Africa handles a significant share of global maritime trade but owns only a small proportion of the world’s shipping fleet. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), more than 80 percent of global trade is moved by sea, yet African ship ownership remains limited compared to Europe and Asia. Much of the continent’s exports, including oil, minerals, and agricultural goods, rely on foreign vessels. This imbalance has raised concerns among African policymakers who argue that stronger maritime governance and ship ownership could allow the continent to capture greater economic value from global trade. To solidify this discourse, both Liberia and Tanzania came together to bet on the sea.
On 14 February 2026, Liberia and Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector. The agreement focuses on regulatory alignment, ship registration reform, and seafarer training, with the broader objective of enhancing Africa’s participation in the global maritime industry.
Beyond its technical scope, the partnership reflects complementary national priorities with implications that extend further. Tanzania aims to formalise and commercialise its maritime sector, while Liberia, home to one of the world’s largest ship registries, seeks to expand continental collaboration by sharing institutional expertise and regulatory experience.
Strengthening Governance and Regulatory Alignment
At the signing ceremony, Mohamad Salum, Director General of the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC), described the MoU as a practical framework for cooperation. Under the agreement, Liberia will provide technical support in ship registry management, compliance systems, and international maritime oversight.
Liberia’s ship registry has played a central role in global shipping for decades. The registry operates as an open registry system, allowing ship owners from around the world to register vessels under the Liberian flag. Today, the Liberian fleet includes thousands of vessels transporting oil, manufactured goods, and raw materials across international trade routes. The registry generates significant revenue for Liberia and supports maritime administration, regulatory oversight, and port development.
Currently, Liberia is the only African country holding a Category “A” seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, giving it a direct role in shaping global maritime standards. Through this partnership, Tanzania will gain exposure to international regulatory processes, including engagement with conventions such as the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW) and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Closer regulatory harmonisation is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s compliance capacity and enhance its international standing.
Expanding Seafarer Training and Employment
Across Africa, policymakers increasingly view the blue economy as a major driver of economic growth. The concept extends far beyond shipping and includes fisheries, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, and offshore energy development. The African Union (AU) estimates that Africa’s maritime zones cover more than 13 million square kilometres, offering significant potential for economic activity. However, unlocking that potential requires stronger institutions, better regulation, and a skilled maritime workforce.
On 25 June 2025, during the International Day of the Seafarer, Tanzania encouraged young people, particularly women, to pursue careers in the maritime sector, citing global labour shortages and domestic employment opportunities. A 2025 Lloyd’s Register Foundation report estimates that Africa accounts for approximately 4 percent of the world’s 1.9 million seafarers, or about 78,000 professionals. Several factors can explain Africa’s limited representation in the workforce. Maritime academies across the continent often struggle with limited training vessels, outdated equipment, and restricted access to international certification programs. In addition, many young Africans face barriers in obtaining the required sea-time experience needed for professional licensing.
With a population exceeding 70 million and a large youth demographic, Tanzania views maritime training as a strategic pathway to job creation. This partnership with Liberia will address the gaps by improving training, governance, and maritime infrastructure. Presently, Liberia’s representative to the IMO, Robert Kpadeh, underscored this ambition, noting that the partnership aims to train, certify, and empower a new generation of African maritime professionals. The MoU includes cooperation on certification standards and specialised training, which could improve employability and increase Africa’s share of the global maritime workforce.
Ship Registration and Commercial Competitiveness
Many large maritime states operate what are known as “open registries”, allowing ship owners from any country to register their vessels under that nation’s flag. These systems are designed to simplify the admin process, provide regulatory frameworks, and ensure compliance with international conventions. Flag states that maintain strong compliance records with international maritime conventions are often preferred because they reduce operational risks and simplify inspections at foreign ports. Liberia established its maritime programme in 1958 with support from the United States and has since developed one of the world’s largest ship registries, surpassing Panama in fleet size. For emerging maritime nations such as Tanzania, partnerships with established registries can help strengthen administrative capacity while positioning their maritime sectors for future growth.
Through the MoU, Tanzanian shipowners may benefit from internationally recognised registration standards and technical expertise. Improved regulatory clarity and streamlined procedures could encourage greater use of African flags. Over the longer term, the partnership may support the development of regional ship registration hubs, strengthening Africa’s presence in global shipping markets and attracting additional maritime investment.
Trade, Growth, and Regional Integration
Tanzania occupies a strategic position in East Africa’s maritime trade network. The Port of Dar es Salaam serves not only Tanzania but also several landlocked countries, including Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the World Bank, improvements in port governance and logistics efficiency in Dar es Salaam can help reduce shipping costs, which remain a significant barrier to intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). According to 2025 World Bank data, Tanzania’s GDP is approximately $85 billion, driven primarily by agriculture and manufacturing, while Liberia’s $4 billion economy relies heavily on mining and maritime services. Both countries depend on efficient access to global markets, according to a recent UNCTAD report, “strengthening maritime governance is essential for Africa to benefit fully from global trade”.
Therefore, strengthening maritime regulation and workforce capacity could have wider economic benefits beyond Tanzania’s borders. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects economic growth of 6.2 percent for Tanzania and 5.4 percent for Liberia in 2026. Strengthened maritime systems could support these projections by lowering export costs and improving trade efficiency. Liberia’s $400 million port expansion project, launched in 2025, alongside Tanzania’s Vision 2050 development framework, underscores the strategic importance both countries place on maritime infrastructure and regional trade connectivity.
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
Maritime development in Africa is increasingly aligned with global sustainability objectives. Liberia has ratified the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which entered into force on 26 June 2025, strengthening its regulatory framework for responsible ship recycling.
Tanzania, on its own, continues to address marine pollution and illegal fishing and hosts ocean governance forums that bring together policymakers and industry stakeholders. These efforts align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
A Continental Model?
The Liberia–Tanzania partnership reflects a broader shift toward South–South cooperation in maritime governance. By combining Liberia’s regulatory expertise with Tanzania’s workforce development ambitions, the agreement aims to strengthen institutional capacity and expand economic opportunities across the continent.
The agreement also reflects a broader shift towards greater cooperation between African maritime states. As global shipping routes evolve and competition for port infrastructure increases, many African governments are seeking ways to strengthen regional partnerships. Improved maritime governance may help countries capture more value from shipping services, port logistics, and maritime employment.
Its long-term impact will depend on effective implementation. Nevertheless, the MoU signals a growing recognition that Africa’s maritime future depends not only on physical infrastructure, but also on governance, skills development, and sustainability. If successful, the Liberia-Tanzania partnership could serve as a model for similar agreements across the continent.
