To set up the ports more competitive, more innovative was the core problem of the debate in Dakar, Senegal, between African port managers thanks of the 11th Conference of the Pan African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC), who was held as part of major activities of 38th Counicil meeting of Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).
Participants met to deliberate on how globalization should facilitate intra-African
trade.The conference which was held between February 13-17, witnessed Africa and global port experts including speakers from World Trade Organization (WTO) and the African Development Bank (ADB).
"We must first of all increase the role of intra-African trade, which is very low, less than 15%, and the dynamics of Africa in world trade, which is less than 3%."
This year’s edition focused on “Quality approach in African Ports toward ISO certification : challenges and prospects.
“We must first of all increase the role of intra-African trade, which is very low, less than 15%, and the dynamics of Africa in world trade, which is less than 3%.” said Cheikh Kante, Director General autonomous port of Dakar.
Beyond questioning the economic model of African ports, participants at the summit also pointed out challenges of infrastructure.
During the deliberations dedicated to “Port community System, quality acceleration for African logistics” SOGET gave a testimony of best practices of change management with port stakeholders in the context of PCS implementation.
The port Management Association of West Africa and the Central Africa (PMAWCA) is a sub-regional intergovernmental economic organisation, consisting of twenty-two consistent member ports and Nine Associate members including landlocked countries and maritime organizations.
It is clear that Ports play major role in the growth of economy in Africa, but they are still dragging their feet in some areas, like infrastructure and logistics. The organizers are aware of this and make these priorities major challenges. The meeting in Dakar should therefore set up a stage for sustainable solutions to make Africa a hub of trade and maritime traffic.
