The Dakar Workshop on Measures for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, held from 4–6 August 2025, brought together more than 100 participants from 25 African IMO Member States, regional maritime organisations, international partners, and private sector stakeholders.
Over three days, the workshop advanced Africa’s collective understanding of the IMO 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, identified continental priorities, and adopted a series of resolutions to guide Africa’s engagement at upcoming IMO negotiations.
Day 1 focused on setting the stage for Africa’s maritime decarbonization. Presentations highlighted the urgency of ratifying MARPOL Annex VI, the opportunities and risks of the IMO Net Zero Framework, the critical role of maritime administrations, and the private sector’s leadership through the African Shipowners Association. Panel discussions emphasised the need for unified African action and stronger representation in IMO processes.
Day 2 explored the financing and socio-economic dimensions of shipping decarbonization. Panels examined principles guiding the use of funds from the IMO GHG Strategy, the impacts of decarbonization on food security and trade, and the role of capacity building. Presentations on negotiation skills, port digitalisation, and equitable access to the Green Climate Fund reinforced the need for evidence-based advocacy. Two interactive Mentimeter sessions and stakeholder surveys captured participants’ views, revealing strong hopes for unity and development, as well as deep concerns about injustice, inequity, and infrastructure gaps. Most respondents (72%) judged African ports as unprepared for clean vessels, with 50% prioritizing port infrastructure support as the top negotiation demand.
Day 3 was dedicated to reviewing the workshop proceedings and adopting resolutions. Chaired by Dr Harry Conway, discussions focused on unity and coordination, data-driven advocacy, capacity building, funding, and implementation. Delegates adopted 15 resolutions, including urgent calls to ratify MARPOL Annex VI, strengthen African representation at the IMO, define a Just and Equitable Transition (JET), leverage the Green Climate Fund, align policies with the AfCFTA, prioritise food security analysis, and accelerate port digitalisation.
Key Outcomes of the Dakar Workshop:
- Ratification of MARPOL Annex VI is recognised as urgent for Africa’s engagement with the IMO Net Zero Framework.
- Finance, infrastructure, capacity building, and regional coordination are identified as the four pillars of Africa’s maritime decarbonization strategy.
- Agreement to pursue a common African definition of JET for submission to MEPC 84.
- Commitment to strengthening negotiation skills, ensuring fair participation of shipowners and private sector actors, and integrating data-driven advocacy.
- Recognition that, without urgent investment in infrastructure, Africa risks exclusion from future global shipping networks.
The Dakar Workshop demonstrated Africa’s determination to transform dialogue into action. The resolutions provide a roadmap for immediate, medium-term, and long-term steps, ensuring Africa’s maritime sector can actively participate in and benefit from the global transition to low- and zero-carbon shipping.
