Africa: Our common ocean must be at the heart of the Africa-Europe partnership

As the next European elections approach and amid a litany of geopolitical changes, the European Union (EU) must exercise due diligence in its partnerships – particularly in undervalued areas of cooperation such as blue economy. Promoting partnerships, such as a strengthened Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership, offers significant opportunities for both Europe and Africa to achieve climate neutrality and sustainable development goals, with benefits extending far beyond the Mediterranean Sea.

The EU finds itself at a critical moment. The geopolitical context has changed, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine refocusing EU policy on defense issues. Rising energy costs and reliance on critical raw materials highlight the codependent economic model of Africa and Europe. Furthermore, declining US support for multilateral institutions and growing tensions between the US and China signal new challenges for the EU globally.

In these precarious circumstances, the EU must reassess its international partnerships and adapt its foreign policy strategy. Although security and strategic autonomy remain important priorities, the EU should adopt a holistic approach to its partnerships, encompassing economic, social and environmental aspects.

The link between geopolitics and the transition to a low-carbon economy will be crucial in the next EU mandate. Investing in strategic partnerships, particularly with Africa, is essential to secure essential raw materials and green energy to achieve the EU’s climate neutrality targets, while supporting transformation socio-economic and industrialization of Africa.

Strengthening an Africa-Europe ocean partnership is undoubtedly in the EU’s interest, particularly given the current geopolitical context and the emergence of Africa on the global stage, highlighted by the inclusion of the African Union to the G20. Ocean governance and the blue economy are of major strategic importance for this renewed cooperation. With upcoming leadership changes in the EU in 2024 and at the African Union Commission in 2025, policymakers have a crucial opportunity to forge innovative and resilient partnerships between the two continents.

The ocean holds immense potential for the respective coastal economies of Africa and Europe and their climate and biodiversity goals. However, less than 1% of official development assistance (ODA) funding is dedicated to ocean development internationally, making SDG 14: “Life Below Water” the most underfunded in all SDGs.

Both continents should invest more in the blue economy, particularly in the Mediterranean region, given Africa and Europe’s historical and environmental ties with the region. The economy and environment of the Mediterranean region would benefit from the development of fisheries compliance and monitoring systems, investments in marine renewable energy, plastic depollution and the creation of cooperation networks, inspired by successful networks Mediterranean coastal towns.

The possibilities for a blue economy partnership extend beyond the Mediterranean and across the African continent. Untapped opportunities, such as offshore renewable energy, the rise of the blue bioeconomy, maritime infrastructure development and sustainable coastal tourism, offer avenues for economic and social development.

African states demonstrate remarkable innovation and dynamism in the maritime sector

Investing in sustainable fishing practices and building the capacity of African coastal communities can improve food security and preserve marine ecosystems in Africa. EU support could also help boost the growth of aquaculture and facilitate access to the EU market. Through technology transfer and capacity building, such as expertise in maritime surveillance, resource management and clean technology incubation, the EU can help African countries harness their maritime potential sustainably and responsible.

African states are demonstrating remarkable innovation and dynamism in the maritime sector, providing opportunities for the EU. For example, fishing communities on the west coast of Africa have improved their traditional fishing tools and diversified their fishing methods to adapt to changing fish stocks and prevent bycatch. Such adaptive solutions provide valuable knowledge to improve the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in European waters.

The EU has a unique opportunity to boost innovation and research in Africa’s blue economy in a mutually beneficial partnership. By providing financial and technical support, through bilateral agreements and specific programmes, the EU can work jointly with African countries to address the specific challenges of the blue economy. Several African countries are developing tools to produce electricity from ocean waves and currents, which the EU could develop thanks to its financial capacity. This strategy could extend to other areas, such as marine conservation measures and building the resilience of coastal communities.