Federal Government promotes blue economy expansion at Africa Forward summit

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, presented Nigeria’s Blue Economy Agenda at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, and took part in a high‑level panel on the blue economy.

The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Dr Bolaji Akinola, announced this in a statement released in Lagos on Tuesday.

Akinola noted that the minister addressed the topic “Blue Economy: Maritime Sovereignty & Sustainable Valorisation.”

The summit’s theme was “Africa‑France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.”

According to Akinola, Oyetola said the Federal Government continues to implement deliberate measures to unlock the extensive potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue‑economy resources.

He highlighted the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in August 2023 as one of those measures.

Oyetola added that, since its inception, the ministry has achieved notable milestones, including the development of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which provides a strategic framework for sustainable sectoral growth.

He also reported that agencies under the ministry recorded a revenue of N1.83 trillion in the 2025 fiscal year.

The minister said the Federal Government has approved a comprehensive port‑modernisation and upgrade programme intended to attract larger vessels and expand employment opportunities.

He indicated that these modernisation efforts will reinforce Nigeria’s position as the leading maritime hub for West and Central Africa.

The summit gathered African leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners to advance discussions on innovation, economic growth and strategic partnerships across the continent.

The panel session featured the French Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, together with other distinguished maritime stakeholders from Africa.

Oyetola noted that the landmark summit, co‑hosted by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, was attended by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who joined fellow African leaders at the event.

He stressed that the summit, widely regarded as a significant diplomatic and economic engagement, marks a new phase in Africa‑France relations.

He added that it is the first Africa‑France summit held in an English‑speaking, non‑Francophone African country.

NAN