Sustainable Ocean Economies in African Small Island Developing States

This briefing examines the requirements for establishing a sustainable ocean economy (SOE) in African Small Island Developing States (SIDS), arguing that while legal frameworks are important, they are insufficient on their own to attract investment. Based on interviews and surveys, the document identifies a combination of political will, institutional arrangements, and trusted partnerships as the primary determinants for funding and investment in the regenerative blue economy.

• A sustainable ocean economy (SOE) is defined as using ocean resources to drive economic growth, improve employment and livelihoods, and maintain the health of ocean ecosystems and services. This approach includes sectors like marine biotechnology, aquaculture, fisheries, and marine protection, while emphasizing governance aspects such as transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive management.
• Investment and funding decisions for an SOE in SIDS are driven by a combination of factors beyond just the legal framework. The primary determinants identified from investors and donors include the location and environment, political will, the country's track record regarding marine environment preservation, institutional arrangements for ocean affairs, and the presence of trusted in-country partners.
• Among the six African SIDS, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Cabo Verde have prioritized sustainable ocean management in their policies. Seychelles has utilized nature-based solutions and blue bonds, while both Seychelles and Mauritius have ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Cabo Verde served as a patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance from 2021 to 2023.
• There is a significant gap between the political commitments of African SIDS to the 30x30 global campaign and actual marine protection. While Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, and Seychelles have committed to protecting 30% of ecosystems by 2030, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Mauritius, and São Tomé and Príncipe currently protect less than 1% of their exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
• African SIDS generally prefer formalized institutional arrangements for ocean affairs over looser multi-sectoral models. Four of the six African SIDS have established ministries responsible for the blue economy, which typically act as coordination units. For example, São Tomé and Príncipe codified its blue economy strategy into law in 2022, creating a Strategic Intelligence Unit for the Blue Economy.
• While an enabling legal environment is critical, there is no single fixed set of laws required to secure investment. Common helpful measures include anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorism financing laws, as well as tax breaks for aquaculture. In some cases, specific regulations may be enacted after a deal is closed, as seen with the 2018 Seychelles blue bond where aquaculture funds were withheld until relevant regulations were in place.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2025). Sustainable Ocean Economies in African Small Island Developing States. https://saiia.org.za/research/sustainable-ocean-economies-in-african-small-island-developing-states/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Sustainable Ocean Economies in African Small Island Developing States. 2025. https://saiia.org.za/research/sustainable-ocean-economies-in-african-small-island-developing-states/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Sustainable Ocean Economies in African Small Island Developing States |date=29 May 2025 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/sustainable-ocean-economies-in-african-small-island-developing-states/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2025sustainable, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Sustainable Ocean Economies in African Small Island Developing States}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/sustainable-ocean-economies-in-african-small-island-developing-states/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }