The African maritime sector is at a crossroads, and the path it chooses will significantly shape the continent’s economic future. With over 90% of Africa’s trade conducted via maritime routes, shipping is the backbone of the continent’s economic infrastructure. However, the sector is under immense pressure to align with global climate imperatives, and the stakes are high. The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) revised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, adopted in July 2023, sets an ambitious target of net-zero emissions “by or around 2050.” This isn’t just a global trend; it’s a mandate that African states must heed to avoid exclusion from emerging green shipping corridors, increased trade costs, and diminished international competitiveness.
But here’s the rub: Africa’s maritime infrastructure and technological capabilities are critically underdeveloped. Most African ports lack access to zero-emission technologies like hydrogen propulsion, battery-electric vessels, and shore-side power systems. Digitalisation is limited, and shipbuilding infrastructure is outdated or non-existent. According to UNCTAD, only 2% of global clean shipping investments flow into Africa, and the continent contributes less than 4% of maritime technology-related patents. This isn’t just a gap; it’s a chasm that threatens to widen if urgent reforms aren’t implemented.
The IMO’s rules are reshaping the global logistics landscape, and African states that fail to adapt risk being left behind. The European Union, ASEAN, and the Global Maritime Forum are already developing green trade routes, and Africa could be excluded if it doesn’t step up. This isn’t about playing catch-up; it’s about leapfrogging to a cleaner, digital, and distributed future. But how can Africa achieve this?
International partnerships and structured technology transfer are not just transitional mechanisms; they’re vital pillars of a forward-looking maritime development strategy. Clean shipping technologies are capital-intensive, data-driven, and depend on access to sophisticated research ecosystems, skilled human capital, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. Africa needs to invest in these areas, and fast.
But here’s where it gets interesting. These partnerships must transcend the traditional donor-recipient paradigm. They must be equitable, inclusive, and focused on capacity-building. African maritime leaders need to adopt visionary, collaborative approaches to reposition the continent not as a passive beneficiary but as a co-creator in the green shipping transition. This isn’t just about acquiring technology; it’s about localising it, adapting it, and making it work for Africa.
Take Norway, Belgium, Japan, and South Korea, for instance. These advanced maritime nations offer Africa the opportunity to acquire, adapt, and localise cutting-edge technologies. These collaborations can enable local manufacturing, retrofit ageing fleets, and position African ports as strategic nodes in a decarbonised global supply chain. But it’s not just about the technology; it’s about the knowledge, the skills, and the institutional frameworks that come with it.
And let’s not forget the economic and environmental case for technology transfer. As the global shipping industry decarbonises, African ports and fleets risk being designated as “stranded assets” if they fail to modernise. But if they do, they can secure up to 20–30% increases in cargo volumes via preferential routing and reduced port turnaround times. Moreover, decarbonised maritime systems offer significant public health and environmental co-benefits. Electrifying port equipment and enabling ships to shut down auxiliary engines while docked can reduce air pollution dramatically, improving public health and protecting marine biodiversity.
But here’s the kicker: the costs of inaction are real and rising. African ports that fail to adopt low-emission technologies are already experiencing marginalisation. Some shipping alliances, including the Getting to Zero Coalition, have begun excluding high-emission ports from their routing schedules. This isn’t a distant threat; it’s happening now.
So, what’s the way forward? Africa needs to act fast, and it needs to act smart. It needs to invest in clean technologies, digitalisation, and human capital. It needs to forge equitable international partnerships and structured technology transfer agreements. It needs to adopt visionary leadership and inclusive governance. And it needs to do all this while navigating the complex interplay of infrastructure, regulation, trade, and climate policy.
But here’s the thing: Africa has done it before. It leapfrogged fixed telephone lines by embracing mobile networks. It can bypass the fossil-heavy shipping phase and embrace clean maritime systems. But it needs to act now. The future of the continent’s trade, environmental resilience, and integration into global value chains depend on it. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, get to work, and make it happen. The world is watching, and Africa has a unique opportunity to lead the green shipping transition. Let’s not miss it.
