Sénégal and Guinea-bissau boost maritime transport cooperation
The Sénégal and Guinée-Bissau have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation in maritime transport and blue economy initiatives, as highlighted during the recent International Forum on Sustainable Maritime Transport and Logistics in Dakar.
A high-level delegation from Guinée-Bissau, led by Minister of Transports, Telecommunications and Digital Economy Florentino Mendes Pereira, joined heads of state, maritime authorities, industry experts and development partners to address critical challenges in maritime governance, port logistics and regional integration.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Sénégal, opened the event and praised Guinée-Bissau’s participation as a testament to the strength of brotherly ties between the two nations. He emphasized the strategic importance of joint efforts to transform the blue economy into a sustainable growth engine for West Africa.
For Guinée-Bissau, the forum represented a key milestone in its broader agenda to upgrade port and maritime infrastructure, enhance security across the Gulf of Guinea and foster deeper regional partnerships that drive economic progress.
key discussions and outcomes from the forum
Over two days of intensive dialogue, participants explored a range of priorities, including:
- Modernizing coastal shipping services to improve regional connectivity
- Expanding and upgrading port infrastructure to meet growing trade demands
- Strengthening the domestic shipbuilding industry to reduce dependency on foreign vessels
- Accelerating the green transition in maritime transport to reduce carbon emissions
- Driving digital transformation across logistics and port operations through smart technologies
The exchanges also covered human capital development, scientific research, innovation and innovative financing models, with a strong focus on public-private partnerships to unlock investment potential in the maritime sector.
On the sidelines of the main sessions, an international exhibition and business networking events provided a platform for public and private stakeholders to forge new alliances and identify investment opportunities in maritime transport and logistics.
The Guinée-Bissau delegation included Gualdino Afonso Té, President of the Maritime and Port Institute of Guinée-Bissau, and Félix Nandungue, Director-General of the Ports Administration of Guinée-Bissau, both instrumental in shaping the country’s maritime strategy.
The forum aligns with Sénégal’s Vision 2050 and its National Development Strategy 2025–2029, both designed to position the country as a leading maritime and logistics hub in West Africa while fostering stronger regional cooperation in the blue economy.
