MOWCA member states, experts demand takeoff of Maritime Fund policy 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa(MOWCA) rising from a three day workshop in the Republic of Congo has been mandated by member states and experts to commence a processs of sensitisation for uniform application of Regional Maritime Fund policy effective January 2026.

Dr Paul Adalikwu, MOWCA Secretary General was mandated to lead an awareness campaign to the 25 member countries throughout 2025, in order to ensure the full

implementation of the Regional Maritime Fund (RMF) from January 1, 2026

Member countries recalled that the Regional Maritime Fund (RMF) mechanism, approved by the MOWCA General Assembly in 1999, aimed to enhance maritime sector financing across the countries and facilitate the Maritime Administration’s ability to implement national policies and support regional projects on an eighty- twenty (80-20) basis on $3 per metric tonne of cargo carried

It is to be generated through a levy on shipowners operating in the West and Central African subregion as a self-financing model that allocates 80% of collected funds for the country of transaction and 20% for MOWCA

Speaking on the development, Dr Adalikwu described sustainable maritime funding as a prerequisite to building a verile blue economy capable of supporting national development

According to the SG, not funding the maritime sector but expecting gains from it is like having a perfect automobile without fueling but wishing it takes you to your destination

He added that for the gap created by the many years MOWCA countries failed to do funding according to the extant rule caused a setback in maritime development, however expressed optimism in overcoming the challenges where there is cooperation and support.

Adalikwu listed derivable gains from the funding, when implemented , to include improvement in maritime infrastructure; rapid development of maritime expertise through training and retraining; proper harnessing of marine endowments for environmentally friendly and sustainable economic activities; evolving a development of blue economy across member countries in line with international best practice.

The MOWCA SG lauded member states that have been contributing to the financial sustenance of the organisation and urged others to emulate them.

He added that African countries with marine endowments and dry ports capabilities needed to give priority attention to multimodal transportation for ease of connectivity and movement of goods and services.

He stated that the MOWCA Secretariat is willing to support in the area of technical collaboration and easy access to experts within the region for transfer of knowledge and training.

“The maritime industry is the driving force of global commerce and should not be given a backstage position during national budgeting by countries endowed as coastal states.

“It’s time African countries build capacities, acquire technology and ensure transfer of knowledge from the old to younger generation of maritime professionals and experts.

” As various member states push for their tailor made cabotage regime, I believe we can create a regional cabotage where businesses citizens of MOWCA member countries enjoy priority opportunities ahead of foreigners as a way of creating a flourishing blue economy,” he said.