ABER unveils regional council to drive blue economy
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has inaugurated its Regional Facilitators Council to drive the implementation of Blue Economy initiatives across Africa and accelerate the development of investment-ready projects capable of creating jobs and attracting sustainable investment.
The council, inaugurated during a virtual meeting, will engage national governments, Regional Economic Communities and key stakeholders to promote the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy and strengthen the Blue Economy across the continent.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has inaugurated its Regional Facilitators Council to drive the implementation of Blue Economy initiatives across Africa and accelerate the development of investment-ready projects capable of creating jobs and attracting sustainable investment.
The council, inaugurated during a virtual meeting, will engage national governments, Regional Economic Communities and key stakeholders to promote the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy and strengthen the Blue Economy across the continent.
Speaking at the inauguration, ABER Convener and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, congratulated the newly elected regional facilitators, expressing confidence in their ability to advance the organisation’s continental vision.
Kiyaramo said ABER was founded in 2018 on the belief that Africa’s future prosperity would depend largely on how effectively it harnessed and managed its marine and freshwater resources.
He explained that the organisation functioned primarily as a convening and advocacy platform between 2018 and 2022, helping to place the Blue Economy at the centre of Africa’s development agenda.
According to him, ABER evolved into an implementation-focused platform in 2023, built on the pillars of dialogue, deal-making and delivery.
He said the organisation now supports African Union member states and Regional Economic Communities in domesticating the AU 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy while promoting investment in fisheries, maritime transport, renewable ocean energy, coastal tourism and ecosystem restoration.
Kiyaramo described the Regional Facilitators Council as a strategic structure designed to strengthen ABER’s presence across Africa’s five regions and deepen collaboration with governments and development partners.
He said the regional facilitators would support governments in developing national Blue Economy roadmaps, mobilise partnerships involving the private sector, coastal communities, academia, youth, women and development partners, and identify, package and de-risk bankable projects for investment.
“The Regional Council will ensure that regional initiatives contribute meaningfully to ABER’s broader continental agenda,” he said.
A major highlight of the meeting was the election of the council’s pioneer leadership.
Rev. Chaplain Sean Petoors, Regional Facilitator for Southern Africa, was elected Chairman, while Madam Devota K. Mdachi, Regional Facilitator for Eastern Africa, emerged as Pioneer Secretary.
Kiyaramo said the emergence of the new leadership reflected the balance, experience and pan-African outlook required to advance ABER’s objectives.
“I have full confidence in this leadership. With your experience and commitment, you will provide the direction and momentum this council requires,” he said.
Highlighting the continent’s vast opportunities, Kiyaramo noted that Africa has 38 coastal states, more than 47,000 kilometres of coastline and over 300 million people whose livelihoods depend on marine and freshwater resources.
“This council must remove bottlenecks, attract investment to our coastal communities and ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of our oceans,” he added.
He stressed that the council must also safeguard the interests of communities whose livelihoods depend on Africa’s aquatic resources.
The Regional Facilitator for the ECCAS/CEMAC Zone, Capt. Young Patrice Lumumba, commended the transparent process that produced the council’s pioneer executive and pledged the support of regional facilitators to the new leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Petoors thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to lead the council with transparency, accountability and broad consultation.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to positioning ABER as a leading platform for empowering youth, women and businesses within Africa’s Blue and Green Economy, while expanding the organisation’s presence across all 54 African countries.
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable is a continental platform that brings together governments, the private sector, academia and civil society to promote sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth through Africa’s Blue and Green Economy.
