President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stressed the importance of international cooperation on maritime security to harness Africa’s blue economy at the 2024 International Maritime Conference in Lagos. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu acknowledged the transnational nature of maritime threats and called for greater global collaboration.
The conference, themed “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14, Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050, and Agenda 2063. Tinubu highlighted that the global blue economy is valued at $1.5 trillion annually and could reach $15.5 trillion by 2050, with Africa’s share projected to grow from $300 billion to $405 billion by 2030.
He praised the Nigerian Navy’s efforts in tackling maritime security challenges and emphasized the need for regional and international partnerships to ensure a secure environment for Africa’s blue economy. Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the Navy and enhancing security to boost Nigeria’s GDP through the blue economy sector.
President Tinubu urged stakeholders to use the conference to advance international cooperation on maritime security and explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s blue economy.
