By Godwin Oritse

Africa’s drive toward a sustainable blue economy has received a major boost with a new partnership between the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) and the Development of Ocean Technical Capacity with African Nations (DOTCAN), aimed at strengthening ocean technical capacity across the continent.

The collaboration, anchored on the WYTEC Blue Programme, is designed to equip African nations with critical marine and ocean-related technical skills needed to sustainably manage their coastal and marine resources.

Through targeted training, knowledge transfer and institutional support, the programme seeks to close long-standing capacity gaps that have limited Africa’s ability to fully harness opportunities within the blue economy.

AFMESI and DOTCAN in a statement said that the initiative would focus on empowering professionals, institutions and policymakers, while promoting environmentally responsible practices that align economic growth with marine conservation. By building a skilled ocean workforce, the partners aim to position African countries to play a more active role in global maritime governance and ocean sustainability efforts.

The WYTEC Blue Programme is expected to serve as a platform for regional cooperation, innovation and long-term capacity development, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to protecting its marine environment while unlocking the economic potential of its oceans.

The Women and Youth Technical Capacity for the Blue Economy (WYTEC Blue) programme, a joint initiative of the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI), Nigeria, and the Development of Ocean Technical Capacity with African Nations (DOTCAN), Canada, has been launched to strengthen ocean-related technical skills among women and young people.

The programme, which commenced on November 15, 2025, brought together 20 carefully selected Nigerian trainees alongside participants from Sierra Leone and Canada, reflecting its cross-border and collaborative focus.

WYTEC Blue is structured around three core learning streams—Ocean Science and Technology, Blue Economy Enablers, and Leadership and Entrepreneurship—designed to equip participants with advanced technical competencies, policy awareness and leadership skills relevant to the evolving blue economy sector.

According to the organisers, the initiative aims to address critical capacity gaps in marine and ocean governance while creating pathways for international exposure, including potential technical exchange opportunities in Canada for outstanding participants.

AFMESI and DOTCAN noted that the programme underscores their shared commitment to empowering women and youth, fostering innovation and promoting sustainable development within Africa’s marine and coastal sectors.

The programme is expected to conclude with a closing ceremony scheduled for March 7, 2026, where participants will present outcomes from their training and formally graduate from the initiative.

The training recently moved from the classroom to the field with an aquaculture study visit that capped the Sustainable Aquaculture module, giving participants firsthand exposure to industrial operations and practical insights into commercial aquaculture.
Describing the initiative as a tool for empowerment, President of the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI), Dr (Mrs) Felicia Chinwe Mogo, said the WYTEC Blue programme was designed to equip women and youth with the technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to drive Africa’s blue economy.

As the programme nears its conclusion, the Ocean Science and Technology stream will focus on biological data collection and ocean floor mapping, while the Blue Economy Enablers stream will cover port operations and risk management. The Leadership and Entrepreneurship stream will meanwhile address scaling strategies and financial planning.