Along Africa’s coastlines, rivers and inland waters, millions of people depend on the resources beneath and around them for food, jobs and livelihoods. But turning those resources into lasting economic opportunities will require stronger systems to manage them, Director of the UNDP Regional Service Centre in Addis Ababa, Dr Matthias Naab, has said.
Dr Naab said Africa’s blue economy transformation must be supported by better policy coordination, credible data and stronger regional cooperation if countries are to fully benefit from their vast water and marine resources.
Speaking during the Africa Blue Economy Week 2026 in Luanda, Angola, Dr Naab said the continent’s ability to unlock the economic potential of its oceans, lakes and waterways would depend on how effectively governments and institutions work together.
He identified three priorities critical to advancing Africa’s blue economy agenda: stronger policy coherence across sectors, governance based on reliable data and increased cooperation among countries and regional institutions.
The blue economy covers a wide range of activities linked to water resources, including fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, tourism, coastal protection and emerging industries that rely on sustainable use of aquatic resources.
For many African communities, these sectors are not only economic activities but also sources of income and daily survival. However, limited coordination, weak data systems and gaps in investment have often slowed efforts to fully develop their potential.
The Africa Blue Economy Week 2026 brought together ministers, development partners, regional bodies and innovators to explore ways of accelerating sustainable growth from Africa’s water resources.
A major outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Luanda Declaration on Africa’s Blue Economy, which reaffirmed commitments to improve governance, mobilise investment and expand opportunities for communities across the continent.
Dr Naab also highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making, noting that credible data would allow countries to better understand their resources, design stronger policies and attract investments into blue economy sectors.
He further called for deeper regional cooperation, pointing to the fact that many marine and environmental challenges extend beyond national borders and require collective action.
The discussions also highlighted the growing role of young people and women in developing solutions across areas such as aquaculture, coastal restoration, recycling and pollution reduction.
Partners including the African Union Commission, European Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Norway participated in engagements focused on building partnerships to support sustainable and inclusive blue economy development.
As African countries search for new pathways for economic growth, the blue economy is increasingly being viewed as an opportunity to create jobs, strengthen food security and protect ecosystems that support millions of people.
For Dr Naab, the challenge now is ensuring that commitments made around Africa’s blue economy translate into practical results for communities, economies and the environment.
