In September 2025, the High Seas Treaty, officially termed the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), achieved the threshold required for entry into force, a pivotal milestone in protecting the world’s oceans and strengthening Africa’s role in global ocean governance.

The treaty introduces the first global, legally binding framework to conserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Although global attention centers on the treaty’s environmental impact, Africa highlights a human dimension safeguarding livelihoods, food and survival for millions of individuals who depend on the sea. This moment also cements Africa’s role in global ocean governance, showing how the continent aligns environmental governance with development goals.

Oceans and Africa’s Fight for Food Security

In many African nations, the ocean forms the backbone for daily survival, feeding families and supporting trade and employment. For Africa, protecting the oceans is directly linked to protecting people’s jobs and food sources. A World Bank report highlighted the key contribution of fisheries to food availability across the continent: “The sector presents a key social safety net… on average, fish and fish products account for 18% of animal protein intake by African consumers, and the sector provides employment to over 12 million people.” Greenpeace Africa noted that “Over 200 million Africans depend on fish as a primary source of protein.” However, years of unsustainable fishing practices and climate change have severely reduced fish populations and threatened food security across Africa.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the High Seas Treaty seeks to tackle these challenges through a global framework aimed at conserving marine life, governing activities on the high seas and ensuring the fair sharing of ocean resources.

For coastal African states that rely heavily on the migration of fish species, stronger high-seas governance offers a pathway to improve food security and sustain employment for millions.
Khan stated that “diets of fish and aquatic foods provide animal-source protein, omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients, including both vitamins and minerals, necessary for both the ill and the healthy,” reinforcing the importance of aquatic foods as a cornerstone of nutrition in Africa.

Africa’s Ocean Diplomacy

Africa’s role in global ocean governance has expanded significantly in recent years, with the continent taking on a central role in shaping international marine policy. Throughout the High Seas Treaty negotiations, the African group pushed for fairer systems of benefit-sharing and greater technical support for developing nations. Their advocacy helped secure provisions linking ocean conservation with fairer access to the sustainable use of ocean life for developing states. The treaty establishes practical tools to safeguard marine ecosystems.

Blue Diplomacy

For Africa, the High Seas Treaty marks a pivotal shift in its participation within global frameworks for ocean protection and environmental cooperation. Ambassador Michael Kanu, Sierra Leone’s lead negotiator, explained that by acting collectively, African countries ensured their interests were built into the framework shaping how the world manages the high seas. Naidoo described this proactive diplomacy as demonstrating “the continent’s ability to shape global norms, rather than merely adapt to them,” reflecting an emerging form of blue diplomacy. By signing on to the treaty, South Africa reinforced the message that caring for shared oceans is essential not just for the planet’s health but for Africa’s future prosperity.

Oceans and Survival

Senegal’s story highlights that ocean policy in Africa is not only about making agreements but about protecting lives. The decline of local fish stocks has forced many to leave in search of work elsewhere. The Environmental Justice Foundation reported that over half of Senegal’s fisheries are now depleted, while almost half of the boats allowed to fish there belong to foreign companies. As a result, large vessels have emptied the seas and ruined habitats, reducing the incomes of small local fishers.

The decline in fish availability has pushed many coastal workers to migrate irregularly toward the Canary Islands, a journey known for its high death toll.

Each year, West African nations lose an estimated $9.4 billion to illegal fishing operations, which account for around a third of the total fish caught across West African waters, according to the Stimson Center. But the damage goes beyond money, as illegal fishing undermines local governance and destroys jobs, threatening millions across the region.

A Humanitarian Frontier

As the High Seas Treaty comes into force, African nations are emerging as central players in shaping how the world governs the oceans. Their engagement goes beyond diplomacy and reflects a matter of survival. Africa’s role in global ocean governance will be crucial in defining how shared marine resources are protected and managed. For countless African communities, this effort is not just about safeguarding the environment but about keeping the ocean as a reliable source of food on their tables.

– Ciara Moore

Ciarais based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons