Nigeria to showcase maritime potential at Mombasa conference
Nigeria will showcase its maritime potential at a high-level session on the margins of the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. The session is being convened by Gadfly Consulting Limited
Nigeria will showcase its maritime potential at a high-level session on the margins of the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.
The session is being convened by Gadfly Consulting Limited and the Blue Bond Accelerator (BBA) to mobilise financing for sustainable blue economy projects across Africa.
It is expected to bring together issuers, investors, regulators and ecosystem partners to develop a pipeline of bankable blue finance opportunities.
Dr. Uche Igwe, lead consultant at Gadfly Consulting Limited, said private sector engagement is critical to unlocking ocean finance.
“It is no longer news that if we must achieve the ambitious agenda of the Nigerian government in the blue economy, we must go the extra mile to mobilise the resources needed,” he said.
Igwe said Nigeria is pursuing plans to develop deep-sea ports to decongest Lagos ports and improve infrastructure.
He said the country must also invest in fisheries and aquaculture despite its vast marine resources.
“That Nigeria has such rich ocean endowments and yet imports $1.2 billion worth of fish annually is inexplicable,” he said.
Igwe said the Mombasa engagement will position Nigeria as a leader in maritime development.
Read Also: Tinubu reforms boost real sector revenues, counter opposition claims — IMPI
“We are going to Mombasa to showcase our potential, demonstrate our leadership in maritime management in the Gulf of Guinea, and secure the partnerships needed to translate our ambitions into action,” he said.
Titia Sjenitzer, co-executive director of the Blue Bond Accelerator, said Nigeria’s policy direction creates opportunities for investment.
“Nigeria stands out as a natural anchor of the African continent. With one of Africa's deepest domestic capital markets and a clear policy push on the blue economy, it has what many markets lack,” she said.
Sjenitzer said the organisation will support issuers with technical and structuring expertise to develop credible blue bonds.
“Convening stakeholders as we intend to do in Mombasa is the best way to build a shared understanding and a common pathway forward,” she said.
The 11th Our Ocean Conference will be held in Mombasa from 16th to 18th of June 2026, and is the first edition to take place in Africa.
The conference will focus on ocean sustainability, coastal communities, and economic opportunities.
It is expected to attract over 1,000 participants from about 100 countries and more than 400 organisations.
Nigeria’s ministry of blue economy has indicated interest in exploring capital market funding for maritime projects.
The conference aims to move global ocean discussions from dialogue to implementation, with emphasis on jobs, equity and resilience.
