The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has secured a landmark US$1.3 million scholarship grant from the Government of Indonesia to support maritime training for 96 beneficiaries from its member states. The initiative aims to strengthen regional maritime expertise and improve compliance with international standards across the maritime sector.
The agreement, confirmed by MOWCA Secretary-General Dr. Paul Adalikwu following formal endorsement by Indonesian authorities, signals a growing commitment to enhancing maritime capacity within West and Central Africa. The collaboration is positioned as a strategic effort to improve the quality of maritime education, certification, and operational competence across the region.
The scholarship funding will be utilized across two specialized training programmes designed to address priority needs in maritime human capital development:
- Training of Trainers (TOT) — based on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Course 6.09, this programme aims to develop qualified maritime instructors capable of delivering high-standard maritime education within member states.
- Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers — aligned with IMO Model Course 3.12, this programme targets personnel from maritime administrations and training institutions responsible for seafarer certification and onboard competency assessments.
To ensure broad participation, the training structure has been carefully organized. The 96 scholarship positions will be implemented in four batches of 24 participants each. Tentative schedules for 2025 include:
- TOT (IMO 6.09): Batch 1 from 11–26 October 2025; Batch 2 from 1–16 November 2025
- IMO 3.12 Certification Course: Batch 1 from 18 October–2 November 2025; Batch 2 from 15–30 November 2025
In his statement, Dr. Adalikwu emphasized that the programme’s primary objective is to ensure that Certificates of Competence (CoC) issued to seafarers across the MOWCA region meet the requirements of the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). Ensuring such compliance is essential for maintaining high levels of safety, professionalism, and recognition in the global maritime industry.
The scholarship package is comprehensive, covering airfare, accommodation, tuition fees, and daily allowances (per diems) for all participants, thereby removing financial barriers that may hinder participation. To safeguard transparency and maintain programme integrity, applicants must undergo mandatory drug-free confirmation tests before admission. MOWCA’s maritime transport ministers have been formally notified and instructed to nominate eligible candidates, with applications due by 15 September 2025.
Key maritime institutions expected to benefit directly from this initiative include the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN Oron), the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Ghana, and the Regional Academy of Science and Technology of the Seas (ARSTM) in Côte d’Ivoire. Their involvement helps broaden the programme’s impact and strengthens regional training networks across the MOWCA framework.
This scholarship initiative is considered a significant step in advancing maritime capacity-building and professionalising the seafaring workforce across West and Central Africa. By investing in both instructor development and certification processes, Indonesia and MOWCA are laying the groundwork for a more competent, well-regulated maritime sector.
Beyond the immediate training benefits, this collaboration may also pave the way for future international partnerships aimed at improving maritime safety, certification processes, and institutional capacity across Africa. It reflects how strategic cooperation between regional maritime bodies and global partners such as Indonesia and the IMO can help close training gaps and accelerate maritime development.
As maritime industries continue to evolve globally, initiatives like this will play an increasingly important role in raising training quality, strengthening regulatory compliance, and enhancing the overall competence of seafarers in the region.
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