Stella Dogubo-Ovai Assumes Office As ABER Finance Director, Pledges Transparency
Madam Stella Dogubo-Ovai, the newly appointed Director of Finance and Resource Mobilisation of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), has assumed office with a pledge to uphold transparency, accountability and professionalism.
Dogubo-Ovai, who is based in New Jersey, United States, described her appointment as both a privilege and a great responsibility.
She expressed appreciation to the Convener and Chairman of ABER, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, for the confidence reposed in her, while also thanking the board, management and members of the organisation for their support.
“To be entrusted with this position is both a privilege and a great responsibility, and I do not take it lightly,” Dogubo-Ovai said in a statement.
She said she would bring diligence, integrity, transparency and professionalism to the management of ABER’s finances.
“I will work closely with my colleagues to support its growth, stability and long-term vision,” she said.
Dogubo-Ovai also pledged to uphold the highest standards of accountability and justify the confidence placed in her.
She thanked her family, friends, mentors and former colleagues for their support and encouragement, and expressed readiness to work with members of the ABER family.
Earlier, Kiyaramo expressed confidence that Dogubo-Ovai’s international exposure, integrity and wealth of experience would strengthen ABER’s financial architecture.
He said her appointment would also contribute to advancing the organisation’s continental resource mobilisation strategy.
ABER, also known as The Blue Council Africa, is an intercontinental multi-stakeholder platform established to accelerate Africa’s Blue Economy in line with AU Agenda 2063 and the continent’s Blue Economy Strategy.
The platform also aligns its activities with the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030) and the AU Decade of Women (2020–2030).
ABER’s mandate is anchored on the three Ds of Dialogue, Deal-making and Delivery, with emphasis on policy advocacy, investment mobilisation and implementation.
The organisation works across fisheries and aquaculture, maritime security, blue tourism, marine conservation, blue finance, innovation and capacity building, as well as women and youth inclusion.
The Directorate of Finance and Resource Mobilisation is expected to strengthen ABER’s financial governance and mobilise climate finance, blue bonds, private capital and institutional funding.
It will also support financial structuring to de-risk and attract investment into Africa’s Blue Economy sectors, while promoting the long-term sustainability of The Blue Council Africa.
