… As ABER Honours 30 Heroines at World Seafarers Day in Douala
Chief Executive Officer and Convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable, ABER, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, says Africa’s maritime story is written daily by women. He described them as Guardians of Food and Income, Builders of Knowledge, Leaders Breaking the Tide, and Agents of Reconciliation.
Speaking at the World Seafarers Day Commemoration in Douala, Republic of Cameroon, Dr. Kiyaramo noted that across West, East, North, Central and Southern Africa, women handle over 60% of post-harvest fisheries work.
“In Limbe markets in Cameroon, women transform the day’s catch into nutrition, livelihoods, and education. They are seafarers of the shoreline,” he said.
Dr. Kiyaramo was represented by Captain Young Patrice, ABER Regional Facilitator for Central Africa.
Excerpts from his address:
“Today, on World Seafarers Day, the world honours the 1.8 million men and women who keep global trade afloat. For ABER, this day carries deeper meaning. It is a day to correct a narrative and to crown the unseen.
‘Seafarer’ has too long been defined by the deck of a ship. But Africa’s maritime story is written daily by women. From Cape Town to Mombasa, from Brass Island and Koluama in Bayelsa State to Zanzibar in Tanzania, African women scientists and innovators are mapping our oceans, protecting fish stocks, and decoding climate change. Research is navigation.
Women now command vessels, manage ports, and chair maritime boards. Every glass ceiling shattered at sea opens a channel for the next generation. Where oil spills, illegal fishing, and erosion spark conflict, women plant mangroves, mediate disputes, and restore trust. They turn contested waters into shared wealth.
To recognize women on World Seafarers Day is not a gesture. It is justice. It is strategy. Because when a woman of the sea rises, a family is fed, a coastline is protected, and a nation grows stronger.
ABER was conceived in 2018 with one question: ‘Where is Africa’s voice in the global blue economy?’ Today, we are a continental bridge: From classrooms to coastlines, training teachers as Ocean Stewards. From coastal communities to capital, linking women cooperatives to markets and finance. From culture to conservation, blending indigenous knowledge with science for mangrove restoration. And from conflict to cooperation, through Blue Justice Desks.
Our vision is simple and ambitious: A prosperous, just, and climate-resilient Africa where coastal communities own and benefit from their ocean wealth. This means Blue Jobs, Not Just Promises. Blue Education for All. And Blue Justice at every policy table.
Distinguished guests, as we honour seafarers today, let us also honour the women who make seafaring possible. To every woman mending nets at dawn, every captain at the helm, every scientist reading the tide, every mother processing fish under the sun — ABER sees you. Africa sees you. The ocean remembers you.
May this World Seafarers Day move us from applause to action. From recognition to remuneration. Because the future of Africa is not only green. It is blue. And it is female. Let us sail forward together.”
AWARD RESPONSE
Responding on behalf of recipients across Africa’s five regions, Head of the Women Wing of ABER, Sophie De Sylvie DJOUFA TIEMAGNI, The Captain of the Blue Future_ said:
“It is with great emotion and gratitude that I receive this award on behalf of you and the Organization on this special day celebrating seafarers. This award is not an accomplishment, but an invitation to work even harder.
Africa is called to take full advantage of the blue economy. Women must not be left behind. Together, we will succeed. The blue economy in Africa will succeed with the youth and women, or it will not succeed at all. This concerns us all.”
30 AFRICA BLUE ECONOMY HEROINES HONOURED
The high point of the event was the conferment of the Africa Blue Economy Heroine Award on Sophie De Sylvie DJOUFA TIEMAGNI, alongside 29 other outstanding women in maritime across the five regions of Africa.
At the 2026 World Seafarers Day in Douala, ABER honoured 30 women whose work is rewriting Africa’s maritime story. From the shoreline to the boardroom, the laboratory to the bridge, these Heroines are Guardians of Food, Builders of Knowledge, Leaders Breaking the Tide, and Agents of Reconciliation.
The 2026 Africa Blue Economy Heroines:
Policy, Security & Governance
- Dr. Karen Sumser-Lipson ( Chairman and Commissioner, African Maritime Safety and Security Agency, AMSSA, United Kingdom)
- Dr. Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, PhD (African Maritime Safety and Security Agency, AMSSA)
- Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie (Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana)
- Hon. Emelia Arthur (Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ghana)
- Hon. Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Esq. (Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana)
- Dr. Helen Inafa Bob “Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Nigeria
- Princess Nere Emiko Tereba (Nigeria)
Education, Science & Academia
- Engr. Prof. Ongoebi Maureen Orubide Etebu (Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) in Okerenkoko, Delta State.
- Dr. Stephanie Waniko (National Oceanographic Institute, Nigeria)
- Dr. Chizoba Anyika ( NIMASA, Nigeria)
- Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin (Pioneer State Commissioner for Marine & Blue Economy inNigeria)
- Capt. Ndeye Aby Gueye (Commander, Presidential Boat; President, Female Seafarers Association of Dakar, Senegal)
- Capt. Zanele Madiba (South Africa)
- Capt. Makhosi Mbokazi (South Africa)
- Lt. ANDRIANASOLO Vola Henintsoa (Malagasy National Navy, Madagascar)
- Pascaline Odoubourou ( CEO, Maritime Africa)
- Chief (Dame) Ebiyemi Omatseye (Chairman, Warri Blue Economy Development Initiative, Nigeria)
- Leila Ben Hassen (CEO, Blue Jay Catalyst Ltd, Tunisia)
- Okuhle Mbangwa (South Africa)
- Haule Filikunjombe (Tanzania)
- Deaconess Rita Solaris Nkotariah (Nigeria)
- Biubwa Omar Khamis (Tanzania)
- Esther Kai Nmah (Liberia)
- Snr. Comr. Odede Dinikpete Tina (Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria (ACWCN)
- FIRAVOANARIVO Vololoniankinana (WOMESA, Madagascar)
- RANDRIAMALAZA Anjanirina Nadia (Madagascar)
- RAKOTOARISOA Ruffine Harisoa (Madagascar)
- Hanitra Andriantsoa (President, WOMESA Madagascar)
- Bralatei Christian Ogunu
(Mabeta Limbe, Cameroon)
Headline Awardee
- Sophie De Sylvie DJOUFA TIEMAGNI (Head, Women Wing, ABER Cameroon and Captain of the Blue Future)
