Daisy Makwaia Edwards
Edited by Blue Economy Magazine
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), today announced the appointment of Mrs. Daisy Makwaia Edwards, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Heylo Group Limited as National Coordinator of ABER for the United Republic of Tanzania. The appointment takes immediate effect.
The appointment is in recognition of her distinguished expertise, exceptional leadership competence, and outstanding contributions to the Blue Economy, particularly in the areas of Ports & Logistics and Maritime Policy & Law.
The Council notes with pride that Mrs. Edwards is the first woman to pioneer cruise tourism in Tanzania, thereby closing a long-standing gap in the maritime tourism value chain.
In 2024, she founded Heylo Group Limited with a clear mandate to position East Africa as a world-class cruise destination within the broader Blue Economy agenda. Through strategic engagement with maritime stakeholders, she has advanced port readiness, promoted safety standards, and strengthened regional cooperation – fostering inclusive economic growth and redefining sustainable development.
Her leadership continues to drive innovation in shipping and seafaring while ensuring tangible benefits for coastal communities. By linking global cruise tourism industry expertise with the untapped potential of East African destinations, she exemplifies visionary leadership that is redefining sustainable maritime development and inspiring greater participation of women in Blue Economy leadership across Africa.
As National Coordinator for Tanzania, Mrs. Edwards shall
serve as the official representative and focal point of ABER in the United Republic of Tanzania; coordinate all ABER Country Chapter activities, national dialogues, and stakeholder engagements in alignment with AU Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, and Tanzania’s National Blue Economy Policy; provide high-level policy advisory support on ports, logistics, cruise tourism, maritime law, and coastal development; lead the establishment and operationalization of the ABER Tanzania National Secretariat and drive membership mobilization across government, private sector, academia, women and youth constituencies; liaise with the Ministry of Transport, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Shipping Agency Corporation (TASAC), and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies; mobilize strategic partnerships and resources and submit quarterly reports to the Regional Vice President for East Africa and the Continental Secretariat; coordinate Tanzania’s official participation in ABER flagship programmes, including the ABER Continental Summit and ABER Women’s Forum (ABEWF).
The appointment is for an initial term of two (2) years, renewable based on performance. The Chairman, Board of Trustees, BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI) and Convener/Chairman of ABER Council, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, expressed confidence that her pioneering spirit, institutional network, and unwavering passion for Tanzania’s maritime future will add immense value to ABER’s collective vision of One Africa. One Ocean. One Prosperous Future.
