The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association Nigeria (WISTA Nigeria) has announced that Lagos will host the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference on June 25 and 26, 2026, at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island.
The highly anticipated event, organised under the umbrella of WISTA International, is set to attract a distinguished gathering of maritime leaders, policymakers, regulators, investors, energy experts, legal practitioners, logistics professionals, and business executives from across Africa and beyond.
The two-day conference will serve as a strategic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and networking, coming at a critical time for Africa’s maritime and blue economy sectors amid evolving global conversations around energy transition, sustainability, trade competitiveness, digital transformation, taxation, and inclusive growth.
Hosting the conference holds historic significance for WISTA Nigeria, which is marking 32 years of leadership and impact as the first National WISTA Association in Africa. Over the years, the association has remained at the forefront of promoting professional excellence, gender inclusion, leadership development, and advocacy within the maritime industry.
Speaking ahead of the event, President of WISTA Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani, described the conference as a pivotal platform for shaping the future of Africa’s maritime sector.
“The 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference is more than a gathering of professionals; it is a platform for ideas, partnerships, innovation, and action. As Africa strengthens its position in global trade and maritime development, this conference will highlight emerging opportunities, foster regional collaboration, and reinforce Nigeria’s strategic role in the global maritime value chain”, she said.
She added that the conference will feature high-profile speakers and industry leaders from across the maritime, energy, logistics, finance, legal, and public sectors, offering participants valuable insights into key industry trends and challenges.
Discussions will cover a wide range of critical themes, including Africa’s blue economy, energy transition and sustainability, maritime trade and investment opportunities, taxation, innovation and digital transformation, leadership, diversity and inclusion, as well as shipping, logistics, and supply chain resilience.
With participants expected from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, the conference is poised to strengthen international cooperation while unlocking new opportunities for investment, partnerships, and sustainable growth.
Beyond the sessions, attendees will benefit from high-level networking engagements and business interactions designed to foster stronger regional and global connections.
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a leading maritime hub in Africa, hosting the conference further underscores the country’s growing relevance in global maritime discourse and its commitment to promoting inclusion, innovation, and sustainability in the sector.
WISTA Nigeria, founded in 1994, is the Nigerian chapter of WISTA International, an influential global network of female professionals in maritime, trading, logistics, and offshore industrie.
It remains a leading advocate for diversity and leadership development across the industry.