Senegal launches national effort to drive maritime decarbonization
Representatives from government, industry, academia and civil society gathered in Dakar last week to begin shaping Senegal’s transition towards a more sustainable maritime sector through the development of a National Action Plan. The initiative was officially launched by the Agence Nationale des Affaires Maritimes (ANAM), through a national stakeholder workshop jointly delivered with the International Maritime Organization’s GreenVoyage2050 Programme and MTCC Africa, with support provided through the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
Director General of ANAM, Mr. Bécaye Diop, underlined the urgency of coordinated action:
‘As Senegal’s maritime sector continues to grow, with developments in offshore oil and gas, port infrastructure and maritime transport, it is essential that we manage this growth sustainably. The National Action Plan will provide a structured and integrated approach to reducing emissions while supporting economic development.’
Participants highlighted the importance of establishing an inclusive governance framework to ensure strong coordination across ministries, industry stakeholders, and partners. They highlighted the importance of mobilizing financial resources to support renewable energy deployment, port infrastructure, and alternative fuels, while leveraging existing gas developments to reduce investment risks. Strengthening national capacities through targeted training, technology transfer, and the development of specialized institutions was also identified as critical to enable effective implementation.
Mr. Eru Takem, Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa, Francophone Countries, of the IMO, highlighted the broader significance for the region:
‘Senegal’s approach demonstrates growing momentum in West Africa towards maritime decarbonization, with a strong focus on collaboration, investment and long-term sustainability.’
The workshop also served as a platform to promote dialogue across sectors and identify solutions tailored to Senegal’s national and regional context, including the need for investment in infrastructure and the development of local expertise.
Looking ahead, Senegal will proceed with stakeholder consultations and initiate a baseline assessment to establish an emissions profile to inform the development of its National Action Plan.
The GreenVoyage2050 team and ANAM representatives also engaged with students during visits to Lycée Lamine Gueye and Institution Notre-Dame in Dakar, reaching over 120 students. The sessions focused on opportunities in the maritime sector, with particular emphasis on gender diversity and the emerging jobs linked to the maritime energy transition. Students were encouraged to explore careers in a sector that is rapidly evolving and offering new pathways for both women and men.
GreenVoyage2050 Programme
GreenVoyage2050 is the International Maritime Organization’s flagship technical cooperation programme supporting developing countries in turning the ambitions of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy into practical action.
Now in its second phase (2024–2030), the programme supports countries through technical assistance, policy development, capacity-building and pilot initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping and advancing maritime decarbonization. GreenVoyage2050 is funded by the Governments of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.
