UN Wetland Day: BlueRiverian Initiative Launches $2.3bn Coastal Tourism Infrastructure Investment

The BlueRiverian Initiative has launched a $2.3 billion coastline-wide blue economy tourism infrastructure investment marketplace strategy.

This, it said, was aimed at transforming Rivers State’s Beach-Ecosystem value-chain into integrated hubs for livelihoods, culture, tourism, and environmental stewardship.

The initiative was unveiled in commemoration of the 2026 UN International Wetlands Day, themed “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” underscoring the importance of indigenous knowledge, cultural continuity, and community leadership in safeguarding Rivers State’s coastal and wetland ecosystems.

Conceived as a large-scale impact investment framework, the initiative seeks to reposition the state’s coastline from isolated tourism sites into coordinated economic systems where tourism revenues directly support ecosystem protection and community development.

The Lead Project Advisor, Mr. Victor Agih, said unlocking the $2.3 billion Rivers State Blue Economy Tourism Marketplace requires a deliberate and coordinated strategy that combines destination branding, infrastructure development, and sustainable finance.

He noted: “The BlueRiverian model positions Rivers State as a premier global blue tourism destination, activating more than 20 coastal economies while leveraging tourism diplomacy partnerships with over 23 Global South countries that share blue economy investment interests.

“This model has the potential to generate over $2.3 billion in annual blue tourism revenues and create more than 230,000 jobs across Rivers State’s coastline, transforming tourism into a major driver of inclusive growth, cultural preservation, and community prosperity.”

Also, the Director-General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, Mr. Yibo Koko, said the initiative redefines the economic and civic value of coastal assets.

“BlueRiverian shows that beaches are not just destinations — they are economic, cultural, and civic systems. When people participate through festivals, markets, and stewardship, they are actively sustaining the coastline and the communities that depend on it,” Koko said.

The Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside described BlueRiverian as a compelling framework for reviving coastal economic growth.

“By leveraging blue economy tourism marketplace systems, BlueRiverian deploys sustainable impact finance to drive socio-economic inclusion through wetland culture, arts, creatives, technology, and heritage festivals as global tourism commodities, while accelerating Rivers State’s GDP and delivering measurable environmental and social outcomes,” Peterside said.

The initiative spans more than 20 coastal and riverine communities, linking Oyorokoto, Ikuru, Finima, NGO/New Atlantic Beach, Ifoko, Borokiri, Bonny, Sandford, Okochiri, Abam, Kalio, Jojo, Opobo, Abazibie, Miningale, Abonemma, Buguma, Degema, Kula, and Abise into a single, coordinated Blue Economy Tourism Money Marketplace network.