Akwa Ibom State will in February 2026 host one of the most significant blue economy gatherings in Africa as former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mr. Mehdi Jomaa, former president of the World Ocean Council, Mr. Paul Holthus, and other global experts converge for the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit.
The three-day summit is scheduled for 9–11 February 2026 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, with a target of mobilising $10 billion to implement a five-year Blue Economy Roadmap for the Niger Delta.
The summit, themed “Harnessing Blue Economy Potentials for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta – Setting the Agenda for Shared Prosperity, Sustainability and Resilience,” aims to reposition the region as a central driver of Africa’s emerging blue economy.
Mehdi Jomaa will deliver the keynote address, while other confirmed speakers include Paul Holthus, Rear Admiral Lambert (rtd), former National Hydrographer, Ian Mcfadzen of Ocean Conservation Trust, and Professor Pierre Failler of the Centre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, UK.
Senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Ministry of Regional Development, as well as development partners and regional agencies have indicated strong interest in participating.
Confirming preparations, co-convener of the summit, Dr. Uche Igwe, described the event as “long overdue,” stressing that it would provide a platform for mobilising investment, restoring the environment, creating jobs and improving livelihoods in the oil-producing region.
Also speaking, senior lawyer and blue economy consultant, Mr. Kingdom Blessing, applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, noting that the summit would help translate policy into community-level benefits.
Lead organiser and co-founder of NLA International, Mr. Jonathan Turner, said the summit was deliberately designed to be inclusive, bringing together political leaders, private sector players, civil society and host communities.
Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd), said the Niger Delta possesses enormous untapped tourism and maritime opportunities and must look beyond oil for sustainable prosperity.
Summit Director for Africa Partnerships, Ms. Tshego Motsoenyane, noted that the summit would draw lessons from countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Mauritius.
One of the major highlights will be the launch of the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Fund.
Global Blue Economy Leaders to Converge on Niger Delta as $10bn Investment Summit Holds in February
