By Zipporah Steve,
A fresh push to reshape how goods move across Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa gathered pace today as MOESNA, in collaboration with COMESA, convened a stakeholder’s meeting to validate two major draft reports on maritime development.
The session focused on a feasibility study exploring the creation of regional shipping lines and a proposed maritime cabotage framework aimed at strengthening local participation in sea transport.
Delegates drawn from government, port authorities and the private sector used the forum to examine how the region can reduce its dependence on foreign shipping companies, which continue to dominate cargo movement and drive up transport costs.
Addressing the meeting, COMESA Assistant Secretary General Amb. Mohamed Kadah said the time has come for the region to rethink how it handles its maritime trade.
“We cannot continue to rely almost entirely on external carriers to move goods within and beyond our region. If we build our own capacity, we will not only cut costs but also improve efficiency and reliability in our supply chains,” he noted.
MOESNA Secretary General Mr Kassim Mpaata said the discussions reflect growing consensus that stronger regional coordination is needed to unlock the full potential of maritime trade.
“This process is about listening to stakeholders and ensuring the proposals we adopt are workable. We want solutions that respond to the needs of our ports, our traders and our economies,” he said.
The feasibility study outlines options for setting up a regional shipping line, including how it could be financed and managed. Participants noted that improved shipping services could shorten delivery times and make it easier for businesses to trade across borders.
Representing the Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Mr Aden Abdi Millah, Director of Shipping Mr Julius Segera said the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen the region’s logistics systems.
“Efficient maritime transport is central to trade growth,” he said. “What we are discussing here has the potential to make our ports more competitive and support industries that depend on timely movement of goods,” Segera explained.
The draft cabotage protocol also drew keen interest, with stakeholders weighing how best to support local shipping operators without disrupting existing trade flows.
Frederick Mwakusaka, Permanent Secretary in Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics and Chair of the MOESNA Coordination Committee, said building local capacity must remain a priority.
“We must create opportunities for our own companies to participate meaningfully in maritime transport,” he said. “At the same time, we need to ensure that the system remains efficient and open enough to sustain trade growth.”
Some participants cautioned that the success of the proposals will depend on how well countries coordinate policies and address funding gaps. Others called for gradual implementation to give industry players time to adapt.
Despite the concerns, there was strong support for moving forward with the plans, with many describing them as long overdue steps toward a more self-reliant maritime sector.
The feedback collected during the workshop will be used to refine the reports before they are presented for adoption, marking another step toward a more connected and competitive regional trade network.