Blue Economy Movement An opportunity not to be missed

An expanding number of African nations are currently grasping the Blue Economy Movement for its capability to convey answers for their most squeezing improvement needs– especially extraordinary neediness and yearning.

Nations, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar and the Seychelles.

which has officially settled the Ministry of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy– are perceiving the need to enhance their economies.

Blue Economy Movement

The world’s oceans, seas and rivers are a major source of wealth, creating trillions of dollars’ worth in goods and services as well as employing billions of people.

Three out of four jobs that make up the entire global workforce are water-dependent.

while the International Energy Agency estimates that renewable energy from the ocean has a power potential sufficient to provide up to 400% of current global energy demand.

Yet Africa’s blue potential remains untapped.

of which the African Great Lakes constitute 27% of surface freshwater, the largest proportion in the world.

The World Bank and the United Nations

The World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in their 2018 policy brief make a strong case in favor of the blue economy.

“Seventy percent of African countries are either coastal or islands, we need to harness such valuable coastlines,” .

African-owned ships account for less than 1.2 percent of the world’s shipping.”

The Blue Economy’s

The Blue Economy’s approach advocates for a complete departure from enclave development models.

Rather, it favours economic interconnections among different sectors as well as regional clusters and value chains that benefit both coastal, island states and landlocked countries in a same continuum.

Also prioritized are resource efficiency and low-carbon footprint growth models coupled with modernizing Africa’s maritime transport.

Several African countries already are formulating strategies to mainstream the Blue Economy in their national development plans.

For instance, the Seychelles have established a full-fledged ministry dedicated to promoting the Blue Economy.

More countries must follow suit to reap from the available socio-economic opportunities.

For example, contrary to other countries in the world, African states have yet to request.

and obtain licenses from the International Seabed Authority for deep sea mining in the high-seas bordering the continent.

potentially leading to tensions between neighboring countries combined with the impacts of rapid population growth,

coastal urbanization and climate change, also add to the pressure for supporting ecosystems and habitats.

Managing these complex dynamics emphasizes the need for a holistic and integrated approach.

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