The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has inaugurated its Regional Facilitators Council to accelerate implementation of the Blue Economy agenda across Africa.
The council is also expected to engage national governments and develop bankable projects capable of attracting investment across the continent.
The Convener and Chief Executive Officer of ABER, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, stated this during the council’s virtual inaugural meeting.
Kiyaramo congratulated the newly elected regional facilitators and expressed confidence in their capacity to advance ABER’s continental mandate.
He said ABER was conceived in 2018 on the conviction that Africa’s prosperity would depend largely on how it managed its aquatic resources.
According to him, the platform operated primarily as a convening and advocacy body between 2018 and 2022.
He said the platform helped place the Blue Economy at the centre of Africa’s development discourse during the period.
Kiyaramo said ABER transitioned into an implementation platform from 2023, anchored on dialogue, deal-making and delivery.
He said the new phase focuses on supporting African Union member states and Regional Economic Communities to domesticate the AU 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy.
It also prioritises the development of bankable Blue Economy projects capable of attracting investment and creating sustainable jobs.
Kiyaramo said the Regional Council was established to strengthen ABER’s presence and impact across Africa’s five regions.
He described the regional facilitators as ABER’s frontline representatives in engagements with national governments across the continent.
He said their responsibilities included supporting governments to develop national Blue Economy roadmaps and domesticate the AU 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy.
The facilitators are also expected to convene the private sector, coastal communities, academia, youth, women and development partners at regional levels.
They will identify, package and de-risk bankable projects in fisheries, renewable ocean energy, shipping, coastal tourism and ecosystem restoration.
Kiyaramo said the facilitators would also ensure that regional initiatives contributed to ABER’s broader continental agenda.
A major highlight of the meeting was the election of the council’s pioneer leadership.
Rev. Chaplain Sean Petoors, Southern Africa Regional Facilitator, emerged as Chairman, while Madam Devota K. Mdachi, Eastern Africa Regional Facilitator, became Pioneer Secretary.
Kiyaramo said the emergence of the new leadership reflected balance, experience and the pan-African spirit required to advance ABER’s objectives.
“I have full and implicit confidence in this leadership. With your experience and commitment, you will provide the direction and drive this Council requires,” he said.
He said Africa’s Blue Economy presented enormous opportunities, with 38 coastal states, more than 47,000 kilometres of coastline and over 300 million people dependent on aquatic resources.
“This Council must be where we remove bottlenecks, move capital to the coastline and ensure growth does not come at the expense of our oceans,” he said.
He added that the council must also protect communities whose livelihoods depended on Africa’s marine and freshwater resources.
Capt. Young Patrice Lumumba, Regional Facilitator for the ECCAS/CEMAC Zone, commended the transparent process that produced the council’s pioneer executive.
Lumumba pledged the support of the regional facilitators to the new leadership in achieving ABER’s objectives.
In his acceptance speech, Petoors expressed appreciation to the regional facilitators for entrusting him with the leadership of the council.
He commended ABER’s founder and president for sustaining the organisation’s vision for Africa’s Blue and Green Economy.
Petoors said the vision had entered a new phase, with activities now extending across the continent’s five regions.
He congratulated Mdachi on her election as secretary and pledged his support to her and other regional facilitators.
“To all facilitators and regions, thank you for your trust. Transparency and consultation will guide us,” he said.
Petoors pledged to position ABER as a leading platform for youth, women and businesses in Africa’s Blue and Green Economy.
He also expressed commitment to expanding ABER’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.
The platform seeks to accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth through Africa’s Blue and Green Economy.