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Nigeria, Tanzania Forge Strategic Alliance to Boost Maritime Sector Development
Nigeria and Tanzania have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening maritime cooperation following high-level talks between officials from both nations. The renewed partnership emerged during a strategic visit by a 19-member Tanzanian delegation to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) headquarters in Lagos.
Speaking at the bilateral meeting, NSC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Akutah Pius expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential to transform shipping operations across East Africa. He outlined key focus areas, including technical support initiatives, inter-port partnerships, capacity building programmes, and infrastructure sharing agreements designed to accelerate growth in Tanzania’s maritime industry.
Pius praised Tanzania’s progressive approach toward private sector involvement in port operations, noting that such policies align with Nigeria’s successful model of encouraging private investment in maritime infrastructure. “The shipping business must be driven by the private sector because of the enormity of investments required,” he emphasized, underscoring the critical role of transport connectivity in establishing maritime hubs under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The NSC chief executive stressed that developing nations particularly benefit when private investors lead shipping industry development, citing Nigeria’s experience as a model for sustainable growth.
Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Celestine Gervas Kakele, highlighted his country’s eagerness to adopt lessons from Nigeria’s port economic regulatory framework. He positioned the NSC as a vital strategic partner in building Tanzania’s indigenous shipping capabilities and enhancing operational efficiency.
Deputy Attorney General of Tanzania, Samuel Marco Manene, acknowledged Nigeria’s prominent position in West African trade, stating that Tanzania seeks to leverage Nigeria’s expertise while maximizing its own strategic geographical advantages within the continent.
The discussions reinforced both countries’ determination to strengthen existing trade relationships and expand commercial ties. Officials outlined plans for continued engagement and knowledge transfer initiatives aimed at driving maritime sector growth throughout Africa.
This partnership represents a significant step toward regional integration and could serve as a blueprint for similar collaborations across the continent as African nations work to maximize the benefits of the AfCFTA framework.