The ECOWAS Commission held an interactive Brown Bag Seminar on “Geopolitics and the Blue Economy in West Africa” at its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. The seminar examined how maritime interests, governance issues, regional cooperation, and external influence affect peace, stability, and policymaking across West Africa.
Opening the seminar, Director of Political Affairs, Dr Babatunde Afolabi, said the Brown Bag Seminar provides an important platform for strengthening knowledge-sharing within the institution on emerging regional issues. He explained that the initiative connects academic research with policy practice by encouraging informed discussions among ECOWAS staff and key stakeholders.
Dr. Afolabi also pointed to the growing involvement of external actors and foreign interests in the region through development partnerships. While these partnerships can create jobs and support infrastructure development, he stressed that they could become exploitative if West African countries do not adopt a clear and coordinated approach to protecting their maritime resources and strategic interests.
During the keynote presentation, Dr Seiyefa Ebimboere, Acting Head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Baze University, Abuja, presented a historical overview of the blue economy in West Africa from the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial periods. She examined the role of maritime power, shipping, seaports, and maritime spaces in shaping political, economic, and military interests across the region.
Dr. Ebimboere also outlined major challenges facing the sector, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; the operations of distant-water fishing fleets; marine pollution caused by toxic waste disposal; and limited aquaculture storage infrastructure. She highlighted the significant economic potential of the blue economy and noted that stronger regional cooperation and sustainable management of maritime resources would benefit both coastal and landlocked ECOWAS Member States.
The seminar brought together participants from different directorates of the ECOWAS Commission, development partners, and civil society organisations, creating an opportunity for cross-sector discussions. Participants exchanged ideas on practical ways to strengthen regional security, improve governance and policy coordination, and unlock the potential of the blue economy to support sustainable development across West Africa.
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source: ECOWAS
