The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, received a courtesy visit from the Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), His Excellency Kassim Mpaata, at the SADC Secretariat.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the two institutions to exchange views on areas of mutual interest, with discussions focusing on strengthening institutional cooperation, fostering strategic partnerships and advancing regional integration. The engagement further recognised the shared membership and complementary mandates of MOESNA and SADC, providing an opportunity to explore areas of collaboration and the efficient utilisation of regional resources. Several SADC Member States, including the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia who are founding members, as well as Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi, are members of MOESNA, while Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa are in the process of formalising their membership.
Discussions centred on key initiatives with potential to advance the
regionโs maritime transport and trade agenda, including the Regional Maritime Transport Policy, a proposed establishment of a Regional Maritime University, and the development of a Regional Shipping Lines Framework supported by the Regional Maritime Cabotage Protocol. The discussions underscored the strategic importance of maritime transport to regional trade, noting that approximately 80 per cent of goods traded globally by volume are transported by sea.
The two institutions also explored opportunities to strengthen the participation of SADC Member States in maritime shipping operations and reduce reliance on international shipping operators by promoting greater regional capacity and cooperation. In this regard, MOESNA highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting regional cabotage and strengthening maritime skills within the region through the proposed Regional Maritime University.
The engagement further noted ongoing efforts to develop a Memorandum of Understanding between MOESNA and SADC, to provide a framework for structured collaboration across areas of mutual interest. Both parties acknowledged the significant opportunities for cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging their respective mandates, expertise and resources to support a more efficient, safe, sustainable and competitive maritime transport sector in the region.
