MTCC Africa

What MTCC Africa does

MTCC Africa (Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa) is a non-profit technical cooperation center established in January 2017 under the Global MTCCs Network (GMN), a joint initiative of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union. Hosted by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Mombasa, Kenya, the center operates as a consortium with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). Its mission is to build capacity for climate change mitigation in the African maritime shipping industry, helping African countries implement IMO energy-efficiency measures and comply with MARPOL Annex VI requirements through pilot projects, technical training, and policy support.

Its core portfolio consists of three flagship pilot projects: Pilot Project I on Uptake of Port Energy Efficient Technologies (Level 1 energy audits for African ports), Pilot Project II on Fuel Consumption and Emissions Data Collection and Reporting (equipping selected ships with CLS-developed Thorium X tablets and Satboxes feeding the Themis platform to calculate the Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator), and Pilot Project III on Quantification of Emissions within the Port of Mombasa, conducted per IMO Glomeep methodology. Additional programs include the Norad-funded IMO-Norad TEST Biofouling Project (using ROVs for in-water vessel inspections and biofouling management), the IMO CARES initiative for green technology deployment, the WIOSAP project for Western Indian Ocean sustainable port development, and the ongoing GMN Phase II. The technology stack relies on third-party hardware (CLS) and international standards (IMO Glomeep) rather than proprietary platforms.

MTCC Africa operates as a grant-funded technical cooperation center with no commercial revenue streams. Initial funding (January 2017 – December 2021) came from the European Union's Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI); the EU continues to fund GMN Phase II, while Norad funds the TEST Biofouling Project. The center serves African maritime administrations, port authorities, shipping companies, and designated focal point countries across all African maritime regions (Northern Mediterranean, Western Atlantic, Central/Landlocked, Southern, Eastern Indian Ocean, and Small Island States). Go-to-market is event-driven, delivered through national and regional workshops, technology demonstrations, webinars, conferences, and direct stakeholder engagement, with services provided free of charge under technical cooperation programs.

Name

MTCC Africa

Legal name

Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa

Website

https://mtccafrica.jkuat.ac.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MTCC Africa is a non-profit technical cooperation center hosted by JKUAT in Mombasa, Kenya. It builds capacity for climate change mitigation in African maritime shipping through pilot projects, training, and technology demonstrations under the IMO-led Global MTCCs Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Capacity Building and Environmental Consulting

akta.pro primary industry

Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory (EUABAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Data Measurement & IoT/Telemetry Enablement (Energy/Meter/Asset Data Ingest) (EUABAEAI), Supplier Engagement & Value-Chain Decarbonization Programs (EUABAKAE), Supply Chain (Scope 3) Emissions & Supplier Engagement Platforms (EUABAEAE)

Keywords

• Maritime capacity building
• Port energy efficiency
• Ship emissions monitoring
• Maritime decarbonization consulting
• IMO compliance training

Headquarters

HQ city

Mombasa

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. EU Development Cooperation Instrument Funding: Initial phase (January 2017 - December 2021) supported by European Union Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), managed by Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission
2. IMO-European Union GMN Project Funding: GMN Phase II project funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Maritime Organization for capacity building and climate change mitigation
3. IMO-Norad TEST Biofouling Project: Technical cooperation project supported by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) for biofouling management

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MTCC Africa delivers technical cooperation and capacity building programs to enable African maritime administrations, port authorities, and shipping stakeholders to implement IMO energy-efficiency and GHG emissions reduction measures. Its core offerings are a portfolio of named pilot projects covering port energy efficiency (Pilot Project I), fuel consumption data collection using Thorium X tablets (Pilot Project II), and port emissions quantification (Pilot Project III), plus complementary programmes including TEST Biofouling, IMO CARES, GMN II, and WIOSAP, delivered through workshops, training, and technology demonstrations.

Product overview

MTCC Africa is a Centre of Excellence focused on building capacity for climate change mitigation in the African maritime shipping industry. Rather than a commercial product company, it operates as an implementation organization running demonstration pilot projects and capacity-building initiatives. The core offerings include three main pilot projects: Pilot Project I on Port Energy Efficient Technologies, Pilot Project II on Fuel Consumption Data Collection using Thorium-X tablets, and Pilot Project III on Port Emissions Quantification. Additional initiatives include the TEST Biofouling Project for marine biofouling management, the IMO CARES programme for green technology deployment, WIOSAP for sustainable port development, and the GMN II project for regional maritime decarbonization. These projects work together to enable African countries to implement energy-efficiency and GHG emissions reduction measures through technical assistance, training, and pilot demonstrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pilot Project I: Uptake of Port Energy Efficient Technologies and Operations A demonstration pilot project promoting the uptake of energy-efficient technologies and operations within African ports through Level 1 energy audits and implementation of energy efficiency strategies. It is targeted at African port authorities and shipping stakeholders and delivered as part of the Global MTCCs Network.
• Pilot Project II: Fuel Consumption and Emissions Data Collection and Reporting A pilot project quantifying greenhouse gas impacts from shipping in African ports by equipping selected ships with Thorium X tablets to provide real-time fuel consumption data, processed to calculate the Energy Efficiency Operation Index (EEOI). It is targeted at maritime administrations and shipping operators.
• Pilot Project III: Quantification of Emissions within the Port of Mombasa Limits An emission inventory assessment providing comprehensive ship emission data for decision-makers on emission levels and development of emissions reduction strategies within the Port of Mombasa. It is targeted at the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, and port policy stakeholders.
• TEST Biofouling Project A project supporting implementation of IMO Biofouling Guidelines through effective biofouling management approaches and mitigation of environmental risks from invasive aquatic species, including in-water cleaning and inspection demonstrations using ROVs. It is targeted at port authorities, maritime administrations, and shipping operators in African and Indian Ocean countries.
• IMO CARES A long-term IMO programme to accelerate demonstration of green technologies and their deployment to facilitate blue economic growth in developing regions, coordinated with MTCC Africa and linked to R&D centres, MTCCs, pilot technology demonstration projects, and green financing initiatives.
• GMN II Project The Global Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres Network Phase II, an EU-funded IMO-implemented project helping developing regions cut GHG emissions from shipping through capacity building, pilot demonstrations, and the Regional Industry Alliance for Africa. It is targeted at African maritime administrations, port authorities, and shipping stakeholders.
• WIOSAP Sustainable Port Development Programme A sustainable port development programme focused on the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, convening stakeholders to advance port sustainability. It is targeted at port authorities and maritime stakeholders in WIO countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Port of Mombasa emits 400 tons of GHGs per year, projected to double in 10 years without intervention (KPA Handbook 2020)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017IMO is the implementing organization for the Global MTCCs Network (GMN) project. MTCC Africa was established under the GMN initiative funded by the EU and implemented by IMO. IMO provides technical guidance, project coordination through the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), and connects MTCC Africa to global maritime decarbonization initiatives including GreenVoyage2050, IMO CARES, and TEST Biofouling projects.
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017JKUAT hosts MTCC Africa at its Mombasa CBD Campus. As the host institution, JKUAT provides administrative infrastructure, academic expertise, and serves as the lead consortium member. The university contributes technical staff including the Project Director and assists in organizing events and training programs.
• Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017KMA is a key consortium partner providing regulatory expertise in maritime environmental protection, marine environment protection, and maritime studies. KMA staff serve as technical experts for GHG emissions assessments and environmental programs. The organization is also supported by KMA and assists with port environmental compliance activities.
• Kenya Ports Authority (KPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017KPA is a consortium partner providing port operational expertise for energy efficiency initiatives. KPA contributes technical staff including senior electrical engineers for energy audits, supports pilot project implementation at Port of Mombasa, and shares data for emissions inventory assessments. KPA is implementing green port initiatives including solar installations.
• GreenVoyage2050 ProgrammemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint collaboration with IMO GreenVoyage2050 Programme for national stakeholder workshops on green maritime transition. MTCC Africa participates in GreenVoyage2050 activities under GMN II project to advance maritime decarbonization in Africa through policy development, technology uptake, and capacity building.
• IMO CARES ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMO CARES (Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping) is a long-term program coordinated with MTCC Africa to accelerate demonstration of green technologies and their deployment in developing regions. The program links R&D centers, MTCCs, pilot technology demonstration projects, and green financing initiatives.
• Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerREMPEC collaborated with MTCC Africa to host a webinar on Climate Change Mitigation focusing on North African States bordering the Mediterranean Sea. REMPEC provides technical support on MARPOL Annex VI implementation and assists Mediterranean coastal States in ratifying and implementing maritime pollution conventions.
• South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAMSA collaborated with MTCC Africa to co-host the Virtual Energy Efficiency ConfEx in March 2021. SAMSA serves as focal point for Southern African Region and signed MOU with MTCC Africa for engagement in capacity building for climate change mitigation.
• Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTCC Africa conducted courtesy visit to TASAC offices in Dar es Salaam to discuss collaboration and upcoming activities. TASAC is a key maritime stakeholder in Tanzania.
• OceanHub AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOceanHub Africa collaborated with MTCC Africa and IMO CARES Project for COP27 side event on mobilizing global support for green maritime transition in Africa.
• Regional Industry Alliance for Africa (RIA-Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIA-Africa serves as a platform for accelerating regional cooperation between governments, industry, development partners, and financial institutions for maritime decarbonization. MTCC Africa works with RIA-Africa to translate policy ambitions into tangible investments and implementation.
• Women in Maritime Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTCC Africa works closely with WOMESA to champion gender equality and ensure women are actively involved in shaping Africa's maritime energy transition. Collaboration includes joint events and initiatives promoting women in decarbonization.
• World Maritime University (WMU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMU provides training to African maritime professionals on fuel efficiency, port electrification, alternative fuels, and climate finance. WMU and SAMSA trained over 30 executives and policymakers on maritime decarbonization.
• IMO TEST Biofouling Project Coordination Unit (PCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTCC Africa co-organizes TEST Biofouling activities with the PCU, including national technology demonstration and training workshops. PCU provides technical guidance and coordinates demonstration activities across partner countries.
• Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Sri LankaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEPA hosted the Sri Lanka National Technology Demonstration and Training Workshop on biofouling management in collaboration with MTCC Africa and IMO TEST Biofouling PCU.
• Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPA served as demonstration site for TEST Biofouling Project, showcasing in-water cleaning and inspection technologies. MPA hosted officials from PCU and MTCC Africa for site visits and technical briefings.
• Kenya Ministry of Roads and TransportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Roads and Transport is listed as a connected organization, providing government linkage for MTCC Africa activities in Kenya.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights14 records

Others

• GreenVoyage2050 Programme (IMO): IMO-led capacity-building programme on green shipping that MTCC Africa collaborates with under GMN II. Operates in the same maritime decarbonization capacity-building space but as a global programme rather than a regional centre.
• World Maritime University (WMU): IMO-founded postgraduate maritime university in Malmö that trains African maritime professionals with MTCC Africa. Closely thematically linked as an IMO family capacity-building institution with academic delivery.
• OceanHub Africa: African ocean-economy accelerator that co-organized the COP27 side event with MTCC Africa and IMO CARES. Adjacent as a partner in mobilizing blue-economy and green-maritime support across the continent.
• IMO CARES: IMO Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping, a long-term programme MTCC Africa actively participates in. Functions as a complementary global vehicle for green technology demonstration in developing regions.
• Regional Industry Alliance for Africa (RIA-Africa): Regional alliance MTCC Africa works with to translate policy ambitions on African maritime decarbonization into investment. Operates in the same regional ecosystem and convenes many of the same stakeholders.
• REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea): IMO-administered regional centre supporting Mediterranean states on MARPOL implementation and marine pollution response. Directly collaborates with MTCC Africa on North African capacity building and shares the IMO capacity-building ecosystem.

Direct peers

• MTCC Asia: Sister Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre covering Asia under the same IMO-EU Global MTCCs Network (GMN). Runs the equivalent capacity-building and pilot project mandate for Asian maritime administrations, making it the closest structural peer to MTCC Africa.
• MTCC Latin America: Latin American MTCC under the GMN network, delivering pilot projects and capacity building for the region's maritime administrations. Closely comparable in mandate, structure, and funding model to MTCC Africa.
• MTCC Pacific: Pacific MTCC under the GMN network, focused on Pacific Island states and LDCs. Shares MTCC Africa's emphasis on serving SIDS and LDCs with limited in-country technical capacity for maritime decarbonization.
• MTCC Caribbean: Caribbean MTCC under the GMN network, hosted within the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Mirrors MTCC Africa's role of supporting SIDS and developing-country maritime administrations on IMO energy-efficiency compliance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mtcc_africa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mtccafrica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about MTCC Africa