—-As NPA Secures Position Among Elite West & Central African Ports
IPNEWS: The National Port Authority (NPA) of Liberia has been officially selected to participate in SCOPE Africa, a major European Union–funded initiative aimed at strengthening safety, security, and operational efficiency across key ports in West and Central Africa.
The €12 million program, launched in Lomé and implemented by Expertise France and Enabel, encompasses ten ports from nine countries, focusing on building resilient, secure, and well-governed maritime corridors. Liberia’s inclusion comes through its active engagement in the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).
NPA Deputy Managing Director for Administration Hon. James R. Benard described Liberia’s acceptance as “a strategic breakthrough that validates the sweeping reforms underway across the Freeport of Monrovia and our outstation ports.” He added that SCOPE Africa will unlock new technical assistance and security enhancements that will enable Liberia to meet international standards and support the demands of modern global trade.
SCOPE Africa responds to rising maritime threats across the continent including criminal networks, terrorism, industrial risks, and climate pressures by delivering targeted improvements in:
– Compliance with global port safety and security standards
– Crisis response and risk management systems
– Professional training and workforce development, especially for women and youth
– Cooperation between port authorities and national governments
Support to regional platforms such as PMAWCA
For Liberia, the program will provide expanded access to specialized training, upgraded governance frameworks, and comprehensive assessments to enhance national port security.
Advancing Liberia’s Readiness Under AfCFTA
By joining this EU-backed initiative, Liberia strengthens its capacity to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhancing competitiveness, logistical readiness, and resilience to emerging threats. The program complements continental maritime security efforts such as SEACOP, GoGIN, SAFE SEAS, and EnMAR.
Liberia’s selection into SCOPE Africa underscores growing international confidence in the NPA’s reform agenda. PMAWCA has praised Liberia for its commitment to improving port governance, safety, and professionalism.
Over the next three years, Liberia will engage in technical missions, security audits, training programs, and peer-to-peer collaboration with leading ports across the region. These activities are expected to accelerate Liberia’s progress toward becoming a resilient and competitive maritime hub.
