Banjul, The Gambia — The Gambia has taken up the presidency of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) following the successful conclusion of the organisation’s 19th General Assembly and 50th anniversary celebrations, held in Banjul.
The week-long event brought together senior government officials, maritime experts, representatives from regional navies, port authorities, and private sector stakeholders from across West and Central Africa to discuss strategic priorities for maritime cooperation in the region.
🚢 Unity, Cooperation and Shared Maritime Goals
At the closing ceremony, outgoing MOWCA leadership acknowledged the organisation’s achievements in enhancing maritime governance, safety, security and environmental protection throughout its 50-year history.
The Gambia’s assumption of the presidency marks a renewed focus on:
- Strengthening regional collaboration on maritime safety and security
- Enhancing capacity building and technical training
- Promoting sustainable development of the blue economy
- Supporting harmonised maritime policies among member states
Officials emphasised that Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon and other member states would continue working with The Gambia to address shared challenges and reinforce collective action.
🌍 Milestones Celebrated at the 50th Anniversary
The anniversary celebrations allowed member nations to reflect on five decades of progress in:
- Combating piracy and armed robbery at sea
- Advancing maritime safety standards
- Developing search-and-rescue frameworks
- Protecting marine environments
- Facilitating data-sharing and cooperative patrols
Deliberations included strategies to accelerate maritime domain awareness — a key focus in the Gulf of Guinea, where coordinated efforts have helped reduce incidents of piracy and other transnational crimes.
Members reiterated a commitment to deepening cooperation with international partners and aligning with global standards set by institutions like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and regional mechanisms such as the Yaoundé Code of Conduct.
🛡️ Strategic Priorities Under Gambian Leadership
The Gambia’s new presidency of MOWCA will emphasise:
1. Maritime Security Coordination
Expanding joint operations, information-sharing and coordinated patrols across territorial waters.
2. Capacity Building & Training
Strengthening training programmes for maritime agencies and enhancing technical expertise across member states.
3. Blue Economy & Sustainable Growth
Advancing initiatives that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, including fisheries management and port development.
4. Environmental Protection
Improving strategies to address marine pollution, ecosystem degradation and climate-related risks.
Gambian officials highlighted the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement — bringing together governments, private sector actors and civil society — to build resilient and sustainable maritime ecosystems.
Related
- Original MaritimAfrica report: The Gambia takes the helm of MOWCA as 19th General Assembly and 50th anniversary conclude in Banjul — https://maritimafrica.com/en/the-gambia-takes-the-helm-of-mowca-as-19th-general-assembly-and-50th-anniversary-conclude-in-banjul/
- Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Official Site: https://www.mowca.org/
- International Maritime Organization (IMO): https://www.imo.org/
- Yaoundé Code of Conduct — ECOWAS Maritime Security Framework: https://www.peaceau.org/
- Gulf of Guinea Piracy and Maritime Security Reports (IMB): https://www.icc-ccs.org/piracyreportingcentre
