West African Nations Unite to Boost Maritime Transport and Blue Economy
Dakar, Senegal — High-level delegations from Senegal and Guinea-Bissau convened in the capital to reinforce their commitment to advancing maritime transport and the blue economy across West Africa. The pivotal discussions unfolded during an international forum dedicated to sustainable maritime development and logistics in the blue economy sector.
Government Leaders Emphasize Regional Cooperation
Florentino Mendes Pereira, Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, led a high-profile delegation to the event. The forum brought together policymakers, maritime authorities, industry experts, and development partners to address critical challenges in maritime governance, port logistics, and regional integration.
In his opening address, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, welcomed Guinea-Bissau as a “fraternal nation” and underscored the necessity of deeper collaboration to overcome maritime sector hurdles and harness the blue economy as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth across the region.
Key Priorities for Maritime Modernization
Guinea-Bissau’s participation reflects a broader strategy to modernize its port and maritime infrastructure, enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and deepen regional partnerships to spur economic development. Over two days of intensive discussions, participants explored critical focus areas:
- Cabotage services modernization to improve coastal trade efficiency
- Port infrastructure development to enhance cargo handling and connectivity
- Shipbuilding and maritime industry strengthening to reduce dependency on foreign vessels
- Green transition in maritime transport through sustainable fuel adoption and emissions reduction
- Digital transformation of maritime logistics and trade facilitation systems
The agenda also highlighted human capital development, scientific research, innovation, and funding mobilization—particularly through public-private partnerships—to accelerate sectoral progress.
Business Opportunities Take Center Stage
An accompanying international exhibition and business networking sessions provided a platform for public and private stakeholders to forge new alliances and explore investment opportunities in maritime logistics and related industries. The event served as a bridge between policy ambitions and practical economic outcomes.
The Guinean-Bissau delegation included Gualdino Afonso Té, President of the Maritime and Port Institute of Guinea-Bissau, and Félix Nandungue, Director-General of the Ports Administration of Guinea-Bissau, reflecting the country’s institutional commitment to the initiative.
Aligning With National and Regional Visions
Hosted by the Senegalese government, the forum aligns with the ambitious Senegal Vision 2050 and the National Development Strategy 2025–2029. These frameworks aim to position Senegal as a leading maritime and logistics hub in West Africa while fostering stronger regional cooperation centered on the blue economy.