Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has called on African countries to strengthen cooperation in the maritime transport sector by integrating port, railway and road infrastructure to facilitate trade, create jobs and promote economic growth among member states.
He made the remarks today, October 15, 2026, in Dar es Salaam while officially opening the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Maritime Organisation for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), stressing that the development of maritime transport is essential for connecting markets, production centres and countries across the region.
Dr Nchemba said Tanzania plays a strategic role in regional transportation through the Port of Dar es Salaam, which connects the Indian Ocean to various African countries and serves as a major trade gateway for Tanzania and its neighbouring countries.
“This meeting provides an opportunity to assess the implementation of resolutions adopted during the previous meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2020, and to develop new strategies to address challenges facing the maritime transport sector,” he said.
He noted that key issues on the meeting’s agenda include a regional protocol on the transportation of cargo and passengers by sea, cooperation among shipping companies, and preparations for the establishment of a Regional Maritime University that would serve as a centre for education, research and innovation in the sector.
Dr Nchemba explained that the development of maritime transport must go hand in hand with the construction and improvement of railway and road infrastructure to ensure that cargo arriving at ports is efficiently transported to production centres and markets.
He cited Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen transport infrastructure, including the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), both of which are important in connecting ports with inland areas and neighbouring countries.
For his part, the Minister for Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, said Tanzania had accepted the responsibility of leading regional cooperation in maritime transport with humility and firm commitment.
He said the development of the sector was fundamental to expanding trade, attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the economies of member states.
“During Tanzania’s chairmanship, emphasis will be placed on strengthening maritime transport, increasing African countries’ participation in ship ownership and operations, developing professional expertise and promoting the blue economy,” he said.
Prof Mbarawa also thanked delegates and stakeholders who contributed to preparations for the meeting, noting that cooperation among member states was essential to achieving their shared objectives for the development of the maritime transport sector.
Meanwhile, MOESNA Secretary-General Kassim Mpaata said approximately 88 per cent of global trade is transported by sea, yet a significant proportion of maritime activities is controlled by foreign-owned shipping companies.
He said this situation forces African countries to incur shipping costs when transporting their goods, while a substantial share of the revenue generated from maritime activities benefits foreign stakeholders.
Mr Mpaata identified other challenges facing the sector as high transportation costs, non-transparent charges, unreliable shipping schedules and inconsistent regulatory systems, which undermine the competitiveness of African businesses.
He said MOESNA continues to encourage member states to pool resources, exchange expertise and develop joint strategies to increase African participation in ship ownership and operations, shipbuilding and repair, as well as other activities across the maritime transport value chain.
He added that the cooperation also involves strengthening maritime safety, protecting the marine environment and advancing education and professional training for experts in the sector.
Earlier, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila said the region plays a vital role in Tanzania’s economy because of its contribution to trade and maritime transport.
Mr Chalamila said Dar es Salaam has a population of approximately six million people and serves as a major hub for trade and diplomacy.
He welcomed delegates attending the meeting, expressing confidence that the resolutions reached would benefit Tanzanians and other member states.