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COPAF 2026
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Conference of African Ports
COPAF 2026

Three days of scientific reflection and strategic exchange bringing together experts, decision-makers and port institutions around “Smart African Port: AI and Cybersecurity for Performance”.

+50
Port authorities
150+
Attendees
2D + 1D
Conferences & Immersion (Port of Casablanca)
COPAF 2026

Lieu

Casablanca

Dates

19–21 Oct.

Limite

09 Oct.

Organised by CRF Perfection · under the joint aegis of AGPAOC and UAPNA and under the high patronage of ANP

AGPAOC - UAPNA network

A pan-African port community

Explore the port authorities that make up AGPAOC and UAPNA across the continent.

Countdown

COPAF 2026 has ended

Join Africa's port decision-makers in Casablanca.

Plan your trip

Everything you need to know to travel to Casablanca

Accommodation, transport, practical info.

Institutional message

A word from the Director General

Dr William ODAH shares his vision of COPAF 2026's challenges.

Strategic Partnerships

Institutional and Strategic Partnerships

AGPAOC
CRF Perfection
ANP
UAPNA
AGPAOC
CRF Perfection
ANP
UAPNA
AGPAOC
CRF Perfection
ANP
UAPNA
2026 Strategic Vision

The Conference of African Ports

Boosting African ports' share of global trade beyond 3% by 2030: that is COPAF's ambition. Building on the Smart Port model and digitalization, the event turns operational performance into a lever for sovereignty and resilience across the continent.

200+
Expected participants
54
African nations
50+
Expert speakers
3
Intensive days

Conference Objectives

Four ambitions serving African port performance.

01

Share high-level expertise

Institutionalize a platform for exchanging best practices and boost the performance of African port executives.

02

Strengthen the decision-making network

Bring together African maritime leaders and decision-makers to foster continental synergy and the emergence of lasting strategic partnerships.

03

Experience a technological and operational immersion

Discover concrete Smart Port, AI and logistics automation solutions through hands-on examples.

04

Accelerate continental competitiveness

Turn technical and relational gains into growth levers to increase Africa's share of global maritime trade.

Programme formats

Four formats to learn, exchange and experience

Plenary conferences

Keynotes from international experts on digitalization, AI and port cybersecurity.

Immersive training sessions

Technical workshops for executives and managers, combining theory with applied port case studies.

Networking & B2B

Dedicated spaces for exchanges between port stakeholders and technology solution providers.

Field visits

Guided immersion into the facilities of a leading port hub to experience Smart Port solutions firsthand.

An event designed for port decision-makers

A qualified audience of strategic and operational profiles

Chief Executives

Port authorities

Strategic leadership

Strategy Directors

and development

Planning & governance

CIOs

Information systems

Digital transformation

Terminal Managers

and operations

Operational excellence

Harbour Masters

Maritime safety

Regulation & security

Innovation Managers

and technology

Smart Port deployment

Other Directors

and port executives

Operational management

Industry stakeholders

Port and para-port sector

Logistics ecosystem
Schedule

3 Days of Intensive Sharing

A structured programme to transform your approach to African port management.

Download the programme (PDF)
Oct 19 2026
Day 1 : Vision of the African Smart Port
Understand the technological landscape and identify opportunities
4
Sessions
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Opening
Opening addresses and presentation
Welcome address and official launch of COPAF 2026.
CRF PERFECTION / AGPAOC / ANPUAPNA
›
9:45 – 10:15 AM
Break
Coffee break
—
›
10:15 – 11:30 AM
Plenary
AI at the heart of the Smart Port revolution
Global overview and African specifics.
M. Modeste ABIALA
›
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Panel
Digital maturity diagnosis
Assess your port authority's digital maturity - flagship live session on tablet.
Dr William ODAH / M. Rénato TCHOBO
›
12:45 – 1:45 PM
Break
Lunch
—
›
1:45 – 3:00 PM
Workshop
Business model for developing a port technology project
ROI, success and failure case studies.
M. N'faye FELIBIGOU
›
3:00 – 3:30 PM
Break
Coffee break
—
›
3:30 – 4:45 PM
Round Table
Automation and data governance
AI-driven automation of port operations and data governance.
M. Rénato TCHOBO (assisted by Dr Dieudonné NYOUMI MBALLA)
›
Location
Port Community Building, Casablanca
Dates
19 – 21 Octobre 2026
Languages
French & English (simultaneous interpretation)
Interactive map
Port Community Building - Port of Casablanca
Open in Google Maps →
Thematic Tracks

3 Days, 3 Tracks at the heart of COPAF 2026

Click on a day to discover its plenary, panel, workshop and round table.

Day 1 · Oct 19
Vision of the African Smart Port

Understand the technological landscape and identify opportunities

ActivitiesView details
Day 2 · Oct 20
Operational Excellence, Security & Cybersecurity

Making operations smoother and safer, leveraging AI and port cybersecurity

ActivitiesView details
Day 3 · Oct 21
Field Immersion

See the Smart Port in practice, at the Port of Casablanca

ActivitiesView details

What you will master

By the end of COPAF 2026, every participant will be able to:

01
Understand the fundamentals of AI and data science applied to ports
02
Design and structure an AI project adapted to African port management
03
Use predictive data to anticipate logistics flows
04
Integrate AI into daily terminal operations management
05
Identify productivity gains: waiting times, maintenance, congestion
06
Master data governance and port cybersecurity
07
Position the port as a high-performing link in African trade corridors
A
AGPAOC
General Secretariat
U
UAPNA
North Africa Port Union
C
CRF Perfection
Pan-African Expertise
COPAF 2026

Speakers

Experts gathered to share their expertise on port challenges in Africa.

M. Modeste ABIALA

M. Modeste ABIALA

Expert in Commercial Strategy and Port Logistics
Commercial Director, Bolloré Transport & Logistics
M. N'faye FELIBIGOU

M. N'faye FELIBIGOU

Expert in Port Operations and Capacity Building
Head of Department, Port Autonome de Lomé · TrainForTrade (UNCTAD) Trainer · Senior Consultant, CRF Perfection
Dr William ODAH

Dr William ODAH

Expert in Strategic Governance and Port Development
Chief Executive Officer, CRF PERFECTION
Dr Dieudonné NYOUMI MBALLA

Dr Dieudonné NYOUMI MBALLA

Expert in Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain-Web3 Technologies
AI & Blockchain-Web3 Specialist
M. Marc BIEGNIEBE

M. Marc BIEGNIEBE

Expert in Port Logistics and Cross-border Transport
Chief Executive Officer of ANAXAR · Senior Consultant, CRF Perfection
M. Rénato TCHOBO

M. Rénato TCHOBO

Expert in Digital Transformation
Digital Solutions Consultant · Chief Digital & IT Officer, CRF PERFECTION
Join COPAF 2026

Choose your participation

Select the category matching your profile.

Participant
I am attending the conference

Ports, port authorities, logistics operators, shippers and all maritime professionals.

EUR 3,500per person
Register now
Dedicated page →
Sponsor / Partner
Visibility & partnership

Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze sponsorships or institutional, media, academic partnership.

From EUR 8,000sponsors & partners
View offers
Dedicated page →
Digital Exhibitor
A digital showcase for your solutions

100% digital exhibition on the COPAF website and on the tablets distributed to participants.

From EUR 500digital - website + tablets
View packages
Contact

A question? Get in touch

Our team responds quickly, through the channel that suits you best.

Official email
contact@copaf-ports.com
Send an email
CRF Perfection email
contact@crfperfection.pro
Send an email
WhatsApp
+229 0169 30 30 19
Chat on WhatsApp
Phone
+1 (240) 978-4155
Call
CRF Perfection - regional presence
Benin · Ivory Coast · Togo · United States
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