African Shipowners Unveil Cadetship Programme to Tackle Skills Shortage

The African Shipowners Association (ASA) has announced plans to roll out a continent-wide cadetship and crew development programme aimed at addressing the growing shortage of skilled maritime professionals across Africa.

Speaking in Lagos, the President of ASA (Nigeria Chapter), Captain Ladi Olubowale, said the initiative will connect African cadets to ships through a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, providing them with the essential sea-time experience required for certification and career advancement.

“No fleet can grow without capable human resources,” Olubowale stated. “ASA recognises that skills development is the backbone of fleet expansion. This programme is designed to create a sustainable human capital pipeline for Africa’s future fleets.”

According to him, several training initiatives are already being developed under ASA member companies to strengthen capacity at technical, operational, and managerial levels.

“We aim to establish centres of excellence for maritime operations, fleet management, and green shipping technologies — transforming Africa’s maritime workforce into globally competitive professionals,” he added.

Olubowale described the next five years as a defining moment for African shipowners, citing opportunities in coastal logistics, ferry expansion under AfCFTA, green energy corridors, ship repair and retrofitting, and intra-African trade facilitation.

He emphasised that ASA’s long-term vision is to ensure African shipowners are financially empowered, technologically equipped, and operationally capable of driving growth across the continent’s maritime sector.

“The future of African shipping is not a distant dream,” he said. “It is already unfolding — shaped by the courage and collaboration of African shipowners determined to own their seas and drive their prosperity.”

The move comes amid continued concerns over the shortage of skilled maritime workers in Africa, which has constrained the sector’s growth and competitiveness.

A recent report by the Sea Empowerment Research Center highlighted the challenges of poor investment, insecurity, and inefficiency within Nigeria’s maritime industry, despite efforts by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to improve safety and port operations.

The African Shipowners Association, a continental body representing indigenous maritime stakeholders, works closely with the African Union, regional economic communities, and national maritime administrations to strengthen policy frameworks that promote local participation, fleet ownership, and professional development in the shipping industry.