By John Ndegwa / BMA
Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) today hosted the Ambassador of France to Kenya, H.E. Amb. Arnaud Suquet, and Mombasa County Governor, H.E. Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, during the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Academy and Alliance Française de Mombasa.
The MoU was officially signed by BMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Katana and Alliance Française de Mombasa representative Muhammed Ramazan, marking a significant milestone in strengthening international collaboration in maritime education and training.
In his speech, Dr. Katana described the partnership as a defining moment for the Academy, emphasizing that collaboration will equip cadets with French language skills, an essential tool for accessing opportunities within the global maritime industry, particularly in Francophone regions.
“This partnership will not only enhance the competitiveness of our trainees but also broaden their career prospects in the international maritime space,” Dr. Katana noted.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ambassador Arnaud Suquet reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting education and capacity building in Kenya, highlighting the importance of language and cultural exchange in fostering global partnerships and professional mobility.
Mombasa Governor H.E. Abdulswamad Nassir expressed his appreciation to the French Embassy for its continued support and impactful initiatives that benefit Kenyan youth. He underscored the importance of such collaborations in advancing skills development and economic empowerment within the coastal region.
Also present at the ceremony was CMA CGM East Africa Cluster CEO Naveen Prabhu, who welcomed the partnership and reiterated the company’s commitment to continued engagement with BMA.
He noted that strengthening language skills among cadets will further align them with global industry standards and enhance their employability.
