Maritime industry experts have called for the development of a robust maritime industry for effective trading within the single continental market. Africa has been opened up for free trading, since the beginning of 2021, with the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area, but experts believe much is left to be desired in terms of the readiness of countries to trade effectively within the single continental market.
Speaking on Eye on Port, a maritime law consultant and legal practitioner at Alliance Partners, Dr. Kofi Mbiah, opined that development ought to be made in infrastructure, the implementation of appropriate legal frameworks, and trading standards.
Dr, Mbiah who is also the immediate past CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, asserted that the transport infrastructure in African countries are weak. He stated that since trade is inextricably tied to transport, failure to invest and develop hinterland transport systems will render developments in port
infrastructure futile. “The transport connectivity in most sub-Saharan ports is poor. Go to Apapa port in Lagos, for example, there is serious gridlock – about 5-10km of
trucks lined up in a queue. You can’t build AfCFTA on that,” Dr. Mbiah cited. Read More.
