The Africa Blue Economy Women’s Forum, under the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), will commemorate World Maritime Day 2026 with a continental conversation focused on translating maritime policies into meaningful action and strengthening women’s leadership across Africa’s maritime and blue economy sectors.
In a release issued by the Director of Communications and Public Relations, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, the Forum provides a platform for women across Africa to connect, contribute, lead and influence the continent’s maritime future.
The theme is “Correcting the Map, Powering Maritime Excellence: Women Driving Africa from Policy to Practice.” It recognises that Africa’s maritime future is interconnected, spanning coastal and island nations as well as landlocked countries dependent on maritime corridors, ports, logistics and regional trade.
The Forum will focus on strengthening women’s participation in policy formulation, governance, investment, innovation and implementation, moving beyond representation to meaningful leadership and impact across the maritime value chain.
Speakers include Amb. Nancy Karigithu, who will deliver the keynote address on “Correcting the Map, Powering Maritime Excellence: Women Driving Africa from Policy to Practice”; Dr. Christiana Chizoba Anyika, Secretary General of ABER, speaking on “From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Maritime Governance”; Dr. Doaa Elgebali, speaking on “Financing Africa’s Maritime Future – Women, Investment and Blue Entrepreneurship”; Dr. Karen Sumser Lupson, speaking on “Maritime Excellence in Action – Innovations, Partnerships and African Women in the Blue Economy”; and Barr. Sophie De Sylvie Djoufa, speaking on “Networking and Strategic Positioning of Women in the Blue Economy.”
The conference will be moderated by Chief Segun Garner, while Dr. Obiageri Appolonia Ezeabili is Chairman of the Planning Committee.
The Forum will examine practical pathways for women’s leadership, including access to opportunities, investment, professional development, technology, innovation, maritime entrepreneurship and decision-making across shipping, ports, transport logistics, marine tourism, fisheries, maritime security, renewable energy and the wider blue economy.
The ABER Women’s Forum emphasises that Africa’s maritime future cannot be designed, financed or implemented without African women. The Forum invites women and men across Africa’s maritime, transport, energy, tourism, logistics, fisheries, environmental and blue economy communities to join the conversation: from policy to practice, from participation to leadership, from fragmented opportunities to connected possibilities, and from Africa’s maritime potential to shared prosperity.