By Amos Harris
CONGO TOWN, LIBERIA – Liberia has officially opened its doors to over 300 maritime leaders, policymakers, and experts from Africa, Europe, and Asia as it hosts the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).
The three-day gathering, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex from September 30 to October 3, 2025, marks the first time Liberia is hosting such a major continental maritime forum.
Delivering the keynote welcome, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), described the event as “a milestone in the country’s maritime history.”
“This speaks to how proud we are to have you visiting us in Liberia, and we are confident that your expertise and experience will greatly enrich the discussions and deliberations over the coming days,” Cllr. Lighe told delegates, who included members of the Liberian Legislature and representatives from various African maritime administrations.
According to Lighe, the conference comes at a critical time when Africa’s maritime industry faces growing challenges such as piracy, geopolitical tensions, infrastructure gaps, environmental degradation, and weak regulatory systems. He stressed that only collective solutions can safeguard the sector’s future, with AAMA serving as a crucial platform for collaboration.
Commissioner Lighe outlined LiMA’s five-year strategic plan, which aims to position Liberia’s maritime sector as a key driver of national economic growth. The plan focuses on several areas: ship demolition and recycling, seafaring, bunkering, eco-tourism, and the expansion of the domestic maritime industry, all while emphasizing maritime safety and security.
The Commissioner also highlighted the immense potential of the “blue economy” for Africa’s development, citing opportunities in marine transport, trade, food security, tourism, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
However, he warned that Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, limited investment, and weak institutional capacity must be addressed to fully unlock these benefits. He further urged stronger partnerships between AAMA, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and the African Union to harmonize policies and accelerate progress toward Africa’s maritime development agenda.
The conference is expected to discuss strategies for strengthening maritime governance, enhancing safety and security, and fostering sustainable economic opportunities across the continent. “We are delighted to host this meeting, and we hope you will enjoy the hospitality, people, and culture of Liberia,” Lighe concluded.