Africa Community of Practice

Over 72 Africa CoP collaborators met to discuss ocean accounting progress across the continent and important upcoming events which can serve to advance ocean accounts and sustainable ocean development across the continent.

Key outcomes:

• Growing leadership: Since the launch of the Africa CoP in 2022, the collaborative platform has grown significantly under the leadership of Prof. Ken Findlay through his work at Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Centre for Sustainable Oceans and Afriseas Solutions. Now, for the first time, a regional CoP is to be adopted by a regional multilateral ocean development organisation – IOC-Africa (UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Sub-commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States) – who will formally co-coordinate the CoP with the GOAP Secretariat.
• Resources and knowledge products: New online platforms and educational materials are being developed to support ocean accounting initiatives across the continent
• Regional progress: Participants shared inspiring updates on ocean accounting projects from various African nations, demonstrating the growing integration of ocean accounts into national development frameworks

The Africa Dialogue was organised and hosted by the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership in collaboration with IOC-Africa and members of the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) Africa Community of Practice. This event was co-funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government.

The Africa Dialogue brought together over 50 scientists, economists, statisticians, and public servants from 7 coastal countries to progress ocean accounting as a key governance instrument for ocean sustainable development in Africa. Attendees (in-person and virtual) discussed innovative methods and approaches to strengthen the uptake of ocean accounts for ocean governance and ocean sustainable development, blue financing, social accounting, among others. The workshop further strengthened the Africa Community of Practice’s ocean accounting leadership on the continent, which will continue to drive uptake of ocean accounting into governance processes in support of ocean sustainable development aligned with relevant national priorities, and regional and global and multilateral environmental agreements.

The Africa Dialogue was organised and hosted by the South African National Research Foundation (SAEON - NRF), Ocean Accounts Framework Community of Practice at Nelson Mandela University's Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Afriseas Solutions, and members of the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) Africa Community of Practice. This event was co-funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government.

At the Global Dialogue on Sustainable Ocean Development in Indonesia, the Africa CoP convened during several regional events including a regional Knowledge Exchange and a Working Lunch. Members of the African CoP provided statements and perspectives to support the development of a draft Africa Ocean Accounts Strategy, outlining priorities to 2030. This strategy will be finalised through consultation in the latter half of 2024.

This event introduced stakeholders in the region to ocean accounting and its potential use as an ocean governance tool. Presenters showcased ocean accounts pilot projects from the region and around the world, highlighting the challenges and successes. A Position Paper was developed in preparation for the 3rd Global Dialogue on Ocean Accounting. Read more here.