Africa: Our Ocean Conference - After Mombasa - Will Africa and the World Make Ocean Promises Real?

Lead

The first Our Ocean Conference to take place on African soil concluded in Mombasa, Kenya, with delegates announcing over 320 new commitments valued at $6.4 billion. The conference, which ran from 16 to 18 June, brought together more than 100 governments, businesses, and civil society organisations focused on ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and the blue economy, as reported by AllAfrica.

While the gathering marked a historic moment for Africa, several accounts from the region ask whether the momentum generated in Mombasa will translate into lasting protection for the world's oceans. One analysis, published by AllAfrica, described the conference as "an important step was taken, but not yet a decisive one."

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the conference spans a range of tones and priorities. Africa News focused on the role of aquaculture, citing a report from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that fish farming has overtaken traditional fishing as a source of food production. In contrast, AllAfrica carried several pieces that examined ocean governance, Africa's leadership in conservation, the importance of artisanal fisheries, and the challenges of financing marine protection.

One AllAfrica article offered a critical look at fragmented ocean governance, arguing that institutional divisions—often invisible—undermine effective action. Another piece celebrated Africa's growing role in ocean diplomacy, highlighting new marine protected areas and regional cooperation. A more urgent piece emphasised the importance of protecting artisanal fishers and voiced concern about industrial fishing fleets depleting fish stocks. A fifth AllAfrica article focused on the gap between promises and practical protection, particularly around financing.

Key Claims

• The conference met in Mombasa, Kenya, marking the first time it was held in Africa. AllAfrica reported that over 100 governments, businesses, and civil society organisations announced 320 new commitments valued at $6.4 billion.
• African nations announced new marine protected areas from Tanzania to Senegal, along with regional cooperation to deliver conservation across national borders, according to AllAfrica.
• The global target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 was a central theme. AllAfrica quoted leaders and ocean champions urging the world to "make 30x30 real."
• Seychelles has legally protected 30 percent of its Exclusive Economic Zone—roughly 410,000 square kilometres—according to AllAfrica.
• Only 3.3% of the ocean is fully or highly protected, with destructive trawling and other harmful activities persisting in supposed sanctuaries, as reported by AllAfrica.
• The current architecture for financing ocean protection is "not fit for purpose," according to AllAfrica.
• Africa News, citing the FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report launched at the conference, reported that fish farming, or aquaculture, overtook traditional capture fishing as a source of food production in 2021 and surpassed 100 million tonnes for the first time in 2024.
• The same FAO report found that Africa lags behind, with only 18 percent of its fish coming from farms compared to around half elsewhere. Sub-Saharan Africa's fish production will need to grow by 68 percent by 2050 to meet population demand.
• Manuel Barange, director of the FAO's fisheries division, told AFP that aquaculture could be a "game-changer" for Africa but that governments need to create regulations and incentives to attract investors. The FAO argues that aquaculture is a more predictable and sustainable approach than traditional fishing.
• Overfishing remains a concern. The FAO report found that only 62 percent of global fisheries were sustainably fished, according to Africa News. AllAfrica reported that industrial fishing fleets are depleting fish stocks and threatening food security.

Perspectives

Ocean Governance and Fragmentation

An AllAfrica piece argues that the ocean is not fragmented but rather our power over it is. Institutions are carved into ministries, budgets, and treaties, each holding a piece of the same living water without coordination. The author cites the example of a mangrove viewed differently by different institutions—blue carbon to a climate negotiator, habitat to a biodiversity expert, nursery to a fisheries officer—and argues this fragmentation prevents effective delivery of change.

Africa's Leadership in Ocean Conservation

Another AllAfrica article highlights Africa's growing role in ocean diplomacy. It notes that 37% of African countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty and that African nations announced new marine protected areas at the conference. The piece frames Africa as "driving ocean action" and emphasises community-led conservation, including in Kenya.

Food Security and Artisanal Fisheries

A separate AllAfrica piece stresses that the ocean is essential to African food systems and livelihoods, with fish providing more than half of all animal protein in some countries. The author argues that artisanal fishers are often overlooked and that industrial fishing fleets threaten food security. The piece calls for protecting local fishing communities.

Financing and the 30x30 Target

AllAfrica reported that while Seychelles has legally protected 30 percent of its EEZ, the broader goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 requires effective protection and adequate financing. One article argues that the current financing architecture is not fit for purpose, and that the conference, while important, was not yet decisive.