Frans Joubert: Charting a Bold Course for Africa’s Maritime Future
- Johané
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – October 16, 2025
Frans Joubert, Founder and Owner of The Go-To Guy and CEO of YCF Manning, brought the Africa Maritime Conference 2025 to a stirring close this week in Addis Ababa. As a respected voice in both business and maritime leadership, Joubert’s presence at the three-day event underscored his deep commitment to advancing Africa’s role on the global maritime stage.
A Visionary Leader Bridging Business and the Sea
With more than three decades of experience spanning technology, telecoms, and global enterprise development, Frans Joubert has built a reputation for innovation and strategic foresight. As CEO of YCF Manning, a global network that includes the Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute, EMA Marine GmbH (Germany), and EMA Marine Liberia, he oversees a rapidly expanding enterprise that is redefining maritime education and employment across continents.
Under his leadership, over 5,000 cadets have been trained to date - more than half of them specialising as maritime engineers. From the institute’s base at Bahir Dar University, Joubert envisions scaling this number to 1,000 new cadets annually, supplying world-class talent to international shipping lines and crew operators.
With offices in Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, and Cyprus, and plans for expansion into new markets, YCF Manning is fast becoming a cornerstone of Africa’s maritime transformation.
Championing Collaboration at the Africa Maritime Conference 2025
Held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel from October 14–16, the Africa Maritime Conference convened leading policymakers, diplomats, and industry experts under the theme of global collaboration and sustainable development. Joubert moderated the high-profile session “The Great Debate: Can Africa Become a Leading Global Supplier of Seafarers in the Next Decade?” - a lively discussion that explored training quality, women’s inclusion, and Africa’s readiness to lead the next generation of global seafarers.
The panel featured distinguished figures including Ester Magano Nangolo, Captain Kibru Mesfin, Captain Yasser Hashem, Captain Charl Coetzee, Netsanet Mazengia, and Captain Getinet Abay. Together, they highlighted the importance of uniting innovation, education, and policy to position Africa as a seafaring powerhouse.
A Memorable Farewell Message
As the conference drew to a close, Joubert delivered an effervescent farewell that resonated deeply with delegates. Reflecting on three days of collaboration and inspiration, he shared his belief that “Africa’s maritime future is not a distant dream but a movement already taking shape.” He celebrated the partnerships forged and reaffirmed his commitment to global collaboration, particularly through frameworks such as ILO 185 and MLC 2006, which promote ethical and sustainable maritime employment. This conference has been a dream of Frans for a long time, and to see it come to life after months of planning, was truly a spectacular sight.
His parting words captured the optimism of the moment:
“This is not the end; see you all at the African Maritime Conference 2026!”
Beyond Maritime: The Entrepreneurial Mind Behind The Go-To Guy
In addition to his maritime leadership, Frans Joubert is also the visionary behind The Go-To Guy - a strategic communications and innovation platform that reflects his entrepreneurial drive and passion for storytelling. Through this venture, he continues to champion collaboration, creativity, and thought leadership across industries, amplifying voices that inspire positive change.
Looking Ahead
Whether through training the next generation of seafarers or connecting leaders through platforms like The Go-To Guy, Frans Joubert exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking leadership Africa needs as it navigates toward a more connected and competitive future. His message from Addis Ababa was clear: Africa is ready to sail confidently into the global maritime horizon.
Conference photos
All images were provided
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