A sustainable Blue Business plan will accelerate Africa’s transformation, create jobs, sustain livelihoods and empower communities while offering impactful climate change measures.
Fishing, aquaculture, shipping, ports, energy, and finance industries all came under the spotlight at Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF2019) held in Tunis on 25-26 June.
ABEF2019 drew in Government ministers, business leaders, international investors, academics and environmental organizations from across the globe.
The need for direct action to deliver the environmental, economic and social benefits for Africa, and particularly its coastal nations have given 90 percent of Africa’s trade is conducted by sea, was stressed during the two days of insight.
Speakers at ABEF2019 agreed on the urgent need for better cooperation between the ocean stakeholders, better governance and law enforcement. Regional, national and local strategies are required to build a long-term plan and develop partnerships that are beyond short-term projects.
Engaging with new technologies and innovative financing mechanisms are also key to shaping a sustainable Blue Economy in Africa.
Leila Ben Hassen, ABEF founder and CEO of Blue Jay Communication, which organized the forum, said: “We can no longer just dip our toe in the water, we must dive in and be decisive in making and delivering change that will serve Africa for many years to come. It is no longer business as usual. Africa must have a sustainable Blue Business plan which will have a positive impact on the environment, on the economy and on society.”
ABEF2019 discussed across a range of panels with topics that explored how governments and private sectors can collaborate; tackling ocean pollution; innovative funding solutions; enhanced food security and sustainable growth for the fishing industry; sustainable ocean energy; how to engage more women to work in the maritime value chains and the opportunities to embrace the youth generation in the Blue Economy.