The National Port Authority (NPA) is participating in a major continental workshop aimed at strengthening Africa’s port systems through improved data and connectivity.
The five-day Data Validation Workshop of the African Ports Connectivity Portal Project (APC-PP), hosted in Abidjan from March 23–27, has brought together port authorities and maritime stakeholders from across Africa to refine and standardize port data critical for investment and planning.
Leading Liberia’s delegation is Ambassador R. Van Ross, NPA Executive Director for Planning, Research, and Economic Affairs. He is accompanied by Ms. Esther K. Nmah, Executive Director for Port States Coordination; Mr. Chris K. Larmin, Research Manager; and Mr. Alfred T. Kamara, Planning Manager representing APM Terminals Liberia.
The APC-PP initiative, launched in September 2025 by the African Development Bank, seeks to address long-standing gaps in reliable and comparable port data across Africa.
At the workshop, delegates are validating datasets, aligning survey tools with a proposed Connectivity Index, and agreeing on Key Performance Indicators and standardized definitions to support cross-border benchmarking. Discussions are also focused on governance frameworks for data collection, sharing, and protection, with particular attention to persistent gaps in port records.
Technical contributions from global institutions including UNCTAD, World Bank, and UN Comtrade are helping to ensure the platform meets international standards.
NPA officials say their participation underscores Liberia’s commitment to enhancing port competitiveness and contributing to a unified, data-driven future for Africa’s maritime sector.
