‘How NDFF confab will boost economy’ 

Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) 2024 Conference is set to strengthen the momentum for Nigeria’s economic growth and catalyse development in the country’s blue and green economies, the organisers have said.

With the theme, ‘The Road to Economic and Social Welfare Transformation’, the high-level gathering of public, private, social and international sector leaders is billed for May 8 and 9, 2024, in Abuja.

Director of NDFF, Jide Akintunde, stated: “The overarching aim of the conference is to provide a strong backing for a holistic and transformative reform agenda for the Nigerian economy to foster sustainable economic progress.

“Besides addressing broader issues of fiscal policy for job creation, revitalising industries and markets, as well as health and social welfare, we will host two industry-focused sessions on the blue and green economies.”

According to NDFF, the worldwide blue or ocean economy, which encompasses all economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts, is valued at around $1.5 trillion per year and is set to double by 2030 to $3 trillion.

“Among the recent impetuses for higher growth prospects of the Nigerian blue economy is the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the extension of the Nigerian seaward continental boundaries from 200 to 220 nautical miles by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

“The Nigerian blue economy still requires more policy support, market frameworks, and investments to deliver on the prospects of the sector. The conference will, therefore, bring stakeholders together to address the challenges and provide insights for harnessing the growth opportunities in the sector,” NDFF said.