By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Monrovia, Liberia — Liberia’s Maritime Commissioner, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., has rallied African maritime nations to unite in confronting the continent’s growing ocean-related challenges, declaring that “no country can solitarily address them within its institutional and jurisdictional limits.”
Delivering the keynote address at the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), held for the first time in Liberia, Commissioner Lighe underscored the urgency for collective regional collaboration to secure Africa’s maritime future.
“We are gathering at a time when Africa’s maritime sector is confronted with many challenges—piracy, geopolitical tensions, infrastructure deficits, and environmental degradation,” he said. “These challenges transcend national boundaries, and addressing them requires us to pool our resources, expertise and knowledge.”
The Commissioner’s statement marked a significant moment as Liberia—one of the world’s oldest and largest maritime nations—hosted a major continental maritime event for the first time.
Liberia’s Vision: From Regulation to Economic Growth
Commissioner Lighe outlined the Liberia Maritime Authority’s (LiMA) ongoing transformation from a purely regulatory body to a key economic driver.
He announced that the Authority is implementing a five-year strategic plan aimed at positioning the maritime sector as “a pathway to sustainable growth and development.”
The plan targets new business streams such as ship recycling, seafaring, bunkering, ecotourism, and the expansion of domestic maritime operations.
“We are positioning ourselves to meaningfully drive economic growth in Liberia,” he said, noting that LiMA will work with private partners through public–private partnerships to unlock investment opportunities.
Embracing Africa’s Blue Economy
Commissioner Lighe also emphasized the vast potential of Africa’s blue economy, describing it as central to the continent’s future prosperity.
“Africa’s blue economy holds immense potential for trade, food security, job creation, and climate resilience,” he said, adding that success will depend on addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, limited investment, and capacity gaps.
He commended the African Union’s Blue Economy Strategy for setting a clear roadmap but called for stronger coordination among regional bodies such as AAMA, MOWCA, and the African Union to ensure alignment and efficiency.
“Collaboration with the AU on the maritime transport component of the blue economy is crucial and needs urgent attention,” Lighe urged.
A Milestone for Liberia
The conference, which brought together delegates from across Africa, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the diplomatic corps, was described as a milestone for Liberia’s maritime leadership.
Commissioner Lighe extended appreciation to international and regional partners and urged delegates to enjoy Liberia’s hospitality.
“Despite our longstanding history in global shipping, this is the first time Liberia is hosting a continental maritime conference,” he noted. “We are proud and honored to have you with us.”
With calls for innovation, partnership, and unity echoing through his speech, Commissioner Lighe reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to helping shape Africa’s maritime destiny.
“AAMA provides the institutional framework for cooperation in tackling our shared challenges and establishing Africa as an enviable maritime powerhouse,” he concluded.