TrainForTrade Modern Port Management course participants from Guinea head to Togo for a port visit and knowledge sharing

The UNCTAD TrainForTrade Port Management Programme (PMP) supports port communities in developing countries in delivering more efficient and competitive port management in the future. In order to increase trade flows and foster economic development, the programme creates port networks bringing together public, private and international entities. The aim is to share knowledge and expertise between port operators and strengthen talent management and human resources development in port communities.

The PMP’s main objectives

• Strengthen institutional capacity and management efficiency of ports and related agencies.
• Promote port community participation and public-private partnerships.
• Enhance the competitiveness of ports and the quality of their services.
• Improve the environmental sustainability and social responsibility of ports.

The PMP provides technical assistance in various areas, including port planning, management and operations, logistics and supply chain management, port security, safety and environmental protection, and legal and regulatory frameworks. It also organizes training courses, workshops, and seminars, as well as conducts research and analysis on port-related issues.

Programme outline

As part of the activities of the French-speaking network of the TrainForTrade Port Management Programme, the 14 trainees (4 women 29%) of the 8th cycle of the port community of Conarky, Guinea have completed all eight modules of the course on Modern Port Management (240 hours) from March 2023 to the end of October 2023. With the supervision of local port experts trained by UNCTAD, the trainees are now working on their theses consisting of case studies concerning real problems and providing concrete recommendations to improve the performance of the port community of Conakry.

The participants went on a recent visit to the port of Lomé in Togo. This visit provided for a friendly exchange of knowledge between the two ports as well as valuable network building within TrainForTrade’s French speaking network. Directors of the Port Autonome of Lomé were present for this shared experience as well as directors of the port’s educational committee.

The 14 trainees from the 8th promotion of the modern Port Management Programme will defend their theses in front of a jury made up of international experts who are also members of the TrainForTrade network in 2024.