Ministers responsible for transport and energy endorsed key maritime policy and regulatory frameworks during the 5th Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Transport and Energy (STC-T&E), marking an important step towards accelerating Africa’s green and digital maritime transformation.

The endorsed frameworks establish Africa’s common position on maritime decarbonisation, green port transformation, harmonised maritime governance under the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter (2010), and digital modernisation through the Maritime Single Window (MSW). The frameworks aim at enhancing Africa’s maritime competitiveness, climate resilience, and trade facilitation agenda under Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Revised African Maritime Transport Charter (2010), which entered into force in August 2025, modernises Africa’s maritime governance framework by harmonising safety standards, environmental protection measures, and intra-African trade facilitation. Its implementation roadmap outlines milestones for ratification and domestication by AU Member States, alongside infrastructure modernisation and a mid-term evaluation planned for 2027.

The Policy Recommendations and Technical Guidelines for Supporting the Development of African Green Ports, developed in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, provide a practical roadmap for African ports to strengthen climate resilience, improve operational efficiency, and enhance global competitiveness. The Guidelines promote the electrification of port equipment and operations, the adoption of alternative low-carbon fuels, the digitalisation of port and logistics services, and climate-resilient infrastructure planning to support sustainable and efficient port development across the continent.

The Continental Strategy for Reducing Maritime Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, developed in collaboration with the PATNA Initiative, advances a strong African Common Position on the global maritime energy transition aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) net-zero emissions target by 2050. It responds to Africa’s exposure to external carbon measures, including the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and calls for accelerated implementation of MARPOL Annex VI, green shipping corridors, port decarbonisation programmes, alternative marine fuels, and the establishment of an African Green Maritime Transition Facility.

The Maritime Single Window (MSW) Framework, developed in collaboration with the African Transport Policy Program World Bank, seeks to close Africa’s digital gap in port and vessel operations. With only 8 of Africa’s 26 coastal states currently operating MSWs, the Framework proposes a six-step programme to improve regulatory compliance, reduce operational costs, strengthen supply chain predictability, and optimise port performance.

The African Union Commission (AUC) called upon Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), development partners, and the private sector to ratify and domesticate the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter (2010), accelerate implementation of MARPOL Annex VI, integrate the Green Ports Guidelines into national maritime and port development strategies, fast-track deployment of MSWs, and mobilise resources for the African Green Maritime Transition Facility.

The AUC also underscored the importance of cybersecurity legislation and digital resilience to protect emerging smart port infrastructure across the continent.

The endorsement of these frameworks mark a decisive step towards a more sustainable, competitive, and digitally enabled African maritime sector. Through enhanced decarbonisation, digitalisation, and governance reform, Africa is strengthening its position in the global maritime industry while promoting food security, sustainable trade competitiveness, and inclusive economic growth under Agenda 2063.

For Media Inquiries: 

1. Ms. Bezayit Eyoel | Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union Commission| E-mail: BezayitE@africanunion.org|
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org
3. Dr Raissa-Julie Ada Allogo | Principal Maritime & Inland WaterWays Transport Officer | Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union Commission| E-mail:AdaAllogoR@africanunion.org 

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