Unpacking AIMS 2050, the African Integrated Maritime Strategy will be unpacked at the inaugural Africa Maritime Indaba taking place at the IDC conference centre in Sandton, Johannesburg on 24 and 25 October 2013.

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, is a keynote speaker at the Indaba and will introduce and discuss AIMS 2050, the African Integrated Maritime Strategy. Dr Dlamini-Zuma is a strong proponent of the African maritime sector and an advocate for its growth and development. She has been instrumental in driving AIMS 2050, which provides the foundation for public and private maritime policy and practice across Africa.

The African Maritime Indaba will provide the first open forum to unpack, understand and interrogate AIMS 2050 and bring maritime priorities to the fore. Dr Dlamini-Zuma’s session will cover the key elements of AIMS 2050 as well as the precepts of the African Maritime Transport Charter. The discussion will explore their implications on regional and country-level maritime trade and the progress towards these documents’ ideals.

The two-day Indaba will host nine panel discussions in total and, including Dr Dlamini-Zuma’s panel on AIMS 2050, will cover Africa’s blue or maritime economy, the development of ship ownership, the case for industrialisation, maritime port reformation, maritime investment funding, human capacity development and the skills gaps in the African maritime sector, challenges and opportunities in gaining access to and transporting cargo, and maritime infrastructure environments in Africa.

The conference will provide a platform for African business and public sector leaders to share best practice insights and network with global industry experts and maritime partners, thought-leaders, decision-makers and dignitaries. Guests to Africa Maritime Indaba 2013 will include Dipuo Peters, South African Minister of Transport, Commander Tsietsi Mokhele, CEO of the South African Maritime and Safety Authority (SAMSA),   Robert Orya, CEO NEXIM Bank (Nigeria), Tidiane Traore, CEO Knowledge Transfer Associates (Ghana), Caleb Tamfu, MD Andron Engineering (Cameroon), Charles Kie, Group Corporate Bank Head Ecobank, Ebrima Faal, Regional Director for African Markets African Development Bank, Patrick Opoku-Darkwa, Department of Transport Africa Development Bank (Tunisia), David Bate, Group Chief Executive Brookwood Capital, Vusi Khumalo, Transnet National Ports Authority and Roeland van de Geer, EU Ambassador.

According to Ipeleng Selele, CEO of the Khumo Group, which is organising Africa Maritime Indaba 2013 with the support of SAMSA and other key partners, Africa’s maritime industry is at a turning point. “Africa’s maritime sector, which has long been neglected and overlooked, is being recognised as a key strategic driver of increased African trade and economic development both directly and indirectly, as well as an engine for growth, industry transformation, and job and business creation.”