Nigeria, June 18 -- African countries can become more prosperous if they systematically harness the enormous potentials of the blue economy in the region. However they must put in the place the right policy regime to overcome the challenges like maritime insecurity, environmental pollution and climate change.

Africa has enormous blue economy potentials. Thirty-eight African countries are coastal and island states with 13 square kilometres of ocean territory, 30,000 kilometres of coastlines and 1.5 square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). Many of these remain underexploited. Marine resources available in Africa, including freshwater bodies and oceans, can offer valuable economic opportunities such as fishing, aquaculture, seab...