Development of the Blue Economy concept in Eastern Africa: strategic frameworks and a simmering conflict

SUMMARY

Eastern African small island states played a role in advancing the ‘Blue Economy’ concept prior to the Rio+20 summit in 2012, when it emerged on a global stage. As their main concern they cited threats caused by climate change to marine life, on which they are highly dependent. This briefing explores the uneven development of the various national policies geared towards the concept. It notes an emphasis on economic policies neglecting climate change and dispute settlement policies, and identifies a need for the development of an all-encompassing regional approach to maximise Blue Economy benefits in Eastern Africa.

KEYWORDS:

• Eastern Africa
• Blue Economy
• ocean assets
• strategic frameworks
• maritime dispute
• maritime policies

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Jörg Wiegratz and the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on earlier versions of the text.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Claire A. Amuhaya

Claire A. Amuhaya is a researcher and assistant lecturer at the Department of Theory and History of International Relations at RUDN University, Moscow. Her main research interest is Africa, with a special focus on Eastern Africa.

Denis A. Degterev

Denis A. Degterev is head of the Department of Theory and History of International Relations at RUDN University, Moscow. He also teaches at MGIMO University, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and at Saint Petersburg State University. He specialises in the global South and development cooperation.