-time maritime distance has the potential to improve continental integration in Africa and to transform the economies of African countries, especially in landlocked states but it would require adequate support and an enabling government framework.
The need to mainstream marine transportation across the African continent not only for improving connectivity and facilitating trade under the AfCFTA but also for pushing the green agenda, enhancing food security and creating employment for the youth.
Stakeholders from across the continent representing the various regional economic communities (RECs), national governments, development partners and civil society organizations as well as the business community convened to discuss practical ways of boosting inland waterways transport and short sea shipping routes.
Panelists unanimously called for greater investments in marine transport with the strong political will that ensures the effective mobilization of the right resources to boost that agenda.
The one-day forum was on the theme: “Accelerating integrated and sustainable multimodal transport and logistics chains in Africa: the role of inland waterway transport and short-sea shipping”.
It was concluded that Public governance, private governance and information governance when properly improved will provide a better chance of success for the future of marine transport in Africa.
