The African Strategic Summit on Shipping Decarbonisation, held in Abuja, Nigeria, in March 2025, was one of the most significant milestones of LEAP Phase II. Over two days, the Summit created an unprecedented space for Africa’s maritime policymakers, negotiators, and industry leaders to come together and lay the foundation for a more unified continental position on shipping decarbonisation.

The Summit was an important component of the Leading Effectively African Participation Project initiated by the University College of London (UCL) Energy Institute, the Bartlett School of Energy, Environment and Resources.

At a time when the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is accelerating the global transition to net-zero shipping, the Abuja Summit provided African states with the tools, evidence, and networks to make their voices not only present but persuasive in negotiations. The gathering combined technical presentations, panel discussions, negotiation training, and interactive learning, creating a rare blend of high-level strategy and hands-on capacity building. More importantly, it fostered a spirit of continental unity, embedding justice and equity as guiding principles for Africa’s maritime transition.