Africa and the BBNJ Agreement - The Wake-Up Call the Continent Cannot Ignore

The BBNJ Agreement enters into force on 17 January 2026. It applies to areas beyond national jurisdiction which represent almost two thirds of the world’s ocean and addresses four main elements: marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; environmental impact assessments; and capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology. For Africa, this is not a distant or abstract issue. Ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction is critical for safeguarding livelihoods and supporting the well-being of the continent. The decisions made now will shape who benefits from ocean activities in these areas for decades.

Historically, Africa has struggled to coordinate policy across ministries, build scientific infrastructure, and assert itself in global ocean governance. Without preparation, the continent risks being sidelined while other, better-prepared countries define the rules and reap the rewards. Attendance alone is not enough; ambition, unity, and technical readiness are essential.

The Addis Ababa workshop is designed to raise awareness about and strengthen African States’ capacities towards becoming parties to the Agreement and for its effective implementation. The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, which serves as the interim secretariat of the Agreement, will deliver the first segment of the Workshop, offering an overview of the BBNJ Agreement. The International Union for Conservation of Nature will deliver the second segment of the Workshop, guiding countries on how to translate treaty rules into practical action, in particular with respect to area-based management tools and the necessary means of implementation. In this context, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa will explain the economic implications and how ocean governance fits into continental development. Together, these institutions provide knowledge and guidance, but the real work is up to African countries.

Africa has a chance to lead in ocean governance. The Agreement offers opportunities to benefit from marine science, access new resources, and conserve and sustainably use biodiversity. But that opportunity is not guaranteed. Without clear strategy, coordination, and preparation, African nations will remain on the sidelines. Weak coordination or vague positions will allow others to define African interests. Strong preparation, on the other hand, can shift Africa from being a spectator to a shaper of the global ocean commons.

Ghaamid Abdulbasat

The stakes are tangible. Healthy oceans underpin food security, livelihoods, and economic growth for millions of people. The BBNJ Agreement gives African States a chance to benefit from robust capacity-building, strengthen their ability to undertake activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and participate in benefit-sharing under the Agreement.

African states can choose to rise, lead, and secure a place in the future of ocean governance. Or they can watch others write the rules while they scramble to catch up. The ocean will not wait. Africa must act now.