Abuja, Nigeria –
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) – The Blue Council Africa, has announced the appointment of Her Royal Highness Queen Nosipho Mthembu of Durban, South Africa, as Director for Blue Sovereignty & Traditional Ocean Governance, with concurrent designation as Deputy Vice Chairperson, ABER Women Forum.
The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed in a letter signed by the Convener and Chairman of ABER, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo.
The appointment is in recognition of HRH Queen Mthembu’s distinguished profile as a Royal Diplomat and Pan-African Economic Stateswoman. She currently serves as National Coordinator of the African Royal Traditional Leadership Council (ARTLC); Deputy Director, Africa Royal Kingdoms for International Cooperation; Head of Protocol and Diplomacy, State of the African Diaspora (SOAD); Partner, Pan-African Parliament; and Minister of Mining and Blue Economy, Alkebulan Hieratic Government.
Background to the Mandate
Africa’s 38 coastal states and vast inland waters hold immense blue wealth, yet more than 70% of coastal communities remain excluded from formal ocean governance. Traditional rulers remain custodians of over 80% of customary coastal lands, sacred marine sites and indigenous knowledge systems, but have never been formally integrated into Africa’s Blue Economy architecture.
ABER was established to close this critical gap. The Directorate of Blue Sovereignty & Traditional Ocean Governance is the cornerstone of ABER’s uniqueness.
The mandate was created to achieve four strategic objectives: To Legitimize Traditional Authority in Ocean Governance: For centuries, Royal Kingdoms have governed oceans through customary marine tenure, taboos and seasonal conservation practices. The Directorate will formally integrate these systems into national and continental policy, in line with AU Agenda 2063 and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy.
To Develop Africa’s First Charter on Traditional Marine Stewardship: Under HRH Queen Mthembu’s leadership, ABER will draft and adopt a continental Charter that codifies indigenous knowledge, community ownership and heritage conservation as legal foundations for blue investment.
To Secure Royal Endorsement as a Continental Standard: As the first Blue Economy body in Africa officially endorsed by Traditional Rulers, ABER secures unmatched community trust, social licence for investors and grassroots delivery capacity.
To Link Heritage to Livelihoods: The Directorate will drive community-based blue projects that convert heritage conservation into tangible livelihoods for women and youth in fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism and blue trade.
In her dual role, HRH Queen Mthembu will support the Chairperson of the ABER Women Forum in championing women royal leaders in maritime logistics, fisheries and blue trade, and in mobilising Queens and women traditional leaders for inclusive ocean governance.
Her Royal Highness will work directly with the Office of the Convener and is expected to uphold ABER’s core principles of diligence, integrity, transparency and professionalism, anchored on the Council’s 3Ds – Dialogue, Deal-making and Delivery.
The management and Board of Trustees of BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI) sponsors of ABER warmly welcome Her Royal Highness to The Blue Council Africa and express confidence in her capacity to advance a secure, inclusive, climate-resilient and investable Blue Economy for Africa and the Diaspora.
Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo
Director, Communication & Public Affairs
Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER).
