AU-IBAR and FiTI Advance Sustainable Marine Fisheries through Enhanced Data and Governance Cooperation

Praia, Cabo Verde | 14–16 October 2025
Theme: Sustainable Marine Fisheries through Transparency and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
The Regional Workshop for Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) National Multi-Stakeholder Groups (MSGs) and Secretariats in Africa was held from 14–16 October 2025, in Praia, Cabo Verde. Organised by the FiTI International Secretariat in collaboration with AU-IBAR and the Government of Cabo Verde, the workshop brought together over 40 participants from five African FiTI-implementing countries — Cabo Verde, Madagascar, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles — as well as representatives from AU-IBAR, regional organisations, and international partners. The workshop aimed to strengthen the operational effectiveness of national MSGs, foster transparency and accountability in marine fisheries governance, and promote cross-country knowledge exchange on sustainable fisheries management.
Opening Remarks
Delivered on behalf of the Director, Dr Huyam Salih, Mrs Hellen Guebama, the opening remarks extended AU-IBAR’s warm welcome. They reaffirmed their strong commitment to advancing sustainable marine resource management through transparency, data-driven governance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Mrs Hellen Guebama underscored the importance of transparency as a foundation for accountability and sustainable management, aligning the FiTI process with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), the African Blue Economy Strategy, and Agenda 2063. She also applauded the leadership of the Government of Cabo Verde and acknowledged the European Union for its continued support of AU-IBAR’s initiatives.
“Transparency is not just an administrative principle; it is the cornerstone of trust and sustainability. Governments must make all fisheries-related data publicly available, enabling civil society, investors, and communities to engage meaningfully in shaping the future of our oceans.”
AU-IBAR’s partnership with FiTI, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, was emphasised as a vehicle for promoting shared principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance in Africa’s marine resources.
Workshop Structure
The workshop aimed to enhance the operational effectiveness of National Multi-Stakeholder Groups, examine global changes to the Fisheries Information System (FIS), and strengthen the impact of national FiTI implementations. It also focused on the African Fisheries and Aquaculture Database (AFAData) and the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS). The final sessions focused on lessons learned and opportunities for continued collaboration.
This comprehensive agenda ensured that participants not only shared experiences but also left with actionable strategies and practical tools to enhance fisheries governance and transparency in their respective countries.
Highlights and Outcomes
- National Leads presented country progress reports, highlighting successes, lessons learned, and challenges in advancing transparency.
- AU-IBAR showcased AFAData, strengthening the link between FiTI’s transparency standard and Africa’s data-driven fisheries governance frameworks.
- Participants piloted FiTI’s Participatory Toolkit, enhancing their understanding of participatory monitoring and stakeholder inclusion.
- AU-IBAR’s sessions aligned FiTI implementation with continental strategies such as the PFRS and the Blue Economy Strategy, reinforcing coherence between national, regional, and continental priorities.
- Delegates developed “take-home” action plans to sustain the workshop’s momentum, demonstrating a shared resolve to strengthen transparency and cooperation across Africa’s marine fisheries sector.
Conclusion
The Praia workshop underscored the critical role of transparency, collaboration, and information-sharing in building sustainable and inclusive marine fisheries governance in Africa. Through its strategic partnership with FiTI, AU-IBAR continues to empower African Union Member States to achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water). In words of AU-IBAR:
“Let us continue to work hand in hand—governments, civil society, and the private sector—to ensure that our oceans remain productive, transparent, and sustainable for generations to come.”