ECOWAS Hosts a High-Level Strategic Workshop on the Green Transition of the Maritime Sector and the Implementation of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter
The headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States is set to become, on 24–25 March 2026, the epicenter of African discussions on decarbonization and the future of maritime transport on the continent. The Abuja-based institution will host a continental validation workshop dedicated to the Handbook/Manual Guidelines on Green Ports in Africa, the development of an African common position on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, and the implementation of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter.
Jointly organized by the African Union Commission and ECOWAS, with the support of international technical partners such as Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the workshop will bring together key institutional, technical, and operational stakeholders from across Africa’s maritime sector. The overarching objective is clear: to accelerate maritime decarbonization while structuring the sustainable development of maritime transport across the continent.
Towards the Validation of Green Ports Guidelines and a Common African Position on Maritime Decarbonization
In response to the climate emergency and in line with the commitments of the Paris Agreement and the standards of the International Maritime Organization, several African ports have already initiated their transition. Concrete measures are emerging, including shore power supply, renewable energy installations such as solar terminals, and emissions monitoring systems.
However, progress remains uneven. According to recent assessments, nearly 75% of African port authorities have yet to update their regulatory frameworks on alternative fuels. Even more concerning, fewer than 20% of ports are prepared for hydrogen or ammonia bunkering, while less than 15% of personnel have received formal training on low- or zero-carbon fuels. These gaps highlight the disparity between policy alignment and actual technical and operational readiness across the continent.
Against this backdrop, and following recommendations from African Ministers of Transport, the AUC has launched an ambitious programme to address greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate maritime decarbonization. As part of this initiative, a continental handbook on green ports has been developed, reflecting the Commission’s commitment to promoting a sustainable maritime green transition, climate-resilient port operations, and low-carbon development.
Another key pillar of the workshop is the validation of an African common position on maritime decarbonization and GHG emissions reduction. This initiative seeks to harmonize African perspectives in global negotiations, particularly within the IMO, at a time when environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent.
The objective is threefold: to safeguard Africa’s interests, ensure a just and inclusive energy transition, and mobilize the financing and technology transfers required for this transformation. For African economies—where over 90% of external trade is seaborne—the challenge is also to maintain competitiveness in the face of tightening global environmental standards.
Participants at the Abuja workshop will therefore be tasked with validating the handbook that aims to transform African ports into environmentally sustainable hubs, while ensuring that the green transition becomes a driver of economic transformation rather than an additional constraint. This decisive step is expected to pave the way for coordinated, large-scale implementation across the continent, enabling Africa to strike a balance between climate imperatives and development priorities, while enhancing sovereignty, competitiveness, and sustainability.
Implementation of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter at the Forefront
Beyond environmental considerations, the workshop also reflects a major institutional milestone: the recent entry into force of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter (RAMTC). Adopted in Kampala in 2010 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Charter became legally effective on 14 August 2025 following the deposit of the fifteenth instrument of ratification by Uganda.
This milestone represents the culmination of a long-standing continental effort to strengthen Africa’s maritime governance architecture and elevate the role of maritime transport within the continent’s integration and development agenda.
Now entering its implementation phase, the Charter calls for concrete action. It is no longer merely a normative framework, but a strategic instrument to be translated into public policies, institutional reforms, and structured investments. In this regard, the Abuja workshop will provide a platform for Member States, regional organizations, and technical partners to discuss practical steps for its effective implementation.
Ahead of the meeting, a virtual stakeholder dialogue held on 2 February 2026 by the AUC in collaboration with GIZ helped assess the current state of play and identify actionable pathways for implementation. This preparatory work will inform in-depth discussions and is expected to lead to consolidated contributions outlining a clear way forward.
Key challenges to be addressed include aligning national regulatory frameworks, strengthening institutional capacities, mobilizing financing, and enhancing coordination among Member States. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the Charter becomes a catalyst for transforming Africa’s maritime sector and advancing regional integration and sustainable growth.
A Strong Signal Amid Growing Global Pressure
Holding this workshop in Abuja sends a strong signal: Africa intends to assert itself in global maritime governance while accelerating its own green transition.
In a sector characterized by heavy investment requirements and rapidly evolving standards, continental coordination is no longer optional—it is strategic. This workshop could mark a turning point toward the sustainable “maritimization” of Africa’s economy.
By Carlos Kpodiefin
