By: Ethio negari

Ethiopia is hosting the landmark Africa Maritime Conference under the theme “Africa as the Next Global Crewing Frontier,” highlighting the continent’s growing investment and ambition in maritime development.

The three-day conference, which runs from October 14–16, 2025, in Addis Ababa, brings together ministers, regulators, ship management executives, maritime academies, and development partners.

The event aims to align vision, policy, and partnership to strengthen Africa’s role as a reliable and competitive contributor to the global maritime economy.

According to Frans Joubert, Chair of the Africa Maritime Conference and Chief Executive Officer of YCF Manning Ltd, “Africa’s greatest maritime resource is its people. This conference is about transforming potential into opportunity—building systems that allow African seafarers to participate confidently and competitively in the global market.”

Joubert emphasized that out of 1.9 million seafarers worldwide, African representation accounts for only 4%, underscoring the need for greater inclusion and investment in maritime education and training.

He added that the conference serves as “a collective voice for global seafarers,” promoting collaboration, skills development, and sustainable employment for African professionals in the sector.

Structured to foster dialogue between industry leaders, academia, and policymakers, the conference is designed to move from shared vision-setting to practical policy and governance discussions.

It is hosted by YCF Manning Ltd in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Maritime Authority, marking a milestone in Africa’s collective effort to build a modern, competitive, and inclusive maritime workforce.

Beyond the conference, maritime issues have recently gained renewed political significance in Ethiopia. As a landlocked country since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, Ethiopia has been vocal about regaining access to the Red Sea.

During the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that losing sea access over three decades ago was “a historical mistake that must be corrected.”

The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) also recently described Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access as a “legitimate national right,” asserting that the country is ready to defend its interests.

Ethiopian officials have accused regional powers of attempting to marginalize Ethiopia’s influence in the Red Sea region, while Eritrean officials have warned that any aggressive move could provoke regional instability.

Eritrea’s Ministry of Information has said that it remains open to negotiations based on “international principles and mutual respect for sovereignty.”

As the Africa Maritime Conference unfolds in Addis Ababa, it comes at a time when maritime cooperation and regional diplomacy are becoming increasingly intertwined.

For Ethiopia, the event offers not only an opportunity to strengthen its maritime partnerships but also a platform to advocate for its broader vision of regional integration and access to the sea.