About CBEA

Pan-African leadership in sustainable marine economy transformation

Who We Are

The Centre for Blue Economy Africa (CBEA) is a Pan-African, non-governmental organization (NGO) and think tank dedicated to driving sustainable marine economy initiatives across Africa.

We serve as a policy and implementation hub, offering research, advocacy, and stakeholder collaboration to optimize Africa's marine, freshwater, and coastal resources.

Our work spans the entire continent, with a focus on transforming how Africa leverages its vast ocean, river, and lake resources to drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social prosperity.

26%

of Africa's GDP from marine & aquatic resources

38,000 km

of African coastline

$296B

annual blue economy potential

Our Mission

To restore, protect, and sustainably manage Africa's marine and freshwater ecosystems while creating economic opportunities that benefit coastal and riverside communities.

Our Vision

A thriving African blue economy where marine resources are sustainably managed, ecosystems are restored, and communities prosper through innovation and responsible stewardship.

Why Our Work Matters

Africa's marine and aquatic resources contribute over 26% of the continent's GDP, yet they remain underutilized and threatened by:

Illegal Fishing

$11.5B lost annually to IUU fishing in African waters

Marine Pollution

8 million tons of plastic enter African coastal waters yearly

Habitat Destruction

35% of mangroves destroyed in past 25 years

Climate Change

Rising sea temperatures threatening coral reefs and fish stocks

Our Five Strategic Pillars

CBEA's work is structured around five core pillars designed to transform Africa's blue economy:

1. Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture

  • Reduce IUU Fishing by 40% using real-time surveillance
  • Develop Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to replenish fish stocks
  • Increase Africa's aquaculture production by 50% by 2030
  • Generate 20,000 jobs in sustainable fisheries

2. Marine Pollution & Coastal Restoration

  • Clean up 500 km of polluted coastlines over five years
  • Reduce plastic waste entering waters by 30%
  • Restore 5,000 hectares of mangroves and coral reefs
  • Introduce Blue Economy Waste Management Strategy

3. Maritime Trade & Blue Economy Growth

  • Increase AfCFTA-driven maritime trade by 20%
  • Enhance port infrastructure to reduce shipping costs by 15%
  • Facilitate sustainable trade in ocean-based products
  • Develop African Blue Economy Innovation Hub

4. Renewable Energy & Climate Resilience

  • Launch 10 offshore wind and wave energy projects
  • Generate 1GW of clean energy from marine sources by 2035
  • Develop blue carbon markets by restoring coastal ecosystems
  • Build climate-resilient coastal communities

5. Community Engagement & Capacity Building

  • Train 50,000 individuals in blue economy careers
  • Support eco-tourism development ($3B GDP increase)
  • Empower women and youth in coastal economies
  • Build entrepreneurship in fishing communities

How We Drive Change

1

Align

Align with national and regional policies, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

2

Engage

Engage governments, international NGOs, and private sector players in marine conservation and blue economy initiatives

3

Advocate

Advocate for policy reforms that drive investment in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, maritime trade, and coastal tourism

4

Serve

Serve as a research and implementation hub for innovative solutions to marine pollution, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation

Our Partners

International Organizations

  • African Union (AU) & AfCFTA Secretariat - Regional policy alignment
  • World Bank (PROBLUE Program) - $20M funding for sustainable marine projects
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF) - $10M for biodiversity conservation
  • UNDP - Blue economy funding and capacity-building
  • Blue Action Fund - $5M annually for marine conservation
  • WWF, IUCN, Conservation International - Environmental advocacy and technical support

Government Agencies

  • Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
  • Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Ministry of Energy
  • Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)
  • National Petroleum Authority (NPA)

Private Sector

  • Oil & Gas Companies (Tullow Oil, Kosmos Energy, TotalEnergies)
  • Shipping & Port Operators (Maersk, MSC, DP World)
  • Large-Scale Fisheries & Aquaculture Investors
  • Eco-Tourism & Hospitality Sector
  • Renewable Energy Investors

Resource Mobilization Strategy

Grant Funding Approach

Seeking partnerships with World Bank PROBLUE, GEF, Blue Action Fund, and other international donors for marine sustainability projects

Public-Private Partnerships

Developing blended finance structures with governments and private sector for sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, and renewable energy

Impact Investment & Blue Bonds

Target: $500M+ in sustainable finance mobilization over 10 years through blue bonds and impact investments

Join Us in Transforming Africa's Blue Economy

Whether you're a government, NGO, private sector investor, or community organization, there's a role for you in CBEA's mission.

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