ECOWAS Relaunches Regional Blue Economy Initiative

ECOWAS Relaunches Regional Blue Economy Initiative

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has resumed work on finalising its long-delayed Regional Blue Economy Strategy, starting with a high-level consultative workshop on Monday in Abuja.

The meeting brought together representatives of ECOWAS member states, regional organisations, and continental institutions to review and validate the draft strategy, which has remained dormant since its development in 2022.

The blue economy—encompassing marine resources, aquaculture, maritime transport, ocean conservation, and climate resilience—is seen as a vital driver of sustainable development across West Africa.

The original draft was prepared under the Programme for Improved Regional Fisheries Governance in Western Africa but had stalled until now.

The Programme Officer for Fishery Development and Focal Person for Blue Economy at ECOWAS, Djiga Thiao, delivered remarks on behalf of the outgoing Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alain Traoré.

Thiao warmly welcomed participants to Abuja and underscored the strategic importance of regional cooperation on marine resource management.

He highlighted the interconnected nature of marine sectors and the need for policy alignment.

“You know that the marine resources and the water resources are the crossroads of many sectors—fisheries, aquaculture, shipping—also in the context of climate change and sustainable livelihood that we need to get from these resources. So we need to have harmonised policies and guiding policies to get the best benefit from these resources.

“That’s why we need a blue economy strategy. It is highly important for ECOWAS to have a regional one.

He acknowledged the historical gap in progress.

“I should remind you that we had a draft since 2022 that was pending. I think that was during the PESCAO project. And unfortunately, after the PESCAO project, this draft was staying just like it is so far.”

Despite the delay, Thiao emphasised that the strategy remains a top priority within the ECOWAS Commission.

“The Commissioner said she wanted this blue economy strategy to be one of ECOWAS’ biggest legacies. Unfortunately, she is leaving us tomorrow and as well as the director.

“But like the French people say, les personnes partent, les institutions demeurent. So this blue economy will still be a big priority for the new director and Commissioner who are coming. And that’s why we are fully committed to making this process of review and validation very successful.”

He stressed the shared responsibility among stakeholders.

“This work we are doing, if we get success, it will be our success together. But if we fail, we will fail together. So, you delegate from the member state and on our side from ECOWAS, we have the duty to work closely with the experts so that we get this blue economy strategy, a draft that will be validated later.”

Thiao thanked the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources for its swift support.

The Blue Economy Advisor at the African Union Commission, Linda Etta, spoke virtually on behalf of Hassan Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Division, AUC.

“The African Union Commission is deeply committed to supporting member states and regional economic communities in translating the strategic ambitions into tangible outcomes.

“Initiatives like the ECOWAS regional blue economy strategy are critical to ensuring policy harmonisation, shared best practices, and investment mobilisation across our region,” she said.

A Blue Economy Expert at AU-IBAR, Dr Mohammed Seisay, reinforced the AU’s commitment to national and regional efforts.

He explained that one of the key resolutions was to assist AU member states and regional economic communities in creating their own blue economy strategies.
“We began with four countries, later extended support to 11 more, and have continued working with regional blocs,” he said.

Seisay further pointed to recent assistance in Burkina Faso, noting: “It was on this basis that we supported Burkina Faso in developing its national blue economy strategy. This makes the current support particularly timely for the region.”

The workshop was attended by representatives of AU-IBAR, the African Union Commission, the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, national delegates from ECOWAS member states, and technical experts involved in finalising the strategy.