China, ABER move to deepen blue economy partnership
The Chinese Government has expressed willingness to partner with the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) to promote cooperation in the Blue Economy, coastal protection and delta governance across Africa.
China also identified sustainable river basin management, coastal protection, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) management and ocean literacy as priority areas for collaboration.
*Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Yu Dunhai, represented by the Embassy's Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Mr Sun Xuekun, received an ABER delegation led by its Founder and Convener, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, on Wednesday in Abuja
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Chinese Government has expressed willingness to partner with the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) to promote cooperation in the Blue Economy, coastal protection and delta governance across Africa.
China also identified sustainable river basin management, coastal protection, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) management and ocean literacy as priority areas for collaboration.
The commitment was made on Wednesday in Abuja when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Yu Dunhai, represented by the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Mr Sun Xuekun, received an ABER delegation led by its Founder and Convener, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo.
Dunhai described Nigeria as a strategic partner in the Gulf of Guinea, reaffirming China’s commitment to strengthening maritime and economic relations with Nigeria and other African countries.
He cited China’s involvement in port development, railway infrastructure, free trade zones and maritime logistics, adding that cooperation could be extended to river basin management, coastal protection, delta governance and capacity building under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
In his remarks, Kiyaramo commended the Chinese Government and East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai, for initiating the China-Africa Cooperation on River Basins, Coastal Zones and Delta Governance.
He described the initiative as a significant development in China-Africa relations, particularly in addressing the interconnected challenges facing river systems, coastal communities and delta environments.
Kiyaramo said ABER, a Pan-African platform comprising more than 400 maritime experts, academics, industry leaders and seafarers across 25 coastal states and the Diaspora, was well positioned to facilitate collaboration between African institutions and international partners.
He said the organisation was advancing Africa’s Blue Economy through its Identify, Protect and Harness framework, which focuses on policy advocacy, research, community inclusion and continental cooperation.
The ABER convener said the organisation had championed the development of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, approved in May 2025.
He added that ABER was advocating a complementary National River Basin and Delta Governance Framework, drawing lessons from China’s integrated approach to managing the Yangtze River Delta.
Kiyaramo also proposed the establishment of an ECNU-ABER River-Delta Knowledge Hub in Nigeria to promote joint research, data collection, river monitoring and capacity development.
According to him, the proposed centre would support the establishment of monitoring stations along the Niger and Benue rivers and provide training opportunities for African hydrologists.
He said ABER’s Africa Blue Ocean Guardians initiative would also encourage women fish processors, fishermen and young people to participate in coastal protection and community-based river monitoring.
Kiyaramo said the organisation was working to extend the ECNU initiative beyond the Niger Delta to other major African river systems, including the Senegal River Delta and the Congo Basin.
“We have discussed the Blue Economy as a sea economy. Yet 60 per cent of marine pollution comes from rivers, and 70 per cent of fish breed in deltas.
“You cannot govern the sea without governing the river that feeds it. ECNU has understood this nexus,” he said.
He said the proposed partnership would help tackle environmental degradation, coastal erosion, pollution and other challenges confronting riverine and coastal communities across Africa.
To advance the collaboration, Kiyaramo proposed that ABER be designated Nigeria’s implementing partner for ECNU’s Africa programme.
He also proposed a joint China-Africa River-Coast-Delta Fellowship to provide annual training opportunities at ECNU for 20 African scholars.
Another proposal was the establishment of an Abuja-Shanghai Delta Governance Dialogue, to be hosted in Yenagoa during ABER’s proposed Gulf of Guinea Blue Economy Media Summit, with the Chinese Embassy and ECNU serving as co-hosts.
Kiyaramo said the proposals were designed to translate China-Africa cooperation into practical research, policy development and investment opportunities.
The meeting ended with both parties expressing willingness to deepen technical engagements towards establishing a formal partnership framework.
Members of the ABER delegation included Dr Amenya Kartay, Chief of Staff and Head of Abuja Liaison Bureau; Hajiya Madina Dauda Nadabo, Director of Communication and Public Affairs; Prince Ibiok, Director of ICT and Digital Innovation; and Celina Momoh, Special Assistant to the Convener on Protocol.
