In a strategic push to unlock investment and operational opportunities in the maritime sector, the Tanzanian Shipping Company (TASHICO) is seeking collaboration with the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), a move that could reshape the shipping ecosystem of East Africa and create viable entry points for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on both sides.
During a high-level visit to Lagos, led by Tanzania's Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Samwel Maneno, the delegation engaged with the NCS to explore joint ventures in shipbuilding, marine logistics, tourism, and maritime law.
The discussion revealed promising areas where Nigerian expertise, particularly through Unity Shipping Worldwide (a Nigerian joint venture with NNPC and Caverton Offshore), could inspire Tanzania's efforts to grow its national fleet and modernize its inland waterway systems.
SMEs in ship repair, marine services, training, and equipment supply stand to gain significantly from this cross-border maritime cooperation. The Vice President of NCS, Ify Akerele, emphasized that a stakeholders' forum will soon be convened to bridge players in both countries—either online or physically. This knowledge-sharing initiative is expected to catalyze business matchmaking and technology transfer for SME operators in the blue economy.
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With a population of over 68 million and its strategic position in East Africa, Tanzania presents massive potential for intra-African maritime trade. TASHICO's Managing Director, Mr. Eric Hamissi, disclosed the company's plans to expand beyond its current fleet of 18 ships and tap into regional markets like the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nigerian SMEs—particularly those already benefiting from oil sector deregulation and reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act—may now have a pathway to expand into new shipping ventures through this partnership.
By focusing on enterprise-driven cooperation and skills development, this Nigeria–Tanzania collaboration offers more than a bilateral pact—it creates a continental blueprint for maritime SME growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
