Africa Blue Economy Strategies Integrated in Planning to Achieve Sustainable Development at National and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to map-out African Union Member Countries and Regional Economic Communities engaged in Blue Economy. This engagement would provide some directed actions on how Blue Economy is contributing to achieving Sustainable Development in Africa. The methodology to analyze the Blue Economy data is based on “Sociographic, Type of activities, Intellectual Property focus and Business Model development, Descriptive Statistics, Business Models, Ranking of existing projects by business and innovation readiness”. Additional data obtained from Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and National Blue Economy Strategies and online internet search. The Blue Economy cuts-across several industries, sectors, and thematic areas. This inherently creates complexity when attempting to understand the extent of its socioeconomic context in aspiration of development achievement. The effect of human dependence on Blue Economy resources is not always monetary. Some of the people use the resources for artisanal purposes, for exchange and trade, while others utilize it for the recreational and religious benefits associated with the blue natural resources. The well-being of people is a central pillar of the Blue Economy resulting in an immediate need to understand the socioeconomics of the Blue Economy as well as how to measure changes, or progress, associated with it for development achievement. The planning aspect of Blue Economy requires strategic interventions at local, national, and regional levels that spur integration aspects of the Blue Economy into development achievement. The Blue Economy development achievements require engagement of the stakeholders and elaborate consultations of the African Union Member States and Regional Economic Communities. This is because Blue Economy entails the sustainable use and conservation of marine, inland, aquatic, and coastal resources for food security, job creation, and economic growth. It is important therefore to ensure an overall consistency, coherency and synergy and develop bridges and leverage resources between the various implementation plans for strategies including Blue Economy strategies developed by some National and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa.