About AMSSA | AMSSA

Historical Background

of AMSSA

The African Maritime Safety and Security Agency (AMSSA) was conceived in response to the growing need for a coordinated, continent-wide approach to maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in Africa. The idea for AMSSA was first formally discussed during the 3rd Assembly of the ICHCA Canaries-Africa Regional Charter Ports conference, held in Accra, Ghana, on 10–11 December 2007. This gathering brought together key maritime stakeholders from across Africa to address the increasing challenges posed by maritime threats, accidents, and the need for harmonized safety standards.

AMSSA was officially established with Mr Magnus Addico the Secretary General of MOWCA in 2007, marking a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s maritime governance and capacity. Its creation aligned with the African Union’s broader vision for integrated maritime strategy and regional cooperation, as outlined in the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIM Strategy). Since its inception, AMSSA has aimed to provide scientific, technical, and intelligence support to African Member States and maritime stakeholders, focusing on the safe, secure, and environmentally responsible movement of maritime transport and the prevention of loss of life at sea.

AMSSA’s development reflects Africa’s recognition of the strategic importance of its vast maritime domain, the need for robust crisis management and surveillance systems, and the value of harmonized training and operational protocols across the continent. Over the years, AMSSA has worked to advance these goals by fostering partnerships, supporting capacity building, and promoting best practices in maritime safety and security.

AMSSA, President
Mr Magnus Addico

Strategic Direction

AMSSA VISION STATEMENT

African Maritime Safety and Security Agency (AMSSA)

Vision

To provide a robust scientific and intelligence platform for African Member States and maritime stakeholders, dedicated to ensuring the safe, secure, and environmentally responsible movement of maritime transport—while prioritising the prevention of the loss of human life at sea.

Mission

AMSSA will lead the establishment and coordination of collaborative projects focused on African maritime safety, security, the protection of the marine environment, and the development of a sustainable Blue Economy. Through the development and integration of associated networks, AMSSA will:

Promote and operationalise the African Maritime Transport Charter, aligning initiatives with its strategic goals and African Union frameworks.
Coordinate and implement integrated sub-projects addressing key priorities in maritime safety, maritime security, marine environmental protection, and climate resilience.
Advance projects from concept to implementation, transitioning initiatives from embryonic stages through pilot phases to operational delivery.
Strengthen institutional and human capacity, offering technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and training for African maritime stakeholders.
Facilitate multilateral stakeholder engagement, enhancing regional cooperation and partnership with governments, industry, academia, and civil society.

Strategic Pillars

1. Maritime Safety and Security

Enhance systems and mutual cooperation to prevent maritime accidents, combat illegal activities at sea (e.g., piracy, trafficking), and promote compliance with international maritime conventions.

2. Marine Environmental Protection

Coordinate responses to marine pollution, advocate sustainable ocean practices, and ensure alignment with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and African Union environmental commitments.

3. Blue Economy Development

Support a sustainable Blue Economy that fosters inclusive economic growth, job creation, and healthy marine ecosystems.
Promote maritime sectors such as shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, renewable energy, and port services as key levers for Africa’s development.
Ensure equitable access and benefit-sharing for coastal and island communities, integrating social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

4. Climate Change Resilience

Address major climate change challenges facing Africa’s maritime and coastal environments, including sea-level rise, warming oceans, coastal erosion, and increased extreme weather events.
Mainstream climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction into maritime policies, planning, and infrastructure development.
Support marine scientific research, ocean observation networks, and regional early warning systems to strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate change impacts.

5. Innovation, Collaboration, and Capacity Development

Promote the use of advanced technologies (e.g., satellite monitoring, AI, data-sharing platforms) to improve maritime domain awareness and environmental management.
Build institutional frameworks that support regional collaboration and cohesive action across the African continent.
Empower local stakeholders with tools, training, and knowledge to actively engage in safeguarding Africa’s maritime domain.

Implementation Approach

AMSSA will:

Identify priority areas and emerging challenges in the African maritime space through evidence-based analysis and stakeholder consultation.
Mobilise resources and technical expertise to initiate, manage, and scale projects that contribute to Africa’s maritime vision.
Establish measurable targets, track progress, and evaluate outcomes to ensure transparency, impact, and continuous improvement.
Ensure coherence with global frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water)—the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS 2050), the Paris Agreement, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

This formalised and integrated statement presents AMSSA as a forward-looking and action-oriented institution that harnesses maritime safety and security, environmental protection, Blue Economy advancement, and climate resilience to support the aspirations of African nations and their people.

The Mission of the African Maritime Safety and Security:

To assist the achievement of African Continental Sustainable Development, through:

´the provision of scientific and intelligence assistance to African Member States and other Maritime Stakeholders on matters relating to the safe, secure and clean movement of maritime transport, environmental protection, blue economic development, and the prevention of the loss of human lives at sea´

01

Advance a maritime safety and security scientific, technical & intelligence platform for policy makers and MTS stakeholders

03

Create a new African scientific and technical platform for African maritime integrated crisis security research systems that will also test the feasibility and promote LRIT systems as well as joint surveillance systems such as Safeseanet, Cleanseanet

05

Accelerate innovative opportunities aimed at harmonised training and pan African validated certification processess, for Africa maritime administrations and national ports authorities

07

Contribute to the AU Blue Economy strategy, supporting member states to implement their national blue economy roadmaps.

02

Develop a proactive African (scientific and technical) maritime integrated safety, security and environmental protection strategic plan for future development

04

Design and develop feasibility and needs analysis for the support of Regional Information/Sharing and Centres, National maritime crisis command centres, and shore-based surveillance and security systems,

06

Unlock private investment and global funding financial Mechanisms systems aimed at improving critical infrastructure and advancing technology.

08

Improve the marine environment, supporting green port measures for member states and accelerating progress for the continental achievement of sustainable development goals.