A wide-ranging discussion during the “Africa@Nor-Shipping” event in Oslo, Norway explored various topics regarding unlocking the full potential of Africa’s blue economy. Three separate expert panels discussed addressed competition among different maritime sectors, ocean governance and the importance of complying with international regulations especially IMO’s ship safety, maritime security and environment rules.
Much discussion was about challenges as chances to grow, and the need to learn lessons from the past, as well as ensuring that African ownership and participation was a key aim. Namely, speakers from IMO described the organisation’s involvement in helping establish institutional and technical capacity in Africa at the national and regional level. In fact, IMO is aligned with several pan-African initiatives such as the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy.
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The necessity to turn adversity into opportunity was a recurrent theme. One panellist talked about the billions of dollars currently lost due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the significant potential those sums held for positive impacts.
In addition, discussion on law enforcement, security and regulatory compliance highlighted the need for a collaborative and holistic approach at national level. Different government departments and agencies with interests in such areas must collaborate and communicate with each other.
What is more, panelists agreed that future maritime development in Africa must be sustainable, and that linkages to the Sustainable Development Goals were not just desirable but necessary. One speaker talked about the need to prevent “institutional paralysis”, with IMO outlining how it can help governments throughout the continent to enhance their resources to achieve sustainable development.
Finally, participants were reminded that 38 of 54 African countries are coastal States, and that over 90% of Africa’s imports and exports are transported by sea. There was also a call for the African Union, which participated in the event, to take measures to bring about this vision of a sustainable blue economy.
