Positioning African Maritime Services as Key Enablers of the Emerging Single African Market

Africa has enormous untapped potential in the maritime and logistics services sector. This provides the continent with the ability to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to develop the sector through an ecosystem approach to facilitate intra-Africa trade and socio-economic development. With one-third of African countries being landlocked and a few island states, maritime transport is a key determinant of Africa’s trade competitiveness, enabling effective access to shipping services and port networks. Maritime trade in Africa is currently shaped by the continent’s concentration on commodities and limited diversification. To position the maritime sector as a key enabler of intra–African trade, AfCFTA States must offer maritime services commitments, and conclude comprehensive regulatory frameworks in maritime services that allow industry development. This will spur growth in economic activities, create jobs and increase trade in manufactures and agribusiness. It will also enable the continent to further industrialise and develop its promised regional value chains (RVCs). Delivering on this promise means Africa must also address challenges including port infrastructure and connectivity, sustainability issues, ship ownership and registration, access by landlocked states, and digitalization. National policy and regulatory alignment with sector commitments would complete the picture.