Maritime Security Threats in Africa

The African maritime industry or “blue economy,” in terms of fisheries, minerals, hydrocarbons, tourism, and trade from thirty-eight costal countries and six islands, is estimated to be worth US$ 1 trillion per year. Besides such economic potential, over 90% of African exports and imports are transported by water. While there is much potential, there is a tendency towards “sea blindness” and to ignore the maritime domain and its centrality to African economic growth as well as its security and defense. The maritime space has been a theatre of criminal activities and is host to a web of interconnected security threats. The protection of the Africa’s maritime space and its resources is a strategic security concern of costal countries and landlocked countries and requires the provision of effective maritime security. African states’ ability to collectively govern their maritime domains and to sustainably manage its resources determines their ability to deliver an array of benefits to their citizens and improve their provision of security and development.
• What is the economic potential of the maritime space of your country/region, and do you think this potential is being fully realized? Why or why not?
• Can you share some of key maritime security threats in your country/region, and whether they have been adequately addressed?
• Given the transboundary nature of threats facing maritime space, what is the level of cooperative, coordinated, and collective responses of countries in your region to maritime insecurity? Can you share some examples of such collective responses and what can be done better?
• What roles can security sector leaders play in fostering maritime safety and security?
Presented by:
Dr. Ifesenachi Okafor-Yarwood
Dr. Ali Kamal-Deen
Click here for the Program webpage, with recommended readings and panelist biographies:
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