(Business in Cameroon) – The African Union (AU) announced Monday that Cameroon has signed the revised African Charter on Maritime Transport. The institution praised Cameroon for becoming the latest country to sign the charter, a move it said signals a “growing momentum and commitment” among AU member states.
Cameroon, however, must still deposit its instruments of ratification for its membership to become fully effective. The charter entered into force on August 14 after Uganda became the 15th country to deposit its ratification.
Adopted in 2010, the revised charter replaces the previous text, which had been in effect since 1993. The revision was deemed necessary to address contemporary challenges facing maritime transport on the continent. The new charter aims to align African trade with the AU’s Agenda 2063, and particularly with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), of which Cameroon is a member.
The new legal framework emphasizes the fight against piracy, maritime terrorism, smuggling, and pollution. It also introduces the concept of multimodal corridors designed to efficiently connect seaports to landlocked countries and create a better environment for public and private investment.
For Cameroon, joining the charter is a strategic opportunity. With its two main ports, Douala and Kribi, which serve a large part of Central Africa, the country can strengthen its role as a regional hub. The goal is to leverage this new framework to boost maritime trade, improve logistical competitiveness, and capture a larger share of intra-African trade flows.
Ludovic Amara
