By Seleman Yusuph Kitenge

Africa is one of the most blessed continents in the world in terms of its potential marine and terrestrial natural resources. However, most of these riches, particularly the marine resources which contribute to the Blue Economy, are yet to be responsibly utilised to foster the economic transformation of a rich yet poor continent in the world.

In most African countries, terrestrial resources seem to receive closer attention by governments and other stakeholders to the extent that certain conflicts and political instability in some parts of the continent result from such resources.

On the other hand, the marine resources which include freshwater bodies and oceans can offer significant economic opportunities such as fisheries, seabed mining, oil drilling, aquaculture, trade, and tourism which can drastically transform Africa’s future. However, despite many of the marine resources being utilised, some of the resources (such as marine fisheries) are over-utilised or improperly used through destructive fishing methods etc.  Moreover, the issue of planning and management (governance) of the aquatic ecosystems, goods and services is poor which is resulting in degradation of ecosystems, loss and waste of valuable resources and conflicts between users (i.e. between fishers and mining concerns etc.).

Notably, thirty-eight of Africa’s 54 states are coastal, and maritime zones under Africa’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, Africa’s lake zones are estimated to cover approximately 240,000 sq km while its transboundary river basins cover 64% of the continent’s land area. The African Union highlights that over 90% of Africa’s imports and exports were transported by sea, making the continent a strategic gateway for both regional and international trade.

Subsequently, with the vast ocean and lake resources at its front door, African countries have a huge opportunity to diversify their economies and address the risks of relying on specific economic sectors which limit their chances to promote socio-economic development. Such economic diversification, if planned and managed in an equitable and sustainable way to grow the Blue Economy, will help to mitigate the risk posed by the increased vulnerability of external shocks from the global economic system that can inhibit longer-term economic prosperity in the continent.

In addition, with the majority of African youth being unemployed, the Blue Economy proffers an enormous opportunity for youth to create employment for themselves through small-scale fisheries and even ocean entrepreneurship. However, such youth needs to receive proper practical and technical training that will enable them to engage in legal marine practices which will not pose a threat to the environment and even lead to the disappearance of endangered marine species.

In line with the African Union’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, AU Africa Blue Economy Strategy (2019), and other related continental and regional frameworks, policymakers and decision-makers at the continental and national level are recognising the opportunities to accommodate the Blue Economy as part of a bigger economic picture they are striving to paint. With the Blue Economy in the picture, governments will have a huge opportunity to create new sources of revenue that may contribute to the implementation of development plans and reduce donor dependency on national budgets.

Most importantly, both policymakers and decision-makers have to play a critical role to ensure they formulate policies and regulations which promote the sustainable use of lakes, oceans, and sea resources by addressing challenges that threaten such sustainability like illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU)) fishing, marine pollution (plastic, litter and micro-plastics), biodiversity degradation and loss and climate change, which has become a global phenomenon. This will ensure that all economic activities that emanate from Africa’s oceans, seas/sea beds, lakes, rivers as stipulated in Aspiration 1 of the Agenda 2063 are sustainable and continue to benefit the Africans.

Therefore, as Africa is striving to be prosperous based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, proper governance and exploitation of the untapped potential of the Blue Economy will significantly accelerate economic growth and potentially reduce poverty across the continent. In anticipation of the support needed by member states and RECs to implement the continental Blue Economy Strategy the AUDA-NEPAD developed a Sustainable Blue Economy Programme in 2019 to facilitate the implementation of its priorities in alignment with Agenda 2063. Implementation of this Programme will significantly help to realise the Africa we want which is inclusive and prosperous.