From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has inaugurated the African Traditional Leaders Council (ATLC) at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 12, 2026.
The inauguration, described as the first of its kind in the African diaspora, brought together traditional kingdoms and indigenous institutions under a continental platform.
The ABER Convener and Founder, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, commended HRH Princess Dr Nikiwe Bam, ABER Special Envoy on African Traditional Institutions and the Diaspora and Founder of Afrikan Indigenous Leaders (AIL), for her visionary leadership in bringing together more than 46 kingdoms and indigenous institutions to establish the council.
Describing the establishment of the ATLC as a significant development for Africa’s Blue Economy, Dr Kiyaramo stressed that sustainable ocean and water governance could not be achieved without the involvement of traditional institutions.
Speaking on the strategic importance of the council, he described traditional leaders as the missing link in community sensitisation and ownership of Blue Economy initiatives.
He highlighted several roles traditional institutions could play, including serving as custodians of coastal and riverine communities, noting that traditional leaders are directly connected to creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters where Blue Economy projects are implemented.
According to him, their endorsement is essential for securing community acceptance and local ownership of such projects.
He also identified community sensitisation as another critical responsibility, explaining that traditional leaders could use trusted indigenous communication systems to educate fisherfolk, youths and women on sustainable fishing, conservation, aquaculture and anti-piracy practices.
On indigenous knowledge systems, Dr Kiyaramo noted that traditional institutions preserve valuable knowledge relating to ocean governance, weather forecasting and biodiversity conservation, which could complement modern scientific approaches.
He further explained that the council’s role in peacebuilding, mediation and conflict prevention would help create a conducive environment for Blue Economy investments in coastal and lake communities.
The ABER Convener also highlighted the importance of traditional leaders in safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly through the development of smart blue tourism initiatives that promote cultural preservation and community-owned tourism assets.
“The Blue Economy will not be built in boardrooms alone. It will be built in the communities, and traditional leaders are the gateway to those communities,” Dr Kiyaramo stated.
Meanwhile, the Addis Ababa Declaration, presented by H.E. Dr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro IX of Nigeria, and adopted by acclamation, establishes the ATLC as an independent, voluntary and non-partisan continental body.
The council is expected to complement government efforts and advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063, including objectives relating to reparatory justice and indigenous economic development.
ABER also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the ATLC through the Office of its Special Envoy to mainstream traditional institutions into Africa’s Blue Economy agenda.
