Amid calls to revive domestic shipbuilding, Nigeria emerged as Africa’s top importer of passenger ships, vessels and ferry-boats in 2024, according to a new market intelligence report by IndexBox.
The report revealed that Nigeria’s total value of imports reached $26 million, accounting for 25 per cent of the continent’s entire vessel import bill.
Also, Nigeria paid an average of $1.7 million per unit of vessel, the highest across the continent.
On the export front, the report stated that Nigeria did not feature among the continent’s major players in 2024.
According to the report, African export total value rose to $54 million as countries such as South Africa, Liberia, and Egypt dominated the export landscape, both in volume and value.
This, experts said, should spur local shipbuilding and support services in Nigeria to grow the economy and make the country a force in vessel construction like China.
The Dean of Faculty at City University, Cambodia, Prof. Alfred Oniye, said Africa holds significant potential for the development of a robust shipbuilding industry, which could catalyse economic growth across the continent.
According to him, the growth of the shipbuilding sector can generate numerous employment opportunities for seafarers and other maritime professionals, while stimulating local industries such as steel production, electronics and engineering, and contributing to a more diversified economy.
Oniye emphasised that the advancement of the shipbuilding industry would also strengthen maritime education and training in Nigeria and Africa at large, equipping individuals with the technical skills needed to thrive in the field.
He said the expansion of shipbuilding means more vessels to operate for seafarers, which will lead to increased demand for captains, deck officers and marine crews, who are essential to the safe and efficient operation of ships.
Oniye listed a variety of job opportunities within the sector, including naval architects who design seaworthy vessels to meet specific requirements; marine engineers who oversee construction and ensure all systems function properly; welders and fabricators who are responsible for crafting the ship’s structure; and electricians who install and maintain electrical systems on board.
Oniye pointed out that the benefits of the shipbuilding industry extend beyond vessel construction, as it boosts related sectors such as port management, logistics and maritime law.
These, he said, create employment for port operators who manage daily port operations; logistics coordinators who facilitate the smooth transit of goods; and maritime lawyers who specialise in regulatory frameworks and contracts related to shipping.
“As Africa sails forward in developing its shipbuilding capabilities, it charts a course toward a prosperous future for its people and its economy,” he concluded.
The Head of Research at the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), Eugene Nweke, urged the Federal Government to revive the nation’s steel industry to boost shipbuilding, a critical component of the broader blue economy.
Nweke said this would not only enhance industrial output but would also create high-value jobs and stimulate technological innovation to sustain the 90 per cent revenue growth of the marine and blue economy sector.
