Kenya is set to host the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, marking the first time the global summit will be held on the African continent. The event serves as a platform for African nations to address the preservation of marine ecosystems and the sustainable management of the “blue economy,” which remains a cornerstone of the region’s long-term economic development strategy. According to the Our Ocean Conference secretariat, the summit brings together heads of state, industry leaders, and environmental advocates to secure commitments for marine protection, sustainable fisheries, and climate change resilience.
For many African nations, the ocean represents more than a natural resource; it is a critical pillar of food security and trade. With thousands of kilometers of coastline, the continent faces intensifying pressure from overfishing, plastic pollution, and the warming effects of climate change. The Mombasa summit is viewed by analysts as a testing ground for whether African states can leverage collective diplomatic weight to influence international maritime policy and ensure that the “blue economy” serves local populations rather than external commercial interests alone.
The Shift Toward African-Led Marine Governance
The decision to host the conference in Mombasa reflects a broader trend toward regional ownership of maritime agendas. Historically, international ocean summits have been dominated by Northern Hemisphere priorities. By moving the venue to the African coast, organizers aim to center the conversation on the specific challenges faced by the Global South, including the need for technology transfer, sustainable infrastructure investment, and protection for artisanal fishing communities.
The African Union (AU) has consistently identified the blue economy as a critical component of its “Agenda 2063,” a framework aimed at fostering socio-economic transformation across the continent. Protecting the ocean is not merely an environmental goal but a prerequisite for regional stability. As noted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), failing to address marine degradation in the Western Indian Ocean could lead to significant losses in tourism revenue and fish stocks, which currently support millions of livelihoods in coastal East Africa.
Addressing Threats to the Blue Economy
The primary challenges facing the region are multifaceted. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a major concern for coastal states, costing the continent an estimated $11.5 billion annually, according to reports by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Mombasa conference is expected to facilitate discussions on strengthening maritime domain awareness and enhancing regional cooperation to monitor territorial waters effectively.
Beyond security, climate change poses an existential threat to low-lying coastal areas. Rising sea levels and ocean acidification are already disrupting coral reef health in the Indian Ocean, which acts as a natural barrier and a nursery for diverse marine life. Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have emphasized that urgent, large-scale investment in nature-based solutions—such as mangrove restoration—is essential to mitigate these impacts. The conference will likely see a push for increased climate financing specifically earmarked for marine conservation projects in developing nations.
What Happens Next: Translating Pledges into Policy
The success of the Mombasa summit will be measured by the concrete commitments made by attending governments and private sector partners. Unlike previous iterations of the conference, which have sometimes been criticized for producing non-binding declarations, there is significant pressure on delegates to establish a clear timeline for implementation. The World Bank has previously highlighted that sustainable ocean management can yield significant returns on investment, but it requires regulatory frameworks that favor long-term ecological health over short-term extraction.
Observers are looking for specific outcomes, including:
- New legislative frameworks for the management of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
- Increased funding pledges for regional maritime surveillance initiatives.
- Formal agreements on cross-border plastic waste management.
- Support programs for small-scale fishers to transition to sustainable gear.
As the conference concludes, the focus will shift to the United Nations Ocean Conference, which serves as the next major checkpoint for global marine policy. The outcomes from Mombasa are expected to form the basis of the African delegation’s position at that upcoming international forum. Whether these promises result in tangible improvements for the continent’s coastal communities remains to be seen, but the Mombasa summit marks a significant step in elevating the African voice in the global maritime discourse.
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