10%

Africa’s Inclusive Blue Economy

From High Seas Ratification to Continental Action

By IW:LEARN

September 26^th, 2025

In a landmark moment for Africa and the world’s ocean, Sierra Leone and Morocco recently became the 60th and 61st countries to ratify the High Seas Treaty — formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Their ratification, joining a growing cohort of African Union (AU) member states, helped push the treaty over the threshold needed for entry into force, signaling Africa’s growing leadership in global ocean governance.

This significant moment comes as the continent takes part in the Africa Blue Economy Week 2025 (ABEW25), co-hosted by the African Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Addis Ababa on 23–25 September 2025. Under the theme “From Pledges to Stronger Partnerships: Accelerating Africa's Blue Economy,” the event is set to showcase Africa’s progress, partnerships, and ambitions in harnessing its vast blue economy potential, and move conversations to actions.

A region of aquatic opportunity — and challenge

Africa’s aquatic endowments are immense: over 13 million square kilometers of exclusive economic zones (EEZ), 47,000 kilometers of coastline, and a wealth of inland water bodies. These resources underpin food security, jobs, renewable energy, marine transport, trade, tourism, and climate regulation for millions. The continent’s blue economy sectors already generate an estimated $296 billion annually and provide 49 million jobs, with projections rising to $405 billion and 57 million jobs by 2030.

Yet, the full potential of Africa’s blue economy remains underdeveloped and vulnerable to overfishing, marine pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation. Many countries face challenges in mobilizing investment, harmonizing policies, and ensuring that the benefits of the blue economy reach youth, women, and communities—whether coastal, island, or inland.

Africa’s Blue Economy is not limited to coastal nations. Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) also rely on aquatic ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands for trade, food security, and livelihoods. Their integration into regional blue economy frameworks is essential for inclusive development. Strengthening connectivity to seaports, reducing trade barriers, and improving access to aquatic resources are key to ensuring LLDCs are not left behind.

Africa’s rising leadership in ocean governance

The recent wave of High Seas Treaty ratifications by African countries is a powerful signal of Africa’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance. As of September 2025, at least 17 AU member states—including Botswana, Cabo Verde, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Seychelles, and Sierra Leone — have ratified the treaty, from over 30 African countries have signed the treaty. The momentum from the region will only keep on building.

The High Seas Treaty is a historic global agreement to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, covering nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean. For Africa, its entry into force means a stronger voice in shaping the rules and frameworks that will govern international waters for decades to come. It also opens new avenues for cooperation, capacity building, and access to resources for conservation and sustainable use.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Africa—such as Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles—are recognized as large ocean states, with EEZs that far exceed their land area. For these nations, the ocean is not only a vital source of food security and livelihoods, but also central to their identity and resilience. Islanders’ deep connection to the sea has fostered generations of knowledge and sustainable practices, making African SIDS leaders in innovative blue economy solutions. In some SIDS, fisheries account for up to 70% of exports, underscoring the critical importance of healthy, well-managed marine resources for their economies and communities.

A rock revetment protects valuable coastline in Mauritius. Photo: UNDP Mauritius & Seychelles.

Innovation and partnership in action

Africa’s blue economy is not just about governance — it’s about innovation, partnership, and action on the ground. The region is seeing a surge in ocean innovations, many supported by UNDP and the GEF. From innovative mud crab hatchery in Mozambique, to low-cost solar seaweed dryers for local communities in Tanzania, to empowering women in fish processing in the Maldives with digital market apps and in Kenya's blue livelihoods through better fish processing and value-addition methods, to near real-time detection of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) in the Mauritius, these solutions are making a tangible difference.

"Investing in our youth is investing in our future."

Africa’s blue growth empowers women, youth, and communities to lead sustainable change.

University students in Tanzania getting exposed to the potentials of innovative low-cost solar fish and seaweed dryers to support sustainable blue livelihoods. Photo: MAVUNOLAB

In Kenya, COMRED is investing in people, building a stronger dagaa industry. Dagaa processors attend training to learn valuable skills in business, leadership, and fish handling. Photo: COMRED.

Accessible and affordable solar dryers help reduced spoilage and improved dried fish and seaweed quality, improving women’s livelihoods in Tanzania. Photo: Mavunolab.

"Empower a woman, empower a generation."

Three new regional initiatives exemplify the viability of investing in Africa’s Blue Economy future, fostering cross-border cooperation among countries, development partners, and other stakeholders across the region:

African SIDS Blue Economy Project: Launched in August 2025, this $9 million project supports Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles. It aims to strengthen the capacity of African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) for regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), develop a regional blue economy database, and pilot innovative projects that create jobs and build resilience.
BCLME Climate-Resilient Blue Economy Project: Launching in October 2025, this $10.5 million initiative will mainstream climate-resilient blue economy approaches in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, shared by Namibia, South Africa, and Angola. Building on the achievements of previous GEF-UNDP projects, it will enhance ecosystem integrity, improve fisheries value chains, and support innovative financing for blue growth.
BBNJ Enabling Activities Project: Approved in May 2025, this $1.575 million initiative supports three African countries— Ghana, Tanzania, Cabo Verde — in preparing for the ratification and implementation of the High Seas Treaty. It aims to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks, promotes inclusive stakeholder engagement, and builds gender-responsive capacity for sustainable governance of marine resources in the high seas. The project also supports Belize, Chile, Philippines, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

These initiatives align with the UNDP-AU Continental Blue Economy Programme 2025–2029, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of AU member states and regional economic communities to develop inclusive blue economy pathways, create livelihood opportunities for youth and women, enhance environmental sustainability and trade, and improve coordination and data-driven decision-making through tools like the AU Blue Economy Dashboard.

Africa Blue Economy Week (ABEW): A platform for action

At the heart of these efforts is Africa Blue Economy Week—a dynamic annual platform co-hosted by the AU and UNDP. ABEW25 will bring together policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, youth, and community leaders to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and turn commitments into tangible action.

This year’s programme features high-level dialogues on policy harmonisation, investment, and innovation; showcases best practices from across the continent; and commemorates the African Day of Seas and Oceans. Special attention will be given to international waters, the High Seas Treaty, and the role of regional cooperation in shaping Africa’s blue future.

ABEW25 emphasises that the blue economy is not an option for Africa—it is a necessity for development and resilience. Effective governance, inclusive partnerships, and innovative financing are essential to unlock the continent’s aquatic potential. Youth and women are central to this vision, as are evidence-based decisions, digital innovation, and regional integration through frameworks such as the AfCFTA.

To know more about the ABEW25, click here.

Accelerating action for impact

The ratification of the High Seas Treaty by African nations is more than a diplomatic milestone—it is a call to action for Africa and the global community. As the region demonstrates its growing leadership in ocean governance, translating ambition into impact will require collective efforts from governments, regional bodies, industries, communities, and development partners.

Africa Blue Economy Week 2025 stands as the continent’s annual platform where these ambitions converge. It is where challenges are addressed, solutions are shared, and the future of Africa’s blue economy is shaped—collaboratively, inclusively, and sustainably.