Port security in the Gulf of Guinea: Togo and Côte d’Ivoire the first beneficiaries of the WeCAPS project
Ports, strategic infrastructure in West and Central Africa
Maritime traffic in Africa is experiencing strong growth with both economic and security implications. It is estimated that 90% of traffic to Africa transits by sea. Ports in West and Central Africa are therefore critical infrastructure for the distribution of goods in coastal and landlocked countries.
This strategic infrastructure is also vulnerable in terms of safety and security. Ports can be used by criminal organisations for the transit of illicit and dangerous goods. They are also a potential target for terrorist attacks with far-reaching consequences at the human level and for local and regional economies due to the potential disruption to port activities. Finally, the industrial risk is heightened by the fact that ports are often located in densely populated urban areas.
WeCAPS, a project to strengthen port safety and security
In view of these risk factors, the European Commission has committed to support the safety and security of port infrastructure in West and Central Africa, by financing a dedicated technical assistance project, WeCAPS, implemented by Expertise France.
The strategic foundations of the WeCAPS project are based on international frameworks and good practices for port security and safety. They include compliance with the ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security), the implementation of good industry practices and prevailing standards, and assistance in training stakeholders working to secure port infrastructure.
Four training courses organised in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire
In this context, WeCAPS has just organised 4 training courses for staff in the ports of Lomé and Abidjan. There were two “firefighting” training courses, for the level of firefighting equipment officer, for firefighters in charge of commanding emergency operations in the facilities under the responsibility of the director of these two ports.
Two other training courses, which are mandatory under the ISPS Code, were held for professionals whose main task is to ensure port security, and also for other professional port users. In addition to these 4 training courses, WeCAPS also organised a case study for port facility security officers in the form of a safety accident management exercise in the port.
The aim of these training courses was to increase the professional knowledge of the staff of the ports in order to improve port security and safety in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. These training courses are the first stage in a process of actions that will benefit port stakeholders in West and Central Africa until December 2022.
Consult the WeCAPS project sheet
More information is available on the website of the European Union’s Critical Maritime Routes programme
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