Africa and the Ocean: A New Wave of Hope”
By Carolyne Tomno
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a compelling address at the “Africa for the
Ocean” summit in Nice, France, underscoring the profound bond between the African
continent and its surrounding oceans.
He drew attention to Africa’s extensive maritime wealth, which sustains the lives and economies of millions.
Yet, he cautioned that these ocean resources continue to be overlooked and depleted,
resulting in mounting threats like maritime insecurity, environmental degradation, and the
worsening effects of climate change.
Guterres urged immediate and collective action to confront these challenges and harness
Africa’s full potential as a leading force in global ocean stewardship.
Africa’s Ocean Awakening
With 38 coastal states and more than 30,000 kilometers of coastline, Africa is, in Guterres’
words, a “maritime powerhouse.
” But for decades, its blue wealth was exploited by others. Its fisheries were plundered,
marine biodiversity overlooked, and investments in infrastructure left high and dry.Now, that
tide is turning.
From regional naval alliances in the Gulf of Guinea that have tamed piracy, to the African
Union’s groundbreaking 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy, African nations are no longer
waiting for rescue.
They are designing the lifeboats — and inviting the world aboard. Added Gutteres
At the summit, one treaty stood out as a beacon of change: the BBNJ Agreement
(Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction).Africa didn’t just show up for the talks , it is shaping them.
With 28 African countries already signed on, and more set to ratify it, the continent is making
waves in marine diplomacy.
The Sea as a Solution
And as Guterres emphasized, progress needs more than passion — it needs power. And power, in this case, comes in the form of finance.
“Africa’s marine resources have long been exploited without fair returns,” he said. “That must end.”
He called for a global reckoning: a new financial architecture where Africa doesn’t just sit at the table, but helps design it.
One where marine infrastructure — from smart ports to oceanographic research — finally
receives the investment it deserves.
A Continent Reclaims Its Currents
The narrative is no longer about Africa being vulnerable to rising seas. It’s about Africa rising
with the seas and leading. From Cape Town to Casablanca, young African scientists are decoding ocean currents.
Indigenous communities are reviving traditional marine conservation methods. Governments
are linking coastal zones with inland trade networks, ensuring that no country ,landlocked
or otherwise is left behind.
