CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 17, 2024 – From Tuesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 17, the Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, joined naval leaders from across the African continent at the 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium (SPAS) to discuss strategies for securing Africa’s maritime domain.
The symposium, themed “Good Order at Sea in the African Maritime Domain,” focused on the importance of maritime security in driving economic growth and tackling non-traditional threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes.
Vice Admiral Ogalla, accompanied by Rear Admiral Noel Musa Madugu, the Naval Director of Administration, and Commodore Chikaji Aminu Isah, Nigeria’s Defence Attaché to South Africa, represented Nigeria at the high-level gathering of African naval chiefs.
Africa’s Maritime Wealth and Potential
In his keynote address, Vice Admiral Ogalla underscored the vast potential of Africa’s maritime resources, which are projected to generate over USD 405 billion by 2030. He noted that coastal tourism alone is expected to contribute USD 100 million and create over 57 million jobs across the continent. He emphasized the need for sustainable management of these resources to drive economic growth and ensure food security.
Ogalla highlighted the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) as a roadmap for fostering wealth creation through the development of an ocean economy within a secure maritime environment. He also noted the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is expected to increase intra-African freight by 28% and boost demand for maritime transport by 62%.
With a significant portion of global trade passing through African waters, Ogalla pointed out that maritime activities contribute over 20% of national revenues for some African countries. However, the richness of Africa’s waters also exposes the continent to various non-traditional threats, including piracy and illegal fishing, which threaten regional stability.
Nigeria’s Role in Maritime Security
Addressing these challenges, Vice Admiral Ogalla called for stronger security cooperation among African navies and coast guards. He pointed to Nigeria’s leadership in the fight against maritime crime, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigerian Navy’s Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, which includes a “Trinity-of-Action” approach—combining surveillance, rapid response, and law enforcement—has been instrumental in removing Nigeria from the list of piracy-prone countries in 2022, a status it has maintained.
Maritime Security and Economic Growth
Vice Admiral Ogalla stressed that enhanced maritime security would not only protect African waters but also promote increased trade, attract tourism, and foster economic prosperity. He called on African navies to take decisive action to prevent oil spills, reduce waste dumping, and ensure sustainable fisheries management to safeguard long-term food security.
“The security of our maritime borders is essential for regional stability and achieving our national objectives,” Ogalla said. He concluded by noting that the 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium had opened new avenues for effective collective action among African states to protect and utilize their maritime resources.
, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, joined naval leaders from across the African continent at the 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium (SPAS) to discuss strategies for securing Africa’s maritime domain.){kind=link}