★ The Unified Voice of Africa's Maritime and Shipping Industry

AfMASA 2027

4th Edition
"From Policy to Prosperity"
Regulation · Digitalisation · Investments
WASA 2019WASA 2023AfMASA 2025AfMASA 2027

About AfMASA

The Private Sector Imperative for Africa's Maritime Future

AfMASA is the continent's preeminent, private sector-led business promotion and advocacy platform. We serve as a stable, industry-driven counter-balance to fragmented, government-led efforts, ensuring that maritime development remains consistent regardless of political cycles.

Our Strategic Vision: To be the definitive, unified voice and strategic engine for the African maritime and shipping industry, recognized globally as the trusted partner for trade and investment into the continent's Blue Economy.

Driving the African Blue Economy: We view all Blue Economy advancement through the lens of efficient, safe, and profitable commercial shipping. By promoting global standards and digital transparency, we work to effectively de-risk Africa's shipping corridors and lower the cost of intra-Africa trade.

Continental Alignment: AfMASA is strategically aligned with AU Agenda 2063, supporting the Blue Economy Strategy for safe and commercially viable maritime operations, and AfCFTA, acting as a key business enabler by eliminating transport-related bottlenecks that impede the seamless movement of goods.

Learn More
4
Editions (2019–2027)
200+
Delegates per Event
22
African Countries Engaged
LISW
Official Highlight Event

Bridging the Governance Gap in Africa's Maritime Sector

Who We Are — What We Stand For

Who We Are

The African maritime sector faces complex challenges that require continuity, coordination, and private sector agility. AfMASA fills the gap left by sporadic policy focus and national regulatory "turf wars" by providing industry expertise and a persistent focus on core issues such as standards, financing, and anti-corruption.

As a continent-wide, private sector-driven platform, AfMASA advances practical solutions that strengthen maritime governance, enhance trade competitiveness, and unlock sustainable investment across Africa's shipping ecosystem.

Our Mission

To advocate for regulatory harmonization, drive digital transparency, and facilitate investment that enhances the economic viability and global competitiveness of African shipping.

Our Focus Areas

Driving maritime excellence across Africa

Maritime Cooperation

Building partnerships that strengthen shipping networks and foster inter-regional trade

📈

Industry Growth

Developing the maritime sector through training, best practices, and innovation initiatives

Regulatory Excellence

Engaging with government and regulatory bodies to create favorable maritime policy environments

🚚

Trade Facilitation

Promoting intra-African shipping connectivity and reducing trade barriers across the continent

Governance & Structure

A continent-wide, private sector-driven platform

The Secretariat

Based across key African trade hubs including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco, the Secretariat serves as the administrative backbone of AfMASA, driving stakeholder engagement, membership coordination, and implementation of strategic initiatives.

Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board reflects balanced representation from North, South, East, West, and Central Africa, ensuring that AfMASA's decisions carry continent-wide credibility and buy-in.

Technical Working Groups

Focused expertise driving measurable outcomes

💰

Maritime Finance & Investment

De-risking public-private partnerships (PPPs) for ports, fleet acquisition, and maritime infrastructure development.

Regulatory Harmonization

Standardizing documentation, aligning customs procedures, and supporting AfCFTA implementation to reduce trade friction.

💻

Digitalization & Human Capital

Anti-corruption initiatives, digital port systems, standardized maritime training curricula, and enhanced seafarer welfare.

AfMASA 2027

The 4th edition moves from agenda-setting to execution under the theme "From Policy to Prosperity"

Theme for 2027

"From Policy to Prosperity: Regulation, Digitalisation & Investments"
September 2027 • IMO Headquarters, London • Part of LISW 2027
Digitalisation → Prosperity

Ports Without Borders

Digital Integration and Port Connectivity

Driving interoperable single windows, port community systems, and cross-border data exchange across African ports.

Framework for interoperable single windows across African ports by 2030
Policy → Regulation → Prosperity

From Ratification to Reality

Implementing Africa's Maritime Regulatory Framework

Tracking domestication of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter and AfCFTA protocols across AU Member States.

Accountability report on Charter domestication progress
Investments → Prosperity

Banking the Blue Economy

Financing Maritime Infrastructure & Trade

Mobilising capital through blue bonds, blended finance, PPPs, and a proposed Africa Blue Finance Facility.

Pipeline of bankable maritime projects presented to investors
Policy + Regulation + Investments → Prosperity

Seafarers of the Future

Building Africa's Maritime Workforce

Positioning Africa's youth as the solution to the global seafarer shortage of 113,735 officers by 2030.

Continental seafarer database and mobility framework

Partner With AfMASA

Join industry leaders shaping the future of African maritime governance and trade.

Past Events

From WASA 2019 to AfMASA 2025 — over 8 years of convening Africa's maritime community

2019

WASA — West Africa Shipping Assembly

The inaugural edition, establishing the platform for West African maritime dialogue and cooperation.

2023

WASA — West Africa Shipping Assembly

Building on the foundation, expanding stakeholder engagement across the West African maritime sector.

2025

AfMASA — Inaugural Edition

Expanded to pan-African scope. Held at IMO Headquarters, London. Over 200 delegates, 22 countries represented.

2027

AfMASA — 4th Edition

"From Policy to Prosperity: Regulation, Digitalisation & Investments" — the action platform for Africa's maritime future.

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Contact Us

Get in touch with the AfMASA team

AfMASA Secretariat

Email: info@afmasa.org

Phone: +2347043293271

Web: afmasa.org

Address: Admiralty Hallows, 15b Captain Olajide George Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos