PAK Women Shine at the 4th Continental Conference

From 27 to 29 August 2025, beneath the refined ceilings of the Best Western Hotel in Douala, the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK) proudly amplified a determined and distinctive voice: the voice of its women.

At the 4th Continental Conference and Elective General Assembly of WIMAFRICA, four PAK ambassadors—members of the Association of Women of the Port Authority of Kribi (AFPAK)—powerfully represented women’s leadership within the blue economy.

Among them was Mrs. Rachel ANOUK MBIAM, seasoned legal expert, President of AFPAK, and Head of Service at the Documentation and Archives Centre. With clarity and conviction, she delivered a compelling presentation on the theme:
“Blue Innovation and Women’s Entrepreneurship: Emerging Opportunities.”

Her intervention highlighted the persistent challenges hindering women in maritime sectors: limited access to technical training, cultural and language barriers, and low levels of financial inclusion. But beyond the diagnosis, she proposed practical and actionable solutions, including targeted scholarships, training in local languages, crowdfunding mechanisms, and blue-economy incubators. She also drew on striking illustrative figures to emphasize the urgent need for better recognition, support, and structured frameworks.

Alongside her, three other PAK representatives embodied the diversity and strength of the institution’s female talent:

• Mrs. MATANGA NDOUMBE Mispa, Chief of Staff to the Director General

• Mrs. Lydia MANDE BILLE, Head of Programming Service

• Mrs. FONKOU Edith, Senior Staff Member at the HR Directorate and Secretary General of AFPAK

Through their active participation in workshops and B2B meetings, they strengthened PAK’s visibility across African blue-economy networks, offering insightful perspectives on governance, training, and financing.

Mrs. ANOUK MBIAM also highlighted PAK’s growing role within the blue economy, notably its position as a regional hub for intra-African trade, its active participation in major international economic forums, and the development of Phase II, equipped with modern maritime infrastructure.

Throughout the conference, the four delegates engaged in co-creation sessions, strategic workshops, and meetings with high-profile personalities such as:

• H.E. Nancy W. Karigithu, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy

• Hon. Yevon Adanlete Lawson, Member of Parliament from Togo

As a reminder, WIMAFRICA aims to promote innovation and women’s entrepreneurship across the maritime and blue-economy sectors. In alignment with this vision, PAK reaffirmed the essential role of women in fostering inclusive and sustainable development.

To move the agenda forward, AFPAK recommended strengthening women’s technical capacities, creating dedicated funding mechanisms, establishing blue-economy incubators, advocating for gender quotas in maritime policies, and promoting female role models within the sector.