A comprehensive multi-criteria assessment framework developed by the World Maritime University (WMU) for the Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA) has outlined the criteria that should guide the selection of the host country for the proposed Regional Maritime University (RMU), recommending a balanced evaluation that extends beyond geography to include governance, infrastructure, accessibility, financial commitment, and industry support.

The framework is intended to identify the country is best positioned to establish and sustain a world-class maritime institution serving Eastern, Southern, and Northern Africa.

Rather than relying on a single factor, the study proposes evaluating prospective host countries across a broad range of strategic indicators to ensure the university can deliver internationally recognized maritime education and training while supporting regional economic development.

A key pillar of the assessment is maritime suitability, which examines whether a country possesses the core maritime assets needed to support high-quality seafarer education.

This includes direct access to the coast, proximity to commercial ports, an established seafaring workforce, the presence of a competent maritime administration, and compliance with international maritime standards such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) White List and European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) recognition.

According to the WMU study, these factors are critical because they determine whether students can access shipboard practical training, sea-time placements, port operations, and the regulatory environment required under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The framework also evaluates maritime education and training capacity, focusing on the availability of existing maritime education institutions, qualified instructors, simulators, engineering laboratories, workshops, and training vessels. It further considers the availability of land for future expansion and the country's ability to scale up infrastructure over time.

The study notes that countries with existing maritime training facilities would significantly reduce the cost and risks associated with establishing a regional university while allowing phased expansion as student enrolment grows.

Accessibility and connectivity form another major criterion. The assessment examines the quality of international air links, road and railway infrastructure, port connectivity, and integration with regional trade corridors.

It also considers visa procedures, work and residence permit requirements, ease of movement for students and academic staff, and the language environment.

These indicators are intended to ensure that students, lecturers, visiting experts, examiners, and development partners can travel to and operate within the host country with minimal administrative or logistical barriers.

Long-term institutional stability is addressed through an assessment of political governance. Countries are evaluated on political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, adherence to the rule of law, anti-corruption measures, sovereign creditworthiness, and performance under internationally recognised governance indices such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

According to the framework, these indicators provide insight into whether the university can operate in a predictable policy environment that inspires confidence among member states, development partners, and private investors over the long term.

Economic and social conditions also feature prominently in the evaluation. The framework considers population size, urbanisation, youth demographics, gross domestic product, economic growth rates, income levels, debt sustainability, exchange-rate stability, accommodation costs, and access to healthcare.

These indicators measure whether the host country can provide an affordable and supportive environment capable of attracting students, researchers, and faculty from across the region while sustaining a major international institution.

Another criterion assesses a country's experience in hosting international and regional organisations. Countries with established records of accommodating United Nations agencies, regional institutions, or international development organisations are viewed favourably because they have demonstrated the administrative capacity to coordinate multinational programmes, organise international conferences, and manage diplomatic protocols.

Such experience is considered important in ensuring the smooth operation of a university expected to serve multiple countries and work closely with governments, maritime administrations, and development partners.

The framework also gives considerable weight to regional acceptability and stakeholder preference. This criterion draws on feedback collected through online surveys and stakeholder consultation workshops to determine which countries enjoy the greatest confidence among member states and maritime stakeholders.

The WMU study argues that broad regional support is essential for ensuring political ownership, sustained student enrolment, and long-term institutional success. A host country that commands confidence across the region is likely to attract stronger partnerships and wider participation in the university's academic programmes.

Strong links with industry constitute another important area of assessment. Countries are evaluated based on access to shipping companies, commercial ports, logistics firms, cadetship opportunities, internships, sea-time placements, employment pathways, and research partnerships.

These relationships are regarded as indispensable for producing graduates with practical experience and improving employment prospects in the maritime sector. Industry partnerships also strengthen applied research, innovation, and technology transfer, helping the university remain responsive to the evolving needs of the global shipping and logistics industry.

Finally, the framework examines the financial commitment prospective host countries are prepared to make toward establishing the university. This includes direct government funding, provision of land, capital investment, recurrent operational support, scholarship programmes, cadetship financing, tax and customs incentives, and commitments to infrastructure development.

The report notes that meaningful financial and in-kind contributions demonstrate a government's readiness to support the institution beyond its initial establishment, thereby enhancing its long-term sustainability.