What is the Blue Economy?

The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve livelihoods while preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems. This approach is a cornerstone of the African Union’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 and SDG 14, which focus on water resource management and ocean conservation. With 39 of Africa’s 55 nations being island or coastal states, the continent is uniquely positioned to harness the power of its blue resources, including mangroves and coral reefs. The Africa Blue Economy Summit serves as a Pan-African thought leadership, investment, and research platform, bringing together Blue Economy investors, financiers, leadership from island and coastal states, researchers, and stakeholders.