1. Background

Africa’s ocean and aquatic ecosystems comprising over 13 million square kilometers of exclusive economic zones (EEZs), 47,000 kilometers of coastline, and vast inland water bodies offer immense opportunities to advance sustainable development across the continent. These aquatic resources contribute to food security, job creation, renewable energy, marine transport, trade, tourism, and climate regulation. However, the full potential of Africa’s Blue Economy remains underutilized and vulnerable to growing pressures such as overfishing, marine pollution, climate change, habitat degradation, and unregulated maritime activity.

Recognizing this strategic opportunity and the urgency for coordinated action, the African Union (AU) has made the Blue Economy one of its key development priorities. This is articulated in flagship continental frameworks such as:

• Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want
• 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy)
• African Union Blue Economy Strategy (2020–2030)
• Africa’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Framework (PFRS)

The AU Assembly, through its Decision 496(XXII), further declared 25 July as the African Day of Seas and Oceans and proclaimed the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015–2025). These actions highlight the continent’s growing political commitment to promoting sustainable ocean governance, protecting marine ecosystems, and maximizing socioeconomic benefits from aquatic resources.

In line with this vision, and as part of its milestone activities of the Decade, the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and strategic regional and international partners is organizing the Africa Blue Economy Week 2025 (ABEW-25). The event will be held from 23 to 25 September 2025 in AU HQ Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will culminate in the official commemoration of the African Day of Seas and Oceans on 25 September.

This is the second edition of the Africa Blue Economy Week, since the maiden event in June 2024. Building on the success of last year, ABEW-25 will take stock of the achievements and opportunities for Africa’s Blue Economy while delving deep into the most critical challenges through engaging presentations and dynamic panel discussions. Most importantly, this year, the event seeks to move the needle from pledges to stronger partnerships and to build momentum for tangible actions that unlocks the potential of Africa’s Blue Economy.

2. Objectives

The Africa Blue Economy Week 2025 and the Commemoration of the African Day of Seas and Oceans aim to:

1. Intensify dialogue and cooperation to accelerate the implementation of Blue Economy policies, expand continental data collation and exchange, and promote regional trade integration and value-addition under the AfCFTA.
2. Showcase innovative approaches and best practices from Member States, the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners, on how to build partnerships and unlock investment for inclusive and sustainable growth in the African Blue Economy.
3. Strengthen advocacy and collaboration in the conservation and sustainable management of Africa’s aquatic and marine resources, promoting inter-governmental partnerships for effective governance of shared resources.
4. Reflect on the Progress and Legacy of the Decade of African Seas and Oceans and articulate a clear roadmap post-2025.

3. Expected Outcomes

• High-level commitments and political declarations to reaffirm Africa’s leadership in sustainable ocean governance.
• Knowledge sharing and technical collaboration among Member States, regional bodies, and stakeholders.
• Policy recommendations and technical inputs to inform AU programming, national strategies, and partner interventions.
• Enhanced visibility of the African Day of Seas and Oceans and greater public awareness across the continent.

4. Participants

The event will bring together 40-50 in-person participants, including:

• African Union Member States
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
• African Union Organs and Specialized Institutions (AU-IBAR, AUDA NEPAD)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other UN agencies
• Regional seas conventions and international organizations
• Private sector actors and financial institutions

5. Format and Structure

• High-Level Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• Keynote speakers - ARBE Commissioner, UNDP High Rep
• Deep-dive sessions and presentations on key Blue Economy topics
• Engaging thematic plenaries, dynamic panel discussions, and interactive Q&As.
• B2B Networking
• Commemoration Ceremony and Cultural Performances

AGENDA