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Africa’s blue economy could reach $1.5 trillion by 2050, UNEP chief say
Africa’s blue economy could expand to more than $1.5 trillion by 2050, creating jobs, strengthening food security, and boosting climate resilience, but only if countries accelerate efforts to protect marine ecosystems and strengthen ocean governance, according to United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen.
Speaking at the Ministerial Event on Africa Ocean Governance during the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, Andersen said Africa’s ocean-based economy generated an estimated $300 billion and supported 49 million jobs in 2018. The sector is projected to grow to $405 billion by 2030 before surpassing $1.5 trillion by mid-century.
Marine ecosystems face growing pressure:
Despite its economic potential, Africa’s blue economy faces mounting threats from overfishing, pollution, unsustainable infrastructure development, habitat degradation, and climate change.
Andersen warned that future growth cannot follow traditional development models that damage ecosystems and deepen social inequalities.
“Blue Economy development cannot follow business-as-usual pathways that degrade nature and entrench inequality,” she said.
She added that achieving sustainable growth will require coordinated action across multiple sectors, including environment, agriculture, mining, transport, urban planning, and finance.
Ocean governance starts inland:
According to Andersen, effective ocean governance begins far from coastlines, as many marine pollutants originate inland through plastic waste, wastewater, and agricultural runoff.
She highlighted source-to-sea approaches as a key tool for reducing pollution at its origin and improving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.
UNEP is working with regional partners through initiatives such as the Regional Seas Program and the Global Program for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities to strengthen collaboration on pollution reduction.
Financing gap remains major challenge:
Andersen also highlighted the need for greater investment in nature-positive blue economy projects.
Citing UNEP’s State of Finance for Nature 2026 report, she noted that for every $1 invested in protecting nature, approximately $30 is directed toward activities that harm ecosystems.
“Finance will be essential to a vibrant Blue Economy, but across the globe, financial flows reward environmental destruction rather than restoration,” she said.
UNEP’s sustainable blue economy and coastal resilience portfolio currently totals $216 million globally, with more than half—$114 million—allocated to projects across Africa.
Scaling blue finance solutions:
Among the initiatives highlighted was Kenya’s Mikoko Pamoja project, a community-led blue carbon initiative that generates funding for mangrove conservation, restoration, and local development.
Andersen also pointed to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, which supports sustainable financing mechanisms and reef-positive investments in Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles.
She called for stronger pipelines of investment-ready projects and greater access to financing to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable blue economy.
High seas treaty offers leadership opportunity:
Andersen said the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, presents a significant opportunity for African countries to strengthen their role in global ocean governance.
Only slightly more than 1% of ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction are currently protected, despite their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem health.
To date, 90 countries have ratified the agreement, including 19 African nations.
Andersen noted that African negotiators played a key role in securing provisions related to benefit-sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer during treaty negotiations.
Roadmap for Africa’s blue future:
Looking ahead, Andersen said the Mombasa Ministerial Communiqué expected to emerge from the conference could help shape a roadmap for scaling sustainable blue economy investments across the continent.
She emphasized that stronger governance, increased financing, and regional cooperation will be critical to unlocking the full value of Africa’s marine resources while ensuring long-term benefits for communities, biodiversity, and future generations.
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