Hassan Magulumali
Tanzania is set to host the 10th General Assembly of the Ministerial Conference of Eastern, Southern and Northern African States on Maritime Transport (MOESNA) on October 15, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, bringing together 26 ministers responsible for transport and logistics from member states.
The meeting, scheduled to take place at Johari Rotana Hotel, will focus on strengthening regional transport connectivity, facilitating trade and expanding cooperation in Africa’s maritime transport sector.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on October 13, 2026, Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile, representing Transport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa, said the conference would provide an important platform for African countries to develop coordinated strategies to improve transport services and strengthen economic integration.
Kihenzile said key discussions would focus on expanding cargo and passenger transportation by water between African ports, improving the competitiveness of African maritime transport and creating an enabling environment for African shipping companies to compete in international markets.
He added that MOESNA aims to encourage the establishment of African-owned shipping companies capable of competing globally, helping countries strengthen their participation in international maritime trade and improve control over the movement of goods.
Another major issue on the agenda is the establishment of a regional university specialising in maritime transport education, professional training, research and innovation. The institution is planned to be built in Tanzania, positioning the country as a potential regional centre for maritime education and skills development.
Kihenzile said the Tanzanian government was ready to cooperate with MOESNA and other member states to ensure the project is implemented successfully and delivers benefits across the region.
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MOESNA Executive Secretary Kassim Mpaata said preparations for the proposed university had continued to receive support from several countries, including Tanzania and Botswana.
He said the assembly would also bring together representatives from the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional economic communities to discuss strategies for advancing maritime transport and regional trade.
The planned university is expected to contribute to the development of specialised expertise in shipping, port operations, maritime logistics, marine technology and related fields. Such skills are increasingly important as African countries seek to improve port efficiency, modernise transport systems and develop competitive maritime industries.
Maritime transport plays a central role in Africa’s international trade. More than 90 per cent of the continent’s external trade by volume is transported by sea, making efficient ports, shipping services and logistics networks essential to economic growth and regional integration.
However, African countries continue to face challenges including high shipping costs, infrastructure gaps, limited participation in global shipping, port congestion and dependence on foreign-owned shipping services. Addressing these challenges could help reduce trade costs, improve supply chains and increase the competitiveness of African exports.
The discussions are also expected to highlight the importance of coordinating maritime policies, strengthening cooperation between ports and improving connections between sea transport and road, rail and inland transport networks.
For Tanzania, hosting the assembly provides an opportunity to advance regional maritime cooperation while highlighting the strategic importance of its ports, particularly the Port of Dar es Salaam, which serves as a major gateway for domestic cargo and goods destined for land-linked countries in East and Southern Africa.
The outcomes of the meeting could contribute to efforts to improve maritime skills, strengthen African shipping capacity and expand trade links across the continent.
As African countries pursue deeper economic integration under the AfCFTA, stronger maritime transport systems will remain important for facilitating the movement of goods, supporting industrial development and expanding access to international markets.
