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PMAESA and DPFZA Convene Horn of Africa Ports & Maritime Stakeholder Forum to Strengthen Regional Cooperation & Connectivity

By admin / 10 February 2026

The Port Management Association of Eastern & Southern Africa (PMAESA), in partnership with the Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority (DPFZA), successfully convened the Horn of Africa Ports & Maritime Stakeholder Forum in Djibouti, on 9th February 2026, bringing together port authorities, maritime administrations, terminal operators, logistics actors, development partners and regional institutions.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Dialogue, Connectivity and Operational Collaboration,” the Forum underscored the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa within global maritime trade networks and regional supply chains.

With a coastline of nearly 6,000 kilometers and serving a population of approximately 160 million people, the Horn of Africa occupies a pivotal position linking Africa to major international shipping lanes across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Participants emphasized that the region’s ports are not only national assets but critical regional lifelines that underpin trade competitiveness, humanitarian supply chains and economic resilience.

In his opening remarks, PMAESA Secretary General, Col. Andre Ciseau, highlighted the need for structured regional engagement at the technical and operational level.

He noted that while trade volumes continue to grow and vessels increase in size, ports across the region face rising operational complexity, regulatory misalignment and infrastructure pressures that no single country can address in isolation. The Forum was convened to provide a practical platform for experience-sharing, harmonization of practices and collaborative problem-solving.

Col. Ciseau commended the Government of Djibouti and DPFZA for their sustained investment in world-class port and logistics infrastructure, emphasizing Djibouti’s role as a stable and reliable maritime partner in a strategically sensitive region.

In his address, DPFZA leadership welcomed delegates to Djibouti and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in the maritime sector.

Participants examined key priorities including:

  • Improving port efficiency and operational performance
  • Enhancing corridor integration and multimodal connectivity
  • Advancing digitalization through smart ports and integrated port community systems
  • Strengthening data sharing to improve transparency and trade facilitation
  • Enhancing human resource capacity building for ports and maritime transport.

Discussions also underscored the importance of hinterland connectivity and coordinated trade facilitation measures in transforming ports into gateways for regional development.

Investing in Human Capital and Maritime Excellence

Recognizing that infrastructure and systems must be supported by skilled professionals, DPFZA proposed strengthening collaboration between regional maritime training institutions, including Djibouti’s maritime academies and partner institutions across the region. The initiative aims to enhance capacity building and professional development within the Horn of Africa’s maritime sector, with potential engagement of international partners.

Towards a Coordinated Maritime Sub-Region

The Forum emphasized that structured dialogue, trust-building and coordinated action among public institutions, private operators and regional organizations are essential to building resilient and competitive maritime and logistics chains.

PMAESA indicated that the outcomes of the Forum will inform its future programming, advocacy and technical support initiatives within the Horn of Africa, reinforcing its role as a regional convening platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Both PMAESA and DPFZA reaffirmed their shared commitment to positioning the Horn of Africa as a coordinated, efficient and forward-looking maritime sub-region capable of shaping its own maritime future.

Participating Organizations

  • Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority (DPFZA)
  • Port Management Association of Eastern & Southern Africa (PMAESA)
  • Djibouti Multi-Purpose Port (DMP)
  • Société de Gestion du Terminal à Conteneurs de Doraleh (SGTD)
  • Djibouti Port Community System (DPCS)
  • Djibouti Ports Corridor Road SA (DPCR)
  • Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ)
  • Djiboutian Freight Forwarders Association
  • Shipping Line Association in Djibouti
  • Trademark Africa
  • Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)
  • Namibian Ports Authority (Namport)
  • Grand Port Maritime de La Réunion (Port of Réunion)
  • Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA)
  • Regional Training Maritime Center of Djibouti
  • Coordinate KE
  • Tanger Med Engineering (TME)
  • IRM Offshore & Marine Engineers Pvt Ltd

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