Madagascar/2nd edition of the Forum of Young Africans on the Blue Economy (FOJAEB) Madagascar proudly takes up the challenge (Curtains fell on the 2nd edition of FOJAEB in Toliara on April 19, 2025).
After three days of intense work featuring panels, round tables, a youth hackathon, children's film screenings, a gala dinner, Best For Africa Awards and a sightseeing tour, the 2nd edition of the Forum des Jeunes Africains sur l'économie bleue (FOJAEB) came to a close on April 19, 2025, with a ceremony as rich in artistic color as the opening.
Several highlights marked the closing ceremony of the 2nd edition of FOJAEB. It included the reading and adoption of resolutions, the presentation of a vote of thanks, the awarding of prizes to the young Malagasy winners of the competition organized as part of the youth hackathon, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Pan-African Youth Organization for the Blue Economy (OPJEB) and several universities.(MOU) between the Pan-African Youth Organization for the Blue Economy (OPJEB) and several universities and centers of excellence for training and enhancing the employability of young Africans in the various sub-sectors of the blue economy.
Consolidating the roadmap adopted in Lomé
The 2nd edition of the Forum des Jeunes Africains sur l'économie bleue (FOJAEB) is resolutely committed to concrete action to implement the roadmap adopted at the first FOJAEB meeting in Lomé.dition of FOJAEB in Lomé (Togo), whose overall objective is to accelerate sustainable and inclusive blue growth for Africa through education, training and innovation in aquatic environments. Concrete actions include the launch of a pilot project for the Programme d'Inclusion des Jeunes dans l'Économie Bleue (PIJEB) in Africa. On the sidelines of the closing ceremony, the Pan-African Youth Organization for the Blue Economy (OPJEB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with several youth centers in Africa.(MOU) with several renowned centers of excellence and universities, including the Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM), the Centre Européen de Formation Continue Maritime (CEFCM), the Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Maritimes (IHSM) and the University of Toliara, with a view to enhancing young Africans' knowledge of the oceans and the blue economy in general, through training and incubation programs.
Actions to enhance the employability of young Malagasy people in the blue economy
One of the parallel sessions of the 2nd edition of the African Youth Forum on the Blue Economy (FOJAEB) was dedicated to Malagasy youth. It was a hackathon to strengthen the employability of young people, organized in the afternoon of Thursday April 17, 2025 with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Centre d'affaires de la région Sud-ouest (CARSO). The event brought together young entrepreneurs from all regions of Madagascar, trained and supported to propose concrete solutions to the challenges of the blue economy. The hackathon was an opportunity to train and raise awareness among a new generation of young Malagasy entrepreneurs about the challenges of the sustainable blue economy. Participants benefited from technical support, coaching sessions and advice to structure their ideas and strengthen the viability of their projects. The diversity of themes and the local roots of the projects proposed by the young people at the end of the training course testify to their commitment to taking part in the development dynamic of their region as well as that of the country as a whole. The young people targeted major issues such as raising awareness among fishermen, sustainable management of fishery resources, recycling plastic and organic waste, and modernizing fishing and aquaculture. Several projects focused on environmental education, caged fry and tilapia production in Antsiranana, and innovative solutions such as "Aquagaz Madagascar", a unit for converting fish excrement into biogas. Following selection by a jury of experts and professionals, first prize went to the "Soky e" (sea urchin) project, led by 24-year-old Herisoa Maminiaina Tolojonahary, a young entrepreneur based in Toliara. Soky e" is a concept for a restaurant specializing in sea urchins in Toliara, aimed at valorizing a local resource while developing an innovative gastronomic sector. The best projects selected were all awarded prizes at the FOJAEB closing ceremony.s ranging from 1,500 euros to 2,000 euros, cell phones and many other prizes donated by FOJAEB partners.
Key speeches to close FOJAEB 2025
For Ernest TINDO, President of OPJEB and General Commissioner of FOJAEB, the objectives set were achieved and the 2nd edition of FOJAEB improved on all the performances recorded during the first edition. Madagascar has risen to the challenge," he concluded, reiterating his thanks to all involved. As for Dicko Hamacire, Country Economist for the African Development Bank (ADB) in Madagascar, who spoke on behalf of technical and financial partners, all TFPs are available to support the ambitions of African governments and accompany initiatives in the blue economy sector. Abdoulah Marson Moustapha, Minister of Youth and Sports, emphasized that the FOJAEB echoed all the way to the United Nations, where he attended the Youth Forum on Education and the Economy (ECOSOC) in New York. It's simply an international success," he concluded, praising the efforts of the various teams who worked to achieve this result. Minister Paubert Mahatante, very pleased with the success of FOJAEB in his country, praised the commitment and creativity of the young people: "This is the kind of project we expect from our young people. Small and big projects to make the country and Africa shine. ". He stressed the need to act together, to go far, before officially declaring the 2nd edition of the African Youth Forum on the Blue Economy (FOJAEB) closed.
The salutary commitment of governmental and regional authorities to Malagasy and African youth
The Minister of Youth and Sports, M. Abdoulah Marson Moustapha, who had just returned to the country after taking part in the Youth Forum on Education and the Economy (ECOSOC) in New York, immediately flew to Toliara to attend the closing ceremony of FOJAEB. Toliara to attend the closing ceremony of this major international meeting, co-organized by his ministerial department and the Ministry of Fishing and the Blue Economy. He was joined by several members of the Malagasy government, including Rafaravavitafika Rasata, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramonjavelo Manambahoaka Valéry, Minister of Transport and Meteorology, Viviane Dewa, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Ralambofiringa, Minister of the Environment, and the Minister of the Environment.Artisanat, Ralambofiringa David Herizo, Ministre de l'Industrialisation et du Commerce and Fontaine Max Andonirina, Ministre de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable were all heavily involved in the preparation and holding of FOJAEB. The FOJAEB was approved by the Council of Ministers on December 18, 2024, under the effective presidency of His Excellency Andry Rajoelina, President de la République de Madagascar, Chef de l'Etat and His Excellency Mr. Ntsay Christian, Prime Minister of the Republic of Madagascar, Chef du Gouvernement.
In addition to the strong government presence, the event was also attended by the Honourable Deputy of Ampanihy, Razafiarison Andriamanantena, President of the Research Commission within the National Assembly, and the entire Governorate of the Atsimo-Andrefana Region.
The FOJAEB is also a preparatory stage for the "YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2025", scheduled to take place in Madagascar from November 26 to 30. This continental summit will focus on the theme: "The Africa we deserve".
Source: matinlibre.com/
