IMO Net Zero Framework Sparks Debate Over Trade Costs in Africa
African maritime and trade officials are weighing the economic costs and strategic opportunities of proposed global shipping decarbonisation reforms under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF), as concerns grow over potential impacts on freight rates, port competitiveness and trade flows across the continent. The debate took center stage on February 12, 2026, during the Regional African Port States Meeting on the IMO NZF held in Mombasa and convened by the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).
With more than 90 per cent of Africa’s external trade transported by sea, representatives stressed that any changes to international shipping regulations could have direct consequences for African ports, logistics corridors and national economies. The IMO Net Zero Framework forms part of the global regulator’s broader push to cut carbon emissions from international shipping, including a transition away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy sources and the introduction of levies on vessels that fail to meet new environmental performance standards.
Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Ali Mohamed, acknowledged that maritime decarbonisation is an essential long-term objective but emphasized that Africa must navigate the reforms strategically amid evolving geopolitical pressures and multilateral negotiations. Policymakers at the meeting highlighted the need for coordinated African engagement to ensure that the continent’s trade-dependent economies are not disproportionately burdened by compliance costs.
Several African and other developing nations have raised concerns that stricter shipping emissions rules could drive up transportation expenses, potentially increasing the price of food, fuel and essential goods. Industry observers warn that higher compliance and fuel transition costs may be passed down the supply chain, affecting exporters, importers and consumers alike. For trade-reliant African economies, rising maritime logistics costs could weaken competitiveness in global markets, particularly for ports serving key export-import corridors.
AAMA Chairman and Kenya Maritime Authority Director General Omae Nyarandi described the current regulatory shift as a defining moment for Africa’s maritime sector. He noted that evolving fuel standards and emissions regulations are rapidly becoming the “language of markets,” influencing cargo owner preferences, financing decisions and insurance pricing structures. As global shipping lines adjust to new environmental benchmarks, African ports may face increasing pressure to modernize infrastructure and adopt greener technologies to remain competitive.
Trade and logistics experts participating in the Mombasa discussions cautioned that without tailored policies, investment planning and regional coordination, Africa could face rising operational costs and reduced integration within global supply chains. They pointed to the introduction of new operational charges by major carriers, which have already generated cost concerns among traders in East Africa, as an early indicator of the potential financial implications of global shipping reforms.
As the IMO advances its Net Zero Framework, African governments and maritime authorities are balancing climate commitments with economic realities, seeking a pathway that supports sustainable shipping while safeguarding trade competitiveness, port development and long-term economic growth across the continent.
