The European Union (EU) and its partners have committed €12 million to enhance the safety, security, and operational performance of sea ports in Lagos and other West and Central African countries under the Securing Corridors, Ports and Exchanges (SCOPE) Africa project.
Mr. Modestus Chukwulaka, Press and Information Officer for the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the funding, spanning four years, will be implemented by Expertise France and Enabel.
He added that the initiative targets key ports along priority land and sea corridors identified by the African Union and the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
The beneficiary ports include Lagos (Nigeria), Lomé (Togo), Douala and Kribi (Cameroon), Praia (Cape Verde), Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Libreville (Gabon), Monrovia (Liberia), and Dakar (Senegal).
Chukwulaka noted that the project seeks to strengthen compliance with international standards, enhance crisis management capacities, and professionalise port stakeholders through training and technical support.
The launch seminar in Lomé brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from ports, regional organisations, technical partners, and the private sector.
Delegates participated in panel discussions, practical demonstrations, and a technical visit to the Autonomous Port of Lomé to observe best practices in port safety and security.
The event also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SCOPE Africa and the Regional Maritime University of Accra, aimed at fostering collaboration in maritime training and professional development.
“At the end of the seminar, all participants reaffirmed their commitment to work jointly within the framework of SCOPE Africa to enhance port safety,” Chukwulaka said.
The project is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and security across the region’s major maritime gateways.
