AfriCan Geopardy

In this episode of AfriCan Geopardy, we explore “Maritime Cybersecurity in the Western Indian Ocean Region: The Role of the Regional Maritime Security Architecture” with Captain Harifidy A. Alex RALAIARIVONY, Director of the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC), Indian Ocean Commission. As maritime operations become increasingly digital, cybersecurity has become an essential pillar...

In this episode of AfriCan Geopardy, we explore the theme, “Party to the Plunder: Fishmeal Industries and Depleting Fisheries in Africa,” with Viviane Koutob, Programme Lead for West and Central Africa at Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT). Together, we examine the expansion of fishmeal and fish oil industries across Africa and their implications for fisheries sustainability, food security, and coastal live...

In this episode of #AfriCanGeopardy 🎙️, we discuss “Rethinking Fisheries Governance in Africa” with Dr Pieter van Welzen. Dr van Welzen is a Dutch and English-qualified lawyer and Senior Consultant at CMS South Africa, following a legal career in Amsterdam and London with Clifford Chance and Freshfields. He obtained his doctorate from the University of Hamburg in 2024, with a dissertation titled “...

This month on African Geopardy, we discussed a pressing and often uncomfortable question: who really defines the agenda of global migration policy? In this episode, “From Partners to Pawns? How Global Migration Policy Undermines African Political Agency,” I’m joined by Dr Margaret Monyani, Executive Director of the OLAM Africa Research Institute. Together, we examine Africa’s place within an incre...

In this episode, we explore “Quantifying Africa’s Oceans: Ubuntu Mathematics, Ancestral Intelligence, and the Sovereign Ledger of Maritime Wealth.” Simone Melrino Smith-Godfrey, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Applied Maritime Studies (CAMS), unveils an innovative framework to help Africa value its oceans differently. In this conversation, she breaks down Ubuntu Mathematics, reframes the ocean a...

This episode of AfriCan Geopardy examines how the global push to decarbonise shipping could reshape Africa’s trade, ports, and maritime power. Featuring Ms. Ogbugo, a maritime infrastructure and decarbonisation expert, the conversation explores whether the shipping energy transition could reinforce global inequalities—or become a strategic growth opportunity for Africa. We unpack how the IMO Net Z...

In this episode of African Geopardy, we explore “Who Creates and Gets the Value? Minerals, Energy, and Africa’s Agency” with Dr. Theo Acheampong, Technical Advisor to Ghana’s Minister of Finance. Dr. Acheampong is an economist and political risk specialist with over 15 years of experience across energy, extractives, and public finance. Together, we examine who truly creates value in Africa’s miner...

This year on African Geopardy, our conversations spanned regional integration, maritime security, youth and gender inclusion, illicit economies and community -led peace building; bringing AfriCan perspectives firmly to the centre of global security and development debates. Enjoy our final episode for the year and thanks to our guests and listeners for being generous with your time and expertise an...

In this episode, we sit down with Ambassador Fidelis Onu, Director General of the Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), to unpack how #DeltaState can harness opportunities in shipping and the blue economy to drive socio-economic growth and enhance regional security. ⚓🌊 Our conversation explored how local chambers like DACCIMA are strengthening priv...

🎙️ In this special episode of the African Geopardy Podcast, I have a conversation with Stephanie Young-Adika (Schandorf), a PhD researcher at Liverpool Hope University, as we introduce the JustSeacurity Dialogue, a collaborative webinar and dialogue series under the Just Seacurity Initiative, based at the University of St Andrews. I unpack the vision, motivation, and aspirations behind the Dialogu...

🎙️ 🎙️ AfriCan Geopardy Episode: The Role of Community Engagement and Religious Leaders in Preventing Violent Extremism and Promoting Local Peacebuilding In this episode, we explore how community voices and faith leaders can play a vital role in preventing violent extremism and fostering lasting peace at the local level. Our guest, Dr. Mountaga El Karim Diagne, is a political scientist at Senegal’s...

Welcome to the new month! In this episode of AfriCan Geopardy, we explore “Building an Equitable Blue Future in Madagascar” with Dr Paubert Mahatante, Madagascar’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy. Dr Mahatante, who holds a PhD in applied oceanography and lectures at Toliara University on oceanography, fisheries, and climate change, brings a rare blend of scientific insight and policy leader...

In this episode, we introduce you to Dr Dyhia Belhabib’s PEW fellowship project: Tracing Illegally Sourced Fish to Consumers. Dr Belhabib was awarded a PEW fellowship in 2024 in recognition of her contributions to ocean governance and sustainability issues. Dr Belhabib is not only a leading voice in tackling fisheries crime but also a Co-founder of African Geopardy. In the early days of the podcas...

🎙 In this latest episode, we explore "Empowered Together: The Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa" with Ms Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, Director of Operations at the Ghana Shippers' Authority and President of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WiMOWCA). Ms Dauda Owu shares the founding vision behind WiMOWCA, an initiative supported by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), e...

🎙️ In this episode of AfriCan Geopardy, we spotlight "Africa's Future in Focus: Empowering Youth for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding" with our guest, Ms Simone Mbodé Diouf, the African Union's Youth Ambassador for Peace in West Africa. Ms. Diouf shares her journey into the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) space, what drives her work, and the goals she is championing across the region. A seas...

Welcome to the new month and the latest episode of African Geopardy! This time, we focus on a pressing issue at the intersection of resource governance, organised crime, and security: Gold and Terrorism Financing in the Sahel. Our guest, Dr Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator – Central Africa, unpacks how illegal gold mining has become a crucial financial lifeline for...

Welcome to a new month! In this episode of African Geopardy, we explore "The Deep Blue Revolution: How Digital Technological Tools Are Transforming Maritime Security in Nigeria" with Mrs Owolabi Gladys, Head of the Deep Blue Unit at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). With over 31 years of experience in the maritime industry, she provides invaluable insights into Niger...

How do nations coordinate efforts against piracy, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes? What challenges and successes define the ICC's mission? In the February episode of AfriCan Geopardy, we explore these pressing questions in our discussion, "Coordinating for Safer Seas: Perspectives from the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) Yaoundé." with Navy Captain Bell Bell, Head of Information...

Happy New Year and welcome to the latest episode of AfriCan Geopardy. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of ECOWAS as it marks 50 years of fostering regional integration and development in West Africa. The discussion explores the transition from an "ECOWAS of States" to an "ECOWAS of the People," with our guest, Her Excellency, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah highlighting the strides made in p...

As we wrap up the year, this special episode of the African Geopardy Podcast revisits the impactful discussions and critical insights shared throughout 2024. From January to December, we explored various topics shaping geopolitical issues in Africa, including maritime safety, security, terrorism, insurgency, and fisheries sustainability. We started the year in January with an insightful conversati...

In this episode of African Geopardy, we explore "The Importance of the Upcoming Election and Fisheries Transparency for the Future of Ghana's Fishing Sector" with Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, Team Leader at the Centre for Maritime Law and Security (CEMLAWS) Africa. Drawing from his extensive experience in ocean governance, maritime security, and international law, Dr Ali shares the crucial role of Ghana's f...

In this month's episode of AfriCan Geopardy, the research team from Dr Ife Okafor-Yarwood’s PEW Fellowship Project "Creating Synergies between Indigenous Practices and Scientific Knowledge (ISIPSK)" share their reflections following a month-long field research experience. The episode was recorded on July 30th to capture the team's insights and highlight the significance of collaborative research....

In this month's episode of African Geopardy, we discussed "The strategic role of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) in advancing maritime safety and security". Our guest, Dr Paul Adalikwu, the Secretary General of MOWCA, shared his extensive knowledge and experience on the topic. During the discussion, we explored MOWCA's strategic role in addressing threats to navigation...

Welcome to AfriCan Geopardy. In this episode, we discussed "Improving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region" with Mr Hassani Ahamada Soilihi, a lawyer and maritime expert from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). Mr. Soilihi played a key role in introducing the "Safe Seas for Africa" programme, and at the IOC, he has been instrumental in advancing IOC proje...

Tune in to the latest episode of AfriCan Georpady, where we discuss “How YARIS Contributes to Better Maritime Domain Awareness and Security in the Gulf of Guinea and Plans for the Handover of Ownership and Management System to the Region” with Mr. Sam Megwa, the Strategic Director of the EU Gulf of Guinea Interregional Network (GoGIN). In this episode, Mr Sam introduces our listeners to the Yaound...