ABIDJAN PORT PARTICIPATES IN THE 44TH COUNCIL OF THE PORT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA (PMAWCA): A STRONG COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE HINTERLAND CONNECTIVITY

Activités portuaires Thursday 09 January 2025

The 44th Council of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) opened on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Chapiteau by Issa in Conakry, Guinea, under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Guinea, His Excellency Amadou OURY BAH.

Several Managing Directors and representatives of member ports, maritime and port sector experts, ministers, representatives of international organizations, and administrative authorities attended this important meeting to discuss challenges and opportunities related to improving hinterland connectivity.

Under the theme “Optimizing Hinterland Connectivity: Challenges of Connectivity, Fluidity, and Reliability,” the event highlighted key logistical issues affecting ports in the region and their ability to support national and sub-regional economies.

Abidjan Port, a major player in regional trade and a founding member of PMAWCA, actively participated in the sessions with a large delegation led by Mr. N’DOLI Kouadio André, Director of Engineering and Project Management, representing Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ, the Managing Director of Abidjan Port Authority.

Abidjan Port participated in the event, sharing its strategies for regional integration, streamlining trade flows, and modernizing logistical infrastructures.

During his opening remarks, Mr. Martin BOGUIKOUMA, Managing Director of the Gabon Port Authority (OPRAG) and acting President of PMAWCA, emphasized the critical importance of enhancing connectivity between ports and their hinterlands. He noted that this issue is particularly vital for landlocked countries in the region, which rely heavily on port, road, and rail infrastructures for their imports and exports.

Guinea’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Mohamed BAKAYOKO, highlighted the need to optimize logistical corridors to strengthen port competitiveness and stimulate trade in the region.

The Prime Minister of Guinea, His Excellency Amadou OURY BAH, stressed that beyond technological and infrastructural solutions, regional cooperation is essential to overcome the common challenges faced by ports in West and Central Africa.

In conclusion, the Guinean Prime Minister called for enhanced collaboration between ports. Which, would enable to facilitate trade flows, reduce logistical costs, and strengthen the competitiveness of African ports in the global market.

By participating in this major event, the Abidjan Port Authority reaffirmed its commitment to being a key player in transforming the port landscape of West and Central Africa.

The Ivorian delegation shared several initiatives implemented by Abidjan Port Authority to improve trade flows, including modernizing its port equipment, introducing digital solutions for flow management, and expanding its logistical infrastructures to meet the growing needs of the hinterland.