Nigeria, Ghana Sign Historic Maritime Pact to Boost Blue Economy, Security and Trade

Nigeria and Ghana have taken a bold step towards redefining maritime cooperation in West Africa, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) signing a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at transforming regional maritime governance and accelerating Blue Economy development.

The agreement, signed in Lagos, signals a renewed commitment by both countries to work together in addressing common maritime challenges while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, capacity development and regional prosperity.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the agreement as a practical roadmap for stronger collaboration between the two maritime administrations, while appreciating Ghana for its support during Nigeria’s successful re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Category C Council.

According to Mobereola, the enduring relationship between Nigeria and Ghana has continued to contribute significantly to maritime growth across the region, making the latest agreement both timely and strategic.

“This Memorandum of Understanding is more than a ceremonial document. It is our collective commitment to strengthen our economies, improve maritime safety and build a more resilient maritime sector for the benefit of our people,” he said.

He stressed that the partnership would focus on delivering measurable outcomes through structured implementation, covering key areas such as maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC), institutional capacity building, technical knowledge exchange, comparative research, joint enforcement operations and coordinated participation at international maritime organisations.

The NIMASA Director General emphasized that both agencies would develop annual implementation plans to ensure the agreement translates into concrete achievements rather than remaining a policy document.
“We will continue to work together to grow our economies and make the maritime sector safer. NIMASA will fully play its part in implementing this agreement, while both institutions must establish annual implementation agendas to monitor progress and deliver tangible results,” Mobereola stated.

He further noted that as two of West Africa’s foremost maritime nations, Nigeria and Ghana share a responsibility to shape the future of maritime development across West and Central Africa.

According to him, the collaboration is expected to extend beyond bilateral relations by strengthening regional cooperation capable of unlocking the enormous economic potential of Africa’s Blue Economy.

To ensure effective implementation, the agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Consultative Team (JCT) comprising designated focal persons from both countries. The team will develop action plans, coordinate joint programmes and monitor implementation through biannual meetings hosted alternately by Nigeria and Ghana.

The partnership is also expected to strengthen maritime governance, improve institutional effectiveness, support evidence-based policymaking through collaborative research and reinforce joint efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea and maritime terrorism, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the signing as a defining moment in the long-standing relationship between both maritime institutions.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership within Africa’s maritime sector, revealing that Ghana has benefited immensely from studying Nigeria’s maritime reforms, including its Cabotage regime, ship registry and regulatory frameworks.

“This Memorandum of Understanding consolidates an already mutually beneficial relationship. Ghana remains fully committed to implementing every aspect of the agreement as we continue to learn from one another and work together to strengthen maritime administration across the region,” he said.

Industry observers believe the agreement represents more than bilateral cooperation—it reflects a shared vision for a safer, more integrated and economically vibrant maritime domain in West Africa.

With maritime trade serving as the backbone of regional commerce, the Nigeria-Ghana partnership is expected to enhance investor confidence, improve regulatory standards, strengthen maritime security and position both nations as leading drivers of sustainable Blue Economy development on the African continent.