- Nigeria’s Marine Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, called Africa to harness renewable energy and lead in green shipping at the Africa Strategic Summit on Shipping Decarbonisation.
- NIMASA’s Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the urgency for Africa to adopt sustainable maritime practices and participate in global decarbonisation efforts.
- The summit highlighted Africa’s strategic advantages in green shipping and called for investments in renewable energy, clean ports, and equitable decarbonisation policies.
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, urged African maritime stakeholders to harness the continent’s renewable energy to lead in green shipping.
Speaking at the inaugural Africa Strategic Summit on Shipping Decarbonisation in Abuja, Oyetola emphasised Africa’s need to assert its interests as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) pushes forward with its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Strategy.
“With over 90 per cent of global trade depending on maritime transport, reducing GHG emissions is critical for the environment and economic survival. Africa must amplify its voice in shaping policies that affect its economies and livelihoods,” Oyetola said.
He urged African countries to pursue shipping decarbonisation equitably, ensuring no nation falls behind. Oyetola highlighted Africa’s strategic geographic advantage, renewable energy potential, and expanding port infrastructure as key factors that could position the continent to lead in green shipping. He called on stakeholders to channel investments towards sustainable practices and economic growth.
Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), underscored the urgency of decarbonisation. “The shipping industry contributes roughly 3 per cent of global GHG emissions, driving climate change. Africa must act quickly to stay in the decarbonisation race,” Mobereola stated.
The two-day summit focused on how Africa can cooperate under the IMO’s GHG strategy—discussions aimed at ensuring a just transition for Africa while building its technical capacity for climate action. “The decisions we make now will shape the future of Africa’s maritime industry and its role in global climate efforts,” Mobereola said.
Dr Harry Conway, Chairman of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), discussed the progress made in the IMO’s GHG reduction strategy. Mr John Oming’o, President of the Association of African Maritime Administrations, explained Africa’s critical role in shaping shipping decarbonisation.
Oming’o pointed to several benefits of decarbonisation, including curbing global warming, creating jobs in renewable energy and shipbuilding, improving port air quality, and modernising logistics systems. He also urged Africa to turn its ports into hubs for clean energy production.
Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment; and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, all delivered goodwill messages. They applauded the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA for driving leadership in Africa’s maritime sector. They also reaffirmed their support for decarbonisation efforts within Nigeria’s marine environment, with the Navy committing to help achieve the decarbonisation targets.
The summit aims to position Africa as a leader in green shipping while ensuring the continent actively participates in the global transition towards sustainable maritime practices.