Proposed Blue Economy Projects

Investment opportunities for sustainable ocean development in West Africa

CBEA has developed a portfolio of bankable blue economy projects ready for implementation. Each project addresses critical challenges in Ghana and West Africa's marine sectors while offering measurable environmental, social, and economic returns. We are seeking partners, investors, and sponsors to bring these initiatives to life.

Total Investment Opportunity: $47.8 Million | Combined Beneficiaries: 28,500+

Flagship Project Portfolio

West Africa IUU Fishing Surveillance Network

Seeking Investment

The Challenge

West Africa loses $2.3 billion annually to Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Ghana alone experiences losses estimated at $50M yearly, threatening livelihoods of 135,000 artisanal fishermen.

Proposed Solution

Deploy an integrated satellite-based monitoring system combining Sentinel-1 SAR imagery, vessel tracking, and mobile reporting tools to detect and deter illegal fishing across Ghana's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Project Budget: $8.5 Million (3 years)

  • Satellite data subscriptions: $2.1M
  • AI/ML platform development: $1.8M
  • Mobile apps for fishermen: $650K
  • Integration with Ghana Navy/Fisheries Commission: $1.2M
  • Training & capacity building: $950K
  • Operations (3 years): $1.8M

Expected Impact (Year 3)

40% reduction in IUU fishing incidents
$20M annual fish stock protection value
8,000 artisanal fishermen directly benefiting
Regional expandable to 8 ECOWAS countries

Planned Government Partnership

Seeking partnership with Ghana Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Ghana Navy. System will provide real-time alerts to enforcement agencies and support evidence-based policy making.

Funding Status: Seeking anchor investor ($5M+) | Co-investors welcome

Proposed Coverage Map

218,000 km² Ghana EEZ

Volta Delta Blue Carbon Project

Seeking Investment

The Opportunity

Restore 3,500 hectares of degraded mangrove forests in Ghana's Volta Delta while generating Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) credits for sale in voluntary carbon markets. Mangroves sequester 4x more carbon than rainforests.

Proposed Solution

Community-led mangrove restoration program with scientific monitoring, carbon credit certification, and benefit-sharing mechanisms that provide sustainable income to 45 coastal communities.

Project Budget: $6.2 Million (5 years)

  • Seedling production & planting: $2.4M
  • VCS certification & monitoring: $850K
  • Community training & equipment: $1.1M
  • Drone & satellite monitoring: $680K
  • Program management: $720K
  • Revenue sharing fund: $450K

Financial Returns

Carbon Credit Revenue (20 years): $18.2M (projected)
Payback Period: 7 years
IRR: 14.3%
Community share: 60% of carbon revenues

Expected Impact

875,000 tCO2e carbon sequestered over 20 years
2,800 households earning income
50% increase in fish nursery habitat
35% coastal erosion reduction

Planned Government Partnership

Seeking partnership with Ghana Forestry Commission and EPA for mangrove restoration framework.

Funding Status: Seeking grant funding ($4M) and impact investment ($2.2M)

Restoration Sites

45 communities across Volta Delta

West Africa Aquaculture Excellence Center

Seeking Investment

The Opportunity

Address Ghana's 450,000-ton fish deficit by training 5,000 youth and transitioning farmers in modern, climate-smart aquaculture techniques. Aquaculture can create sustainable livelihoods while reducing pressure on wild fisheries.

Proposed Solution

Establish a state-of-the-art training center demonstrating Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), biofloc technology, and cage farming. Provide trainees with startup support and market linkages.

Project Budget: $4.8 Million (infrastructure + 3 years operations)

  • Training facility construction: $1.9M (12 RAS tanks, classrooms, dormitory)
  • Demonstration farms: $850K
  • Curriculum development: $320K
  • Trainee startup kits (1,000 farmers): $1.2M
  • Operations & staff (3 years): $530K

Expected Impact (Year 3)

5,000 farmers trained
3,200 tons annual fish production increase
$8.4M annual income generated
45% women & youth participation

Government Alignment

Directly supports Ghana's Aquaculture Development Plan (2023-2027) targeting 300,000 MT production. Seeking Ministry of Fisheries partnership for policy support and land allocation.

Funding Status: Seeking lead investor ($3M+) and grant co-financing ($1.8M)

Ghana Marine Spatial Planning Data Platform

Seeking Investment

The Need

Ghana lacks integrated spatial data to inform decisions on offshore wind, oil/gas, fishing zones, marine protected areas, and shipping lanes. Conflicts arise, and blue economy opportunities are missed due to poor spatial planning.

Proposed Solution

Develop a comprehensive Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) platform integrating bathymetry, fisheries data, shipping routes, environmental sensitivity, and economic activities to guide government decision-making.

Project Budget: $2.9 Million (18 months development + 2 years operations)

  • Data acquisition & integration: $980K
  • Platform development: $720K
  • Stakeholder consultations: $350K
  • Training for government users: $280K
  • Operations (2 years): $570K

Expected Impact

Policy Influence: Inform National Ocean Policy, offshore wind site selection, MPA designation
Conflict Reduction: 60% reduction in ocean use conflicts
Investment Attraction: De-risk blue economy investments through clear spatial planning
Capacity Building: Train 150 government officials in MSP principles

Planned Government Partnership

Seeking partnership with Ministry of Transport (Maritime), Ghana Maritime Authority, and Environmental Protection Agency. Platform will be hosted by government and maintained long-term.

Funding Status: Seeking $2.9M grant or concessional funding

Ghana Offshore Wind Pre-Feasibility Study

Seeking Funding

The Opportunity

Ghana's Gulf of Guinea coast has strong, consistent wind resources (7-9 m/s average). Offshore wind could provide 1,000+ MW of clean energy, reducing dependence on expensive fossil fuels and meeting Paris Agreement commitments.

Proposed Study

Conduct comprehensive pre-feasibility assessment for 250 MW offshore wind farm including wind resource modeling, environmental baseline, grid integration analysis, and financial structuring.

Study Budget: $1.4 Million (12 months)

  • Wind resource assessment (LiDAR, modeling): $420K
  • Environmental & Social Impact Assessment: $350K
  • Technical design & grid integration: $280K
  • Financial modeling & structuring: $180K
  • Stakeholder engagement: $120K
  • Project management: $50K

Next Phase (Post-Study)

If feasible, attract $750M investment for 250 MW offshore wind farm expected to:

  • Generate 950 GWh/year clean electricity
  • Reduce CO2 emissions by 650,000 tons/year
  • Create 2,500 construction jobs + 150 permanent jobs
  • Provide 5% revenue share to coastal communities

Government Alignment

Ministry of Energy has prioritized offshore wind in Renewable Energy Master Plan. Feasibility study will inform policy and attract commercial developers.

Funding Status: Seeking $1.4M grant funding

Sustainable Coastal Tourism Value Chain

Seeking Investment

The Opportunity

Ghana's coastal communities have rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, and marine biodiversity but lack tourism infrastructure and capacity. Sustainable tourism can diversify incomes while incentivizing environmental conservation.

Proposed Solution

Develop community-based tourism products in 15 coastal villages including eco-lodges, cultural experiences, water sports, and conservation tourism (turtle nesting, mangrove tours).

Project Budget: $3.2 Million (3 years)

  • Community tourism infrastructure: $1.4M (15 eco-lodges, boardwalks, signage)
  • Capacity building & certification: $580K
  • Marketing & platform development: $420K
  • Conservation activities (turtle protection, cleanups): $350K
  • Working capital & operations: $450K

Expected Impact (Year 3)

12,000 tourists annually
$1.8M community tourism revenue
450 direct jobs (70% women)
3 MPAs community-managed protected areas

Revenue Model

Financial Sustainability: Project becomes cash-positive Year 2, fully self-sustaining Year 4
Community Ownership: 80% revenue to communities, 20% to CBEA for expansion
Investor Returns: 12% IRR through revenue share + impact premium

Funding Status: Seeking impact investor ($2M+) and grant co-financing ($1.2M)

Investment Portfolio Summary

Project Total Budget Funding Status Timeline Primary Beneficiaries Government Partner
IUU Fishing Surveillance $8.5M Seeking anchor investor 36 months 8,000 fishermen Min. of Fisheries, Navy
Blue Carbon Mangroves $6.2M Seeking grant & impact investment 60 months 2,800 households EPA, Forestry Commission
Aquaculture Training Center $4.8M Seeking lead investor 36 months 5,000 farmers Min. of Fisheries
Marine Spatial Planning $2.9M Seeking grant funding 42 months Policy makers, investors Min. of Transport, GMA
Offshore Wind Study $1.4M Seeking grant funding 12 months Energy sector, public Min. of Energy
Coastal Tourism $3.2M Seeking impact investor 36 months 450 direct jobs Ghana Tourism Authority
TOTAL PORTFOLIO $27.0M Seeking all funding - 16,250+ direct -

Partner with CBEA to Transform West Africa's Blue Economy

We welcome investors, development partners, foundations, and corporate sponsors who share our vision of sustainable, inclusive ocean development. Each project has been designed with government input and community consultation to ensure relevance, feasibility, and impact.

Invest or Sponsor

Fund individual projects or the entire portfolio. Blended finance structures available combining grants, loans, and equity.

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Technical Partnership

Provide pro-bono expertise, technology transfer, or in-kind contributions to accelerate project implementation.

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Co-Create Solutions

Bring your own blue economy project ideas. CBEA provides policy navigation, community engagement, and implementation support.

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