ABER honours 30 Africa Blue Economy Heroines
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has honoured 30 outstanding women from across the continent, declaring that women are playing a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s maritime future.
Speaking during the 2026 World Seafarers Day celebration in Douala, Cameroon on Friday, 2026, the Chief Executive Officer and Convener of ABER, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, said women have become key drivers of Africa’s blue economy through their contributions to fisheries, maritime governance, conservation, education and coastal development.
*Sophie De Sylvie Djoufa Tiemagni, Head of the ABER Women's Wing, receives her award from Capt. Young Patrice, ABER Regional Facilitator for Central Africa, during the 2026 World Seafarers Day celebration in Douala, Cameroon.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has honoured 30 outstanding women from across the continent, declaring that women are playing a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s maritime future.
Speaking during the 2026 World Seafarers Day celebration in Douala, Cameroon on Friday, 2026, the Chief Executive Officer and Convener of ABER, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, said women have become key drivers of Africa’s blue economy through their contributions to fisheries, maritime governance, conservation, education and coastal development.
Represented by ABER’s Regional Facilitator for Central Africa, Capt. Young Patrice, Dr Kiyaramo described women as guardians of livelihoods, builders of knowledge, industry leaders and peacebuilders.
He noted that women carry out more than 60 per cent of post-harvest fisheries activities across Africa, making significant contributions to food security, household incomes and the sustainability of coastal economies.
“In the markets of Limbe, women transform the day’s catch into nutrition, livelihoods and education. They are the seafarers of the shoreline,” he said.
Dr Kiyaramo called for broader recognition of women’s contributions to the maritime sector, arguing that the traditional definition of seafarers should extend beyond those working aboard ships to include women engaged in fisheries, marine research, conservation, maritime governance and coastal development.
According to him, women now command vessels, manage ports, lead maritime institutions and champion environmental restoration in vulnerable coastal communities.
He said recognising women on World Seafarers Day was not merely symbolic but a strategic investment in Africa’s sustainable maritime future.
Dr Kiyaramo added that ABER continues to bridge critical gaps in blue economy development through ocean literacy, women’s empowerment, mangrove restoration and Blue Justice initiatives.
He also called for greater investment in blue economy jobs, inclusive education and policies that ensure coastal communities benefit equitably from Africa’s marine resources.
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, the Head of the ABER Women Wing, Sophie De Sylvie Djoufa Tiemagni, described the recognition as a call to greater service.
She urged African governments and stakeholders to place women and young people at the centre of the continent’s blue economy agenda.
The high point of the event was the presentation of the 2026 Africa Blue Economy Heroine Awards to 30 distinguished women representing Africa’s five regions.
The recipients were recognised for their outstanding contributions to maritime governance, fisheries, education, marine science, conservation, maritime security and leadership. Sophie De Sylvie Djoufa Tiemagni received the headline award in recognition of her outstanding efforts to advance women’s participation in Africa’s blue economy.
