The European Union (EU) officially launched the SCOPE Africa program in Lomé. This regional initiative, Securing Corridors, Ports and Exchanges in Western and Central Africa, provides 12 million euros (around 7.87 billion CFA francs) and is implemented by Expertise France and Enabel. The program aims to improve safety, security, and performance in ten ports across nine West and Central African countries.
As part of the Global Gateway strategy, SCOPE Africa tackles a key challenge: supporting the development of African ports that are both safe and resilient.
Africa is becoming a significant maritime player. With maritime trade growing about 7% annually and nearly 90% of the continent’s trade moving through its waters and ports, the efficiency of these platforms plays a crucial role in regional economic growth.
Despite this progress, ports face increasing challenges:
• Criminal and terrorist threats: Ports serve as strategic points exploited by criminal networks for illicit trade, including goods, drugs, and weapons, while regional instability raises the risk of terrorist attacks.
• Industrial risks: Events like the 2020 Beirut port explosion show how vulnerable port infrastructures can be to industrial accidents.
• Environmental and climate pressure: Ports experience the direct effects of climate change, which demands stronger resilience.
To keep transport corridors flowing and supply landlocked countries, ports must strengthen governance and build a lasting culture of safety and security.
SCOPE Africa focuses on three main goals: improving compliance with international safety and security standards while integrating environmental resilience, enhancing the capacity of ports to prevent and respond to incidents, and strengthening regional structures and dialogue to support transport corridor development.
The program relies on five main action pillars:
• Compliance with international standards: Ports will follow safety and security standards more closely to facilitate smoother trade.
• Improved risk management: Ports will enhance crisis response and management to better handle incidents.
• Training and inclusion: Port personnel will receive professional training, with particular attention to inclusion and gender.
• Enhanced regional cooperation: Port authorities and states will engage in more dialogue and exchange.
• Support to regional platforms: Regional structures like the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) will receive stronger support.
SCOPE Africa complements existing maritime security initiatives in the region, such as SEACOP, GoGIN, SAFE SEAS, and EnMAR. The program’s main focus goes beyond training and procedures. It aims to establish a sustainable and shared culture of security that becomes part of daily port operations, ensuring resilience against institutional changes and evolving threats.
Ultimately, SCOPE Africa will help create a more efficient, secure, and competitive intra-African logistics system. This progress is essential for the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and for strengthening the continent’s autonomy.
source: maritimafrica.com
