TANZANIA is set to host the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Maritime Organisation of Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), bringing together approximately 26 ministers responsible for transport from member states on October 15, 2026, in Dar es Salaam.
Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba is expected to be the Guest of Honour at the meeting, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation in maritime transport, promote trade among African countries and enhance the continent’s competitiveness in international markets.
The meeting comes at a time when maritime transport continues to play a vital role in facilitating cargo and passenger movement, strengthening trade and promoting economic development in both coastal and landlocked countries across Africa.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on preparations for the meeting, Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile said Tanzania recognises its strategic position in advancing maritime transport and strengthening trade connectivity across Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa.
Kihenzile, who was speaking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, said the meeting would discuss strategies to improve regional cooperation, expand cargo and passenger shipping services, and create a conducive environment for trade and investment.
He said key issues on the agenda would include the Regional Maritime Cabotage Protocol between member states’ ports and cooperation among regional shipping companies. The initiatives aim to facilitate trade, improve coordination of transport services and reduce cargo transportation costs.
“Tanzania occupies a strategic position due to its geographical location along the Indian Ocean and in the Great Lakes region, while the Port of Dar es Salaam serves as a key trade gateway for neighbouring countries, including Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and Uganda,” he said.
Kihenzile said cooperation among member states was essential to ensuring efficient maritime transport services and supporting regional and international trade, particularly for landlocked countries that rely on neighbouring countries’ ports to access various markets.
He added that the meeting would also discuss a proposal to establish a Regional Maritime University to strengthen education, training, research and innovation in the maritime transport sector.
The proposed institution aims to increase the number of skilled professionals required in the sector, improve training standards and promote the shared use of educational infrastructure and technology among institutions in member states.
For his part, MOESNA Secretary-General Kassim Mpaata said member states had agreed to cooperate in financing the construction of the university, with the Government of Tanzania taking the lead in implementing the initiative.
Mpaata said some countries had already expressed their willingness to contribute to the project, which seeks to build the capacity of professionals needed to serve the maritime transport sector across the region.
He added that the meeting would also deliberate on MOESNA’s five-year Strategic Plan for 2026/27 to 2030/31, which will provide direction for implementing the organisation’s priorities in developing the maritime transport sector.
The meeting is expected to further strengthen cooperation among member states on maritime safety, improve transport services and explore opportunities arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote trade and economic growth across the continent.