AFMESI Calls for Institutionalisation of ESG Frameworks to Drive Sustainable Blue Economy in Africa

The African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) has urged the Federal Government and private sector stakeholders to institutionalise Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks as essential tools for governance, investment, and accountability in Africa’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

The announcement came during AFMESI’s 5th Annual Symposium, held virtually under the theme “The Role of ESG in Maritime and the Blue Economy.” The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and development partners to explore how ESG principles can strengthen ocean governance, promote investment, and ensure sustainability across the continent.

AFMESI President and Founder, Mrs. Felicia Mogo, a former Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, emphasized the need for a comprehensive ESG master plan to guide Nigeria’s transition to a sustainable blue economy.

“We must not only extract value from the oceans but also protect, regenerate, and sustain the environment we depend on,” she said, stressing the importance of transparency, institutional capacity, and inclusive participation across the maritime value chain.

In the keynote address, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, proposed the establishment of an ESG Fund and an ESG Audit System to track government and corporate performance in marine sustainability.

“Without measurable indicators and dedicated funding, ESG will remain rhetoric rather than a transformative tool,” he said. Ezemonye also pledged to integrate ESG principles and blue economy studies into university curricula nationwide, while advocating for data-driven innovation, artificial intelligence, and green technology in maritime development.

Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede commended AFMESI for its leadership in promoting ESG adoption, noting that it aligns with national policy priorities and sustainable ocean resource management.

Mr. Aminu Umar, Chairman of the event and President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, emphasized that ESG principles are central to Africa’s sustainable development.

Africa is burdened by pollution, climate change, and over exploitation. ESG isn’t just best practice; it’s our compass toward sustainable growth, he said.

The symposium also featured the launch of Sustainable Ocean Resilience for African Communities (SORAC), an IOC–UNESCO-endorsed programme aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), and unveiled Blue Horizon, AFMESI’s flagship magazine dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth in the blue economy.

Participants, including representatives from the African Development Bank and UNESCO’s IOCAFRICA, expressed commitment to funding ESG initiatives and embedding African-led solutions into global ocean sustainability agendas.

The symposium concluded with a collective resolve to deepen ESG adoption, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and position Africa as a leader in sustainable ocean governance, marking a critical step from blue economy aspiration to actionable implementation.

AFMESI, a pan-African non-profit, was established to address gaps in marine protection, infrastructure, and human capacity across the continent. Its recognition by IOC, UNESCO, combined with its strategic initiatives, underscores Africa’s readiness to transition ESG principles from policy to practice in the maritime sector.