FG Flags Off Fisheries Forum to Catalyse Sector Value Chain

Oluchi Chibuzor 

The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has flagged off the Nigeria National Fisheries Stakeholders Forum Programme as part of efforts to catalyse engagement on fisheries development in the country and the value chain.

The two-day event, themed, ‘Strengthening Inclusive and Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy for Job Creation in Nigeria”, was led by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in partnership with TradeMark Africa and funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood, explained that while the challenges faced by women and youth across Africa are similar.

She also explained that the forum hopes to garner insights from players within the fisheries ecosystem in Nigeria, spotlight the challenges and curate objectives that will help the Ministry and its international partners drive the implementation of IMAP in Nigeria.

“The essence of this stakeholders’ forum is to engage with fisheries stakeholders in Nigeria, which is one of the countries that is part of the IMAP programme, to see how we can simplify and enable the participation of youth and women in the fisheries subsector.

“Women and youth are the main actors in the fisheries subsector. Across Africa, the story is the same and we are being supported by these partners to enhance the participation of these players,” she said.

In his remarks, Head, Private Sector Unit, AfCFTA Secretariat, Mr. Themba Khumalo, noted that the dynamics of global geopolitics require Africa to look inwards and work towards strategic collaboration for self-sufficiency. 

He noted that by supporting capacity building through the IMAP project and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area, the continent stands a chance of conserving the excessive costs it spends on food importation.

Meanwhile, Director, Business Competitiveness at TradeMark Africa, Ms. Anataria Uwamariya, explained that the meeting is TradeMark’s maiden engagement with fisheries stakeholders in Nigeria since the inception of the IMAP programme. Hence, the programme will run in Nigeria for four years.

She added that the programme aims to enhance the capacity of women and youth within the fisheries value chain.