From Ambition to Action in Mombasa

Nico Willemse, Regional Officer for Africa, Blue Nature Alliance

From 16-18 June 2026, the world gathered in Mombasa, Kenya, for the first Our Ocean Conference (OOC) hosted in Africa. It was more than a milestone. It was a chance to put Africa's voice at the center of the global ocean agenda, on African soil, for the first time.

For Africa, marine conservation is not optional. It is foundational. More than 200 million Africans depend on fisheries – not only fishers themselves, but the workers across seafood processing, transport, trade, and markets. Fisheries support millions of livelihoods far beyond the shoreline, forming the backbone of local and national economies. Marine conservation is considered a vital safeguard—not just for nature, but also for the fisheries and fishers who will benefit. That foundation looks different from region to region, but the direction is the same.

Regional Momentum

On the continent’s east coast, the Western Indian Ocean region shows strong conservation leadership, anchored by solid political commitment from the Nairobi Convention member states. The focus here is on scaling protection across critical ecological corridors and biodiversity hotspots like the Northern Mozambican Channel. The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association’s (WIOMSA) Critical Habitats Outlook provides guidance to prioritize marine habitats for protection, reinforced by new biodiversity data on sharks and rays, marine plant life, and seabirds. This planning aims to secure the areas that matter most for both human and planetary wellbeing.

“Marine conservation is often seen as competing with development. In reality, it is what sustains it. A healthy ocean is the foundation of a renewable blue economy. Without resilient ecosystems, fisheries collapse, supply chains weaken, and long-term economic opportunities are lost,” Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Director of WIOMSA.

Across the continent, West Africa has paired political commitment with measurable delivery. Since a regional pledge in February 2024 to advance the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 30x30 target, several countries are advancing marine spatial planning to designate new marine protected areas (MPAs) and the region has scoped a potential high seas MPA at the Canary and Guinea Currents convergence zone. The West Africa Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM) has become a trusted convener and technical partner, recognized by governments, civil society, and research institutions alike. The 2026 Nouakchott Declaration now frames the region's marine conservation ambition with real political backing behind it.

The Gulf of Guinea is a corridor for megafauna and is home to some of the world’s endangered marine biodiversity such as marine turtles, and iconic species like sharks, rays and even the region’s famous surfing hippos. The Gulf countries show similarly strong commitment, led by Gabon and the Republic of Congo, with Cameroon, and São Tomé and Príncipe making notable progress. Cameroon identified 35 potential Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and designated 2 MPAs (1 more proposed) securing the largest largely intact mangroves in West Africa. São Tomé and Príncipe identified 8 sites for MPAs, with the first 2 designated in 2026, aiming to cover critical biodiversity areas such as turtle nesting grounds. The Yaoundé Declaration (2025) frames the political commitment of the Gulf countries to sustainably manage 100% of their oceans by 2030, a more ambitious benchmark than the global 30x30 target. 

Further south, in the Benguela Current region, Angola and Namibia’s ministers announced commitments at OOC to transition Ecologically or Biologically Sensitive Areas (EBSAs) into formally marine protected areas, while South Africa is strengthening conservation measures for its offshore islands and prioritizing critical biodiversity areas (CBAs) for conservation toward 2030.

Four coastlines with shared ambition, demonstrated by political commitment and inclusive processes, backed by scientific evidence that culminates in the designation of MPAs.

Africa already has the vision: continental frameworks – from the Africa Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to the Blue Economy Strategy to the Kigali Call –position ocean governance as inclusive, equitable, and African-led. The challenge is delivery at scale. Financing gaps, institutional constraints, and fragmented implementation continue to limit impact.

Why Mombasa matters

The Our Ocean Conference exists to mobilize investment, partnerships, and accountable commitments across marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and maritime security. Africa’s strength lies in its regions – each with growing political will and increasing coordination. What is needed now is investment aligned to strengthen African institutions and scale what is already working, building on existing momentum.

With 2030 approaching, the focus must shift decisively from ambition to implementation. Mombasa offered a moment to align global support with African priorities. The work now is making sure that support follows so that ocean conservation can be scaled and continues to deliver where it matters most: for people, for economies, and for the future of the continent.