EU targets ports, fisheries in Africa with Sh50 billion ocean investment

The European Union (EU) has announced a series of new financial commitments aimed at strengthening ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries and the blue economy across Africa. 

The 338 euro (Sh50.7 billion) fund will be committed to ocean-related activities that will strengthen resilience of marine ecosystems in Africa.

Speaking during a sideline event at the “11th Our Ocean Conference” held in Mombasa County, the EU Commissioner for fisheries and oceans Costas Kadis emphasised the importance of international cooperation in addressing the growing challenges facing the world’s oceans, including climate change, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Kadis said the EU ocean agenda was guided by the European Ocean Pact, a strategy aimed at promoting sustainable ocean management, resilient fisheries and aquaculture and stronger international partnerships.

“No country can address these challenges alone,” Kadis said, stressing that multilateral cooperation remains essential to the future of ocean governance. 

A key topic of discussion was the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement which came to effect recently, and aimed at conserving and  sustainably using marine life in international waters.

To support African countries in implementing the agreement through advancing ocean sustainability, the EU announced several funding commitments, including €12 million (about Sh1.8 billion) to improve the safety, security and connectivity of 10 ports in Central and West Africa. 

An additional €2.4 million (Sh360 million) will support sustainable blue economy initiatives between 2025 and 2028, while €10 million (Sh1.5 billion) under the OPERA programme, an EU-funded ocean forecasting initiative to strengthen ocean data collection, accessibility and coastal resilience across African coastal regions.

The EU also pledged €40 million (about Sh6 billion) through the Global Europe programme to assist developing countries in ratifying and implementing the BBNJ Agreement. 

Kadis further unveiled the “Eye of the Ocean” initiative, a global alliance designed to strengthen ocean observation and scientific research.

He noted that despite the ocean covering more than 70 per cent of the earth’s surface, only a small fraction has been adequately studied. 

The initiative, co-led by the EU and Canada with support from Norway, aims to reinforce the UNESCO Global Ocean Observing System and improve global marine data collection. 

He says there are still knowledge gaps about the oceans, which can be bridged through observation under the eye of the ocean strategy. 

“We need to strengthen ocean observation through the Eye of the Ocean to ensure more resilience,” he said. 

“The ocean needs us as much as we need it. The conference demonstrated that together we are stronger,” he added. 

EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger highlighted the growing partnership between Kenya and the EU in trade, maritime training, digital innovation and the blue economy. 

Geiger noted that several EU member states, including Denmark and the Netherlands, are supporting maritime training programmes at Bandari Maritime Academy through advanced digital simulation technology. 

She said Kenyan seafarers continue to enjoy a strong reputation internationally and revealed that discussions are underway regarding broader European recognition of Kenyan maritime qualifications. 

The ambassador also pointed to the positive impact of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Kenya and the European Union, noting that bilateral trade has recorded significant growth since its implementation. 

The EU is also supporting Kenya’s digital transformation through investments in projects such as the digitisation of land records and initiatives aimed at boosting exports from the blue economy, including seafood and seaweed products. 

The briefing also highlighted the role of young innovators in shaping the future of the blue economy. Entrepreneurs from Kenya and Tanzania showcased projects that convert marine plastic waste into clean cooking fuel and other environmentally friendly products. 

Both Kadis and Geiger emphasised that innovation, skills development, and investment in young people will be critical in creating a sustainable and inclusive blue economy while protecting ocean resources for future generations.