In a major policy shift with long-term environmental and economic implications, eight African countries—Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria—have adopted the ‘Yaoundé Declaration’, pledging to sustainably manage all ocean areas within their national jurisdictions by 2030. This decision was made during the International Conference on the Blue Economy in the Gulf of Guinea, hosted in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The declaration requires each country to develop Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) to guide the responsible use, restoration, and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. These plans also aim to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—one of the region’s most persistent challenges and to improve marine security and governance.
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The Gulf of Guinea is home to some of Africa’s most diverse marine ecosystems and supports millions of people through fisheries, shipping, and tourism. However, the region is under strain from pollution, climate-related disruptions, and resource over-exploitation. The commitment by these eight nations signals a more coordinated, evidence-based approach to ocean governance—one that prioritizes long-term resilience over short-term gain.
Wanjira Mathai, Director of WRI Africa, described the agreement as a clear example of African cooperation and leadership in marine resource governance. “With the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ set to be hosted in Kenya next year, this move demonstrates a growing regional voice in global sustainability conversations. Regional cooperation of this kind is essential if ocean management is to reflect shared priorities and practical solutions.”
The concept of Sustainable Ocean Plans is not new. It was introduced by the Ocean Panel—a coalition of 18 countries working towards sustainable ocean management—and supported by the 100% Alliance, co-led by France and Chile. What is significant now is Africa’s formal participation in this global initiative.
Cynthia Barzuna, Deputy Director of WRI’s Ocean Program, emphasized the strategic value of this move: “The Gulf of Guinea is one of the most biologically productive marine regions in the world. These commitments reflect a concrete strategy to balance resource use with environmental responsibility. SOPs provide a practical roadmap for how to achieve that balance.”
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The United Nations has also weighed in. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, speaking at the conference, highlighted the Gulf of Guinea’s Blue Economy as central to both the UN Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 14, Life Below Water) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. She also stressed the need to align ocean policy with inclusive economic development, environmental protection, and maritime security.
Her visit included bilateral meetings with Cameroon’s leadership to discuss how the UN can support the country’s development goals and improve regional cooperation on ocean and coastal issues.
The Yaoundé Declaration does more than set a 2030 target. It marks a shift toward practical implementation, where regional coordination and science-based planning are seen as essential tools for marine management. As the rest of the world watches how these SOPs take shape, the Gulf of Guinea may emerge not just as a beneficiary of global climate policy, but as a contributor to its evolution.
