#MaritimeAffairs

By Timothy Walker

New research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) shows why Africa must take advantage of the major opportunities its maritime or blue economy presents for employment, economic growth and wealth creation.

'For Africa to truly benefit from its blue economy, it must overcome its sea blindness', says Timothy Walker, ISS researcher in the Peace Operations and Peacebuilding division. '90% of Africa's trade is conducted by sea, and the demand for Africa's goods will always be there. But can Africa actually supply and transport these goods? This is just one of the questions we're trying to answer'.

In its ground breaking new paper on prospects for Africa's blue economy, by Professor Oliver Christian Ruppel and David Julian Biam, the ISS looks at key challenges to liberating the continent's maritime transport industry.

The African Union's (AU) 2050 Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy proposes laws that will open maritime trade and transport, heralding major economic changes of interest for the whole continent. The paper is part of the ISS' ongoing efforts to provide much needed analysis and research on African maritime issues, including maritime security.

Through its dedicated project, the ISS is already partnering with the Economic Community of West African States to implement its Integrated Maritime Strategy. The ISS also hosted a high-level event with Wilton Park in May 2015 on putting Africa's maritime security strategies into practice.

The ISS' latest research was featured in a View on Africa briefing, which together with an infographic and social media promotion, elicited discussion and media coverage. The findings and recommendations will be presented to decision makers in the maritime sector later this year at events in Pretoria, Addis Ababa and Dakar. Further research on how the AU is implementing its current maritime policies is also planned.

Credit: Kofi Sarpong