Weak regulation, environmental crisis pose threat to Africa’s maritime growth - KMA

Africa’s aspirations to harness the economic potential of its seas are increasingly under pressure as piracy, environmental degradation, and inadequate fleet capacity continue to pose serious challenges.

Justus Nyarandi, Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and chair of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), has called on African nations to collaborate more closely to protect and grow their maritime sector.

Speaking at the 8th AAMA Conference in Monrovia, Liberia, Nyarandi highlighted that piracy and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remain major threats across African waters.

“Piracy may have evolved in form, but it persists. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to plunder our resources. We are yet to run African internal fleets and our seafarers still lack ships for sea time training,” he said.

He warned that the continent’s limited ownership of commercial vessels forces African nations to spend billions on freight costs to foreign shipping companies each year.

This shortage of locally owned ships also restricts opportunities for young seafarers to gain essential experience, leaving many qualified Africans unemployed despite a growing global demand for skilled maritime professionals.

Marine pollution and the effects of climate change, Nyarandi added, have further strained coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

“The impacts of climate change are eroding our coastlines and altering our maritime domain,” he said, stressing that Africa must take proactive steps to counter these threats.

To address these issues, Nyarandi proposed a series of measures focused on improving maritime governance and security through enhanced monitoring, coordinated patrols, and shared information.

He also urged greater investment in training and technology, including the development of digital ports and advanced vessel traffic management systems.

Nyarandi also highlighted priorities, including harmonising legal and regulatory frameworks to support intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and embracing sustainability goals aligned with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

During Kenya’s tenure as AAMA chair, Nyarandi said, these priorities have guided efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, despite limited financial resources.

While acknowledging progress, such as the establishment of the AAMA Secretariat, he emphasised the need to convert discussions into practical outcomes.

“This conference is not just a meeting; it is a call to action. Let us leave Monrovia with a renewed sense of unity and a clear roadmap that will guide AAMA towards a safer, more secure and more prosperous maritime future,” he said.

Nyarandi urged African countries to leverage collective strength to expand their presence in global maritime trade and governance.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Climate Change
• Kenya Maritime Authority
• AfCFTA
• International Maritime Organisation
• Association of African Maritime Administrations
• AAMA
• Weak regulation
• environmental crisis pose threat to Africa’s maritime growth - KMA

The AAMA conference continues to provide a continental platform for discussions on maritime safety, decarbonisation, and blue economy growth.

Liberia, one of the world’s leading ship registries, is hosting the 2025 event as part of its commitment to advancing Africa’s role in the global shipping industry.