The ocean is Africa’s lifeline, a vast expanse that has shaped the continent’s history and will undoubtedly steer its future. With over 30,000 kilometers of coastline and 38 coastal states, Africa is a maritime heavyweight, yet its blue wealth is often undervalued and overexploited. The challenges are monumental: maritime insecurity, pollution, and the climate crisis are ravaging Africa’s shores. But Africa isn’t just sitting back and taking it. The continent is rolling up its sleeves, proposing, innovating, and taking action. And the world is taking notice.
Africa’s maritime prowess is on full display in its ambitious regional cooperation projects and the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy. The continent is also making waves in international negotiations, with the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) being a prime example. The African Group played a pivotal role in these negotiations, securing commitments on equitable benefit sharing, capacity building, and marine technology transfer. To date, 28 African states have signed the Agreement, with several more planning to do so today at a special treaty ceremony. This is more than just a strong signal; it’s a clarion call that Africa is at the heart of ocean action.
But to fully unleash this potential, Africa needs a political and financial surge. Strengthening maritime security is paramount, given the transnational threats of piracy, arms and human trafficking, and organized crime. The United Nations, through initiatives like the Yaoundé Architecture, is supporting African efforts, contributing to a significant decline in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Africa needs ocean governance based on science and cooperation. It must combat pollution and illegal fishing, protect biodiversity, and promote renewable marine energies and sustainable aquaculture.
Connectivity is key. Africa’s oceans must become integration corridors, linking coastal and landlocked countries for shared growth. This calls for concrete investments in maritime infrastructures—interconnected, climate-resilient ports capable of meeting the needs of growing trade. Landlocked states must be connected to global value chains, ensuring no country is left behind.
But here’s the rub: for this transformation to be sustainable and equitable, historical injustices must be addressed. Investments have too often bypassed Africa, even as its marine resources were exploited by others. The Pact for the Future, adopted last September, calls for deep reforms of global financial institutions. It’s time for developing countries to be fairly represented, for a system that is more just, more supportive, and more effective. This is not just about Africa; it’s about a 21st-century global order that reflects the realities of our time.
From Dakar to Djibouti, from Cape Town to Casablanca, Africa is proving that prosperity and preservation can go hand in hand. The world needs Africa to meet the ocean’s challenges. And the ocean needs an Africa that charts its own course and navigates decisively toward the future. This news isn’t just about Africa; it’s about a blueprint for the world. It’s about how a continent, often marginalized, is stepping up, taking charge, and showing the way forward. It’s about how Africa is not just part of the solution but is leading the charge. So, buckle up, because Africa’s maritime journey is just beginning, and it’s going to be one heck of a ride.