The Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has stressed the need for African countries to strengthen maritime security architecture across the continent for maximum economic benefits.
Africa’s maritime has potential to generate over USD 405 billion by 2030, including USD 100 million by coastal tourism and create over 57 million jobs across the continent, he said , and there is urgent need to safeguard it.
Vice Admiral Ogalla made this charge at the just concluded 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium (SPAS) themed “Good Order at Sea in the African Maritime Domain”, held in Cape Town South Africa, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy Commodore Adams – Aliu stated in a statement.
CNS said in a key address that the sustainable management of these resources is crucial, as they are key drivers of economic growth and food security in the continent.
He emphasised that Africa’s maritime future is guided by the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS), which aims to foster wealth creation by developing an ocean economy within a secured maritime domain.
This vision is further supported by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is projected to increase intra-African freight by 28 per cent and demand for maritime transport by 62 per cent.
Vice Admiral Ogalla also noted that with a significant portion of global trade passing through African waters, maritime activities contribute more than 20 per cent of national revenues for some African countries.
However, the richness of these waters and the intense economic activities within them expose our maritime domain to a range of non-traditional threats, posing significant challenges to regional stability.
The Chief of the Naval Staff said that
addressing these challenges requires a united effort which demands that African navies and coast guards must strengthen security architecture across the continent.
Sighting Nigerian efforts as an example, Vice Admiral Ogalla, said Nigeria is a key player in the fight against maritime crime with an extensive maritime domain that includes the Gulf of Guinea.
He said that with the Nigerian Navy implementation of a Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, including “Trinity-of-Action” approach that combines surveillance, rapid response and law enforcement the country made head way.
Nigeria was removed from the list of piracy-prone countries in March 2022, a status the country has maintained since then.
In conclusion, the Chief of the Naval Staff highlighted the border incentives for maritime security cooperation, nothing that securing African waters would facilitate increased trade, attract tourism and foster economic growth and prosperity.
On the environmental perspective, he said African navies must take decisive action to prevent oil spills, reduce waste dumping, and ensure sustainable fisheries management to secure long-term food security.
The security of our maritime borders is essential for regional stability and the achievement of our national objectives, he added.