The sustainable blue economy is set to take center stage at the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) this June in Kenya, marking a historic first as the event convenes on African soil, and the timing couldn’t be more significant.
The global ocean economy is no niche sector. With an estimated annual value of $2.5 trillion, it would rank as the world’s 7th largest economy. It already accounts for roughly 7% of global trade, spanning everything from tourism and fisheries to biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and offshore renewable energy. More than 600 million jobs depend on it.
But here’s the tension: the sustainable blue economy is growing fast, 2.5 times larger than it was in 1995, outpacing the global economy itself. Yet much of that growth remains unsustainable, inequitable, and vulnerable to climate risk. That’s exactly the challenge OOC11 aims to confront.
Why this moment matters
Holding the conference in Kenya is more than symbolic. Africa’s blue economy is projected to exceed $400 billion by 2030, with enormous potential to drive jobs, food security, and economic development, particularly across the Western Indian Ocean.
Kenya itself is leaning into the opportunity to convert that potential into reality. Earlier this year, the government launched its National Blue Economy Strategy 2025–2030, aiming to increase annual sector revenues nearly tenfold and significantly expand sustainable fishery and aquaculture production. It’s a clear signal that the blue economy is central to national development strategies, in Kenya and across the region.
At the same time, many of the sectors driving growth are under pressure:
- Shipping, which carries over 80% of global trade, is responsible for about 3% of global CO₂ emissions, and progress toward decarbonization remains slow and politically contested.
- Fisheries, a cornerstone of global food systems, support 500 million livelihoods, yet face mounting stress from overexploitation and climate change.
- Tourism, which UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates accounts for the largest share of blue economy exports, at roughly one-third of total export value, is rebounding post-COVID. Still, unsustainable development threatens ecosystems and remains highly climate-vulnerable.
- Coral reefs, which generate billions in tourism value and support coastal protection and food security, are now at existential risk from ocean warming and acidification.
From growth to sustainability
The core question shaping OOC11 is no longer whether the blue economy will grow, but how it will grow.
A sustainable blue economy means aligning economic expansion with:
- Climate goals (including decarbonizing shipping and scaling offshore renewables)
- Biodiversity protection (restoring mangroves, protecting reefs, and managing fisheries sustainably)
- Equity and inclusion (especially for small-scale fishers and coastal communities who depend the most on ocean resources)
The opportunity is substantial. According to the Ocean Panel, investing $2.8 trillion in just four ocean-based solutions – offshore wind, sustainable ocean food, green shipping, and mangrove restoration – could generate $15.5 trillion in net benefits by 2050 and create 12 million jobs.
A platform for action
OOC11 is expected to focus on unlocking that potential by:
- Driving investment into sustainable ocean industries
- Accelerating innovation and ocean-based entrepreneurship
- Strengthening policy and financing pathways for inclusive, sustainable growth
It will also highlight practical solutions already underway across Africa and the world, from sustainable tourism initiatives (including efforts to eliminate plastic waste across the sector) to advances in marine biotechnology and low-carbon food systems.
Why Africa’s leadership matters
Bringing the Our Ocean Conference to Kenya shifts the narrative.
Too often, discussions about ocean sustainability are framed through the lens of global institutions or high-income economies. OOC11 offers a platform to showcase African leadership, innovation, and expertise in managing ocean resources, particularly in regions where the stakes are highest.
Because ultimately, the future of the blue economy will be decided not just by global commitments, but by how well solutions are grounded in local realities, regional priorities, and inclusive governance.
As the world looks to the ocean for solutions to climate change, food security, and economic growth, OOC11 is a reminder of what’s at stake:
The blue economy can be a powerful engine for sustainable development. But only if we get the balance right between growth, equity, and resilience. June’s discussions in Kenya will help define that path forward.
Photo: David Munyasa, pexels.com
