Global South Pole

Africa’s Blue Economy: A Wealth of Potential Waiting to Be Harnessed

Africa’s vast coastline and rich marine resources present a game-changing economic opportunity. The Blue Economy, spanning fisheries, maritime trade, coastal tourism, and offshore energy, has the potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance food security.
Sputnik
Despite the potential of the African blue economy, it remains underdeveloped, largely due to infrastructure deficits, policies, and security challenges. Dr. Linda Etta, Senior Blue Economy Advisor at the African Union Commission, believes that Africa must take ownership of its waters through investment in modern ports, stronger maritime policies, and regional cooperation to fully harness its marine wealth.

“Africans need to not also improve their ports, but also ensure that they are linked to the Continental Free Trade Area, which is free movement of people. And that free movement also applies to the sea and modernizing port infrastructure, which will also enhance connectivity. There's also a need for improvements in smart technologies […] digitalization, we're talking of AI, blockchain now for trade facilitation. Africa needs to adopt these policies and see how they could be driven smartly. There is also a need for maritime policies. At the AU level, we have the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 that speaks to areas of maritime trade, shipping, ports, and all of that. Africans need to key into that regulatory framework. They need to sign to it. They need to align their national maritime mandates. By so doing, we're ensuring that African nations ensure that they are at the same level. And even if every country cannot be at the same level, there's a need for connectivity. There's a need for cross-fertilization from one maritime country to another,” Dr. Etta stressed.

Muntaziyah Jimale, a former Special Advisor to the President of Somalia on the Blue Economy, argued that the blue economy offers a crucial opportunity for Africa to enhance food security. By focusing on sustainable practices like aquaculture and improving logistics, the continent can better meet the growing demand for nutritious food while protecting vital marine resources.

“I believe that expanding sustainable aquaculture can reduce overfishing pressures while also improving food availability. Strengthening the cold chain logistics will also minimize post-harvesting losses and enhance food distribution. By ensuring the [implementation] of regulations against illegal fishing, [we] will protect the marine resources […] but also overall will ensure long-term sustainability and food security across the continent,” Jimale said.

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