In a compelling call to action, Mr. Freedom Force, the senior special assistant (SSA) on Marine and Blue Economy to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has sounded the alarm on Africa’s staggering loss of maritime wealth, estimating a staggering $22.9 trillion hemorrhage over the past 25 years.
Writing on X under the handle @FreedomForce, the maritime expert has urged African nations to seize control of their seas to secure their economic future, drawing inspiration from global success stories like South Korea and Singapore.
Mr. Force’s analysis, detailed in a series of posts dated July 10, 2025, reveals that 90% of Africa’s trade encompassing critical commodities such as food and fuel relies on foreign-owned shipping fleets.
This dependency, he argues, has cost the continent dearly, with billions lost annually due to foreign-controlled vessels, dilapidated ports, and rampant illegal fishing.
By 2050, the SSA warns, this economic leakage could escalate to a crippling $1.7 trillion per year, equivalent to 5.7% of Africa’s projected $30 trillion GDP.
Breaking down the losses, Mr. Force highlighted specific figures: $891 billion in freight revenue siphoned by foreign vessel owners, $1.2 trillion squandered due to inefficient ports that stifle trade, and $61.6 billion drained by illegal fishing operations plundering African waters.
“This isn’t just about numbers,” he emphasized. “It’s our jobs, our schools, our hospitals, and our future slipping away while we watch.”
Yet, the SSA remains optimistic, pointing to transformative examples from Asia. South Korea, starting from scratch in the 1970s, built a global shipbuilding empire within three decades, overtaking Japan by 2000 to become a maritime powerhouse.
Similarly, Singapore transformed its modest port into a world-class hub, leveraging its strategic location and investment in infrastructure.
“Africa can do this!” Mr. Force declared, citing the continent’s youthful population, strategic coastlines spanning over 30,000 kilometers, and untapped potential as key assets.
To reverse the tide, the SSA proposed an ambitious Pan-African Maritime Accord (PAMA), a bold initiative mandating that 50% of shipping operations be African-owned by 2035.
The plan includes a $20 billion investment to modernize ports and build indigenous fleets, with reparations tied to economic empowerment.
“We must train our people, fix our ports, and build our fleets,” he urged. “If we don’t, we’re handing over our wealth, our power, our dreams.”
The call aligns with broader continental efforts, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which projects a 62% growth in maritime freight.
Recent UNCTAD reports underscore the vulnerability of African trade routes, disruptions like those in the Suez Canal have already impacted perishable goods in East Africa, while highlighting opportunities for nations like Nigeria, with its extensive coastline, to capitalize on rerouting trends.
Mr. Force concluded with a rallying cry: “Let’s stop the bleeding. Let’s own our seas, our trade, our future. We can’t wait another day.”
For a deeper dive into his analysis, readers are directed to the linked document, promising a comprehensive insight into the situation.
As Nigeria, with its burgeoning blue economy potential, watches closely, the SSA’s vision could spark a new chapter in the continent’s economic sovereignty. The question remains: will African leaders heed this urgent call to action?
