Sierra Leone Advocates Stronger Policies, Regional Cooperation to Unlock Africa’s Blue Economy
Sierra Leone has called on African countries to strengthen maritime governance, policies and regional cooperation to convert the continent’s vast blue economy potential into integrated maritime corridors capable of driving trade, investment, jobs and economic growth.
The country’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fande Turay, made the call on Thursday at the maiden edition of the Blue Africa Conference and Exhibition in Lagos.
Turay said Africa’s maritime transformation required more than infrastructure, stressing the need for effective governance, coherent policies, regulatory certainty and stronger regional cooperation. He noted that Africa’s oceans, coastlines, rivers and lakes are major economic assets supporting trade, food security, livelihoods, biodiversity, energy and access to global markets.
However, he said fragmented markets, inadequate connectivity and limited value creation continue to prevent the continent from fully harnessing its maritime resources.
The minister urged African governments to develop policies that promote value addition, strengthen local maritime industries and create an enabling environment for investment in ports, logistics, fisheries, digital systems and other ocean-based industries.
Turay stressed that African ports must become interconnected centres of trade, production and logistics rather than operate as isolated gateways. He identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as an opportunity to strengthen maritime connectivity and integrate African markets, noting that efficient ports, harmonised policies and reliable maritime corridors would support increased intra-African trade.
The minister also called for stronger regional cooperation in maritime safety and security, fisheries management, digitalisation, environmental protection and port development. He said Sierra Leone’s maritime priorities include modernising and digitalising the maritime and transport sectors, improving port efficiency, strengthening maritime safety and security, and enhancing regional connectivity.
Turay further highlighted the need to invest in African maritime professionals, including seafarers, engineers, port managers, logistics specialists, fisheries experts and entrepreneurs, while expanding opportunities for young people and women. He warned that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, marine pollution, coastal erosion, climate change and unsustainable exploitation threaten Africa’s blue economy ambitions.
The minister urged governments to work with development finance institutions, investors and the private sector to develop credible, bankable projects and attract investment into sustainable ocean industries.
Turay said Africa must move from potential to production, policy to implementation and fragmented markets to integrated maritime corridors, ensuring that the continent’s maritime resources translate into jobs, businesses and prosperity.
He stressed that Africa’s oceans should serve as strategic links between economies, transforming the waters separating African shores into highways connecting the continent’s maritime prosperity.
