NPA BRINGS WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN PORT LEADERS TO LAGOS FOR HIGH-LEVEL MARITIME MEETING

NPA BRINGS WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN PORT LEADERS TO LAGOS FOR HIGH-LEVEL MARITIME MEETING
By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigerian Ports Authority is hosting senior port administrators and maritime leaders from across West and Central Africa in Lagos this week for a three-day Board of Directors meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA). The meeting, scheduled for May 18 to 20, 2026, will be formally declared open by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

Convened under the theme “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development,” the gathering will focus on strengthening port infrastructure, improving logistics resilience, deepening regional cooperation, and ensuring that port expansion delivers measurable benefits to host communities.

Managing Director of NPA and chief host, Abubakar Dantsoho, who is also the first Nigerian to serve as President of PMAWCA, described the meeting as a timely platform to shape the direction of port development in West and Central Africa. He said the gathering allows chief executives and stakeholders to reaffirm the central role of ports in facilitating trade and supporting economic growth.

“The meeting affords us all, as Chief Executives and stakeholders, the platform to reiterate the pivotal role that ports play in shaping the future of humanity,” he said.

Dantsoho emphasized that ports function as critical gateways linking nations to global markets while driving integration and sustainable development. He noted that the efficiency and resilience of ports, particularly in the West and Central African region, remain directly tied to the stability of the broader global economy.

Participants are expected to engage in technical sessions and policy discussions covering port security, infrastructure modernization, trade connectivity, and strategies for building ports that can adapt to evolving global trade dynamics. The meeting will also review the activities of PMAWCA’s midterm committees and explore ways to expand collaboration among member ports.

The hosting of the PMAWCA Board meeting further consolidates Nigeria’s position within the regional maritime space and signals continued commitment to driving collaborative solutions for port efficiency and trade facilitation. The NPA said it has put arrangements in place to ensure productive engagements that will yield actionable outcomes for the sub-region’s port sector.