Championing the Next Generation of Maritime Leaders: Ambassador Nancy Karigithu’s Role in the IMPA Foundation

The global maritime industry stands at a pivotal moment. With shipping carrying around 90% of world trade, the sector faces pressing challenges — from a growing shortage of skilled professionals to the urgent need for a workforce ready to meet the demands of decarbonisation, digitalisation, and resilience.

Against this backdrop, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) has launched the IMPA Foundation, a global charitable initiative dedicated to investing in people — the maritime industry’s most vital asset. The Foundation will fund education, mentorship, and practical guidance, equipping the next generation with the tools they need to succeed in an evolving maritime landscape.

At the heart of this transformative mission is Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, Trustee of the IMPA Foundation, a seasoned maritime leader, and the founder of the Women in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA).

A Voice for Opportunity and Inclusion

Amb. Karigithu has long championed the role of education in creating opportunities and breaking down barriers. In her remarks at the Foundation’s launch, she emphasized:

“Throughout my career, I have witnessed how opportunities can transform lives, breaking barriers for young women and men and inspiring them to dream bigger. The IMPA Foundation is more than an investment in skills; it is a commitment to nurturing talent and opening doors for the next generation of maritime leaders.”

Her leadership is not new. As the founder of WOMESA, Amb. Karigithu has been instrumental in advocating for gender inclusion across Africa’s maritime industry. WOMESA has consistently advanced women’s participation in all aspects of maritime affairs — from seafaring to policy leadership — ensuring that the sector’s growth is inclusive and equitable.

From Sea to Port: Building a Resilient Workforce

The IMPA Foundation’s vision resonates strongly with global initiatives such as the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, which projects that over 800,000 seafarers will need upskilling by 2030. These figures underline the urgency of collaboration between stakeholders to build a resilient, future-ready maritime workforce.

Recent analyses, like the one published in The Coast titled “From Sea to Port for a Resilient Maritime Workforce”, echo the same call: preparing maritime professionals is not just about filling labour gaps — it is about creating opportunities, strengthening sustainability, and ensuring continuity of trade in an increasingly complex world.

WOMESA and the Way Forward

For WOMESA, the launch of the IMPA Foundation marks an important moment of synergy. Both organisations are united by a mission to equip and empower maritime professionals, particularly women and youth, with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive.

As a global Trustee of the IMPA Foundation and regional pioneer through WOMESA, Ambassador Nancy Karigithu embodies the bridge between international collaboration and regional empowerment. Her leadership ensures that Africa’s voice — and especially the voices of African women — remain central to the conversation on the maritime workforce of the future.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply