By Carbon to Sea Initiative
Last month, Carbon to Sea co-hosted the Africa Ocean-Climate Solutions Pavilion, organized by Ocean Visions at the Africa Climate Summit 2 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Pavilion was hosted in partnership with Ocean Visions, the Ocean Resilience & Climate Alliance, the Kuehne Climate Centre, the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, and UNESCO IOCAFRICA.
Over the three days, the Pavilion celebrated and showcased African leadership, knowledge, and innovation in addressing ocean health and climate change. Scientists, leaders, and innovators from across the continent convened to discuss the latest science and strategic opportunities to advance ocean-climate actions on six priority areas: marine carbon dioxide removal, blue carbon restoration, blue foods, marine renewable energy, maritime decarbonization, and community-led adaptation.
“It was incredible to be able to meet so many African climate leaders and changemakers,” said Carbon to Sea Senior Manager of Communications Danny Gawlowski, who attended the event. “The Ocean-Climate Solutions Pavilion played a key role in hosting conversations about the importance and opportunity for African leadership on ocean-based solutions. I hope these conversations only grow in future summits.”
The first day of the Pavilion centered around accelerating R&D for ocean-climate technologies, including decarbonization, marine carbon dioxide removal, and other emerging pathways. The Global Wind and Energy Council led a discussion of opportunities in offshore wind and renewable ocean energy in Africa. Ocean Visions and the Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub Kenya hosted workshops on how to leverage African innovation in shaping a roadmap for marine carbon dioxide removal research. The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and the Professional African Technical Network and Advisory Group hosted other sessions on decarbonizing Africa’s blue economy and supporting a growing algae economy.
“Marine carbon dioxide removal technologies are very important because they’ll not only support climate change mitigation, but also will support resilience and livelihoods of coastal communities if it is done properly in an equitable way,” said Dr. Mariam Swaleh, the Project Lead of the Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub Kenya.
Day two of the Pavilion spotlighted efforts to strengthen Africa’s ocean-climate frontlines through adaptation and resilience, with sessions dedicated to the promotion of blue foods and resilient ecosystems. The Tanzania Ocean Climate Innovation Hub, Blue Ventures, and aquaculture specialist Tim Klükow spoke about ways to finance resilient ocean communities, promote African leadership in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), develop blue carbon strategies, and rebuild coastal fisheries.
“Africa is not waiting. Africa is building solutions for African people, by African people.” said Shamim Wasii Nyanda, the Project Lead of the Tanzania Ocean Climate Innovation Hub. “This is in line with Africa’s Agenda 2063, which envisions ‘The Africa We Want’ a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable continent built on homegrown solutions and innovation. Oceans and blue economies are central to this vision with over 12 million Africans depending directly on small-scale fisheries for their livelihoods, while marine and coastal ecosystems contribute more than $24 billion annually to Africa’s GDP. Yet these same ecosystems face growing threats from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. To realize the promise of Agenda 2063, Africa must harness its vast ocean resources for climate resilience, food security, and blue jobs, ensuring that solutions are not imposed externally but are instead designed and led by Africans themselves. By aligning ocean–climate innovation with Agenda 2063, initiatives like the Tanzania Ocean Climate Innovation Hub are showing that Africa’s leadership is not only urgent but indispensable for global ocean climate action.”
The final day was dedicated to advancing ocean-climate solutions through equity, innovation, and governance, featuring activists, emerging technology specialists, and ocean-climate researchers. The Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) and Emerging Climate Frontier discussed the relationship between artificial intelligence and the safe-guarding of African marine ecosystems. Kinjani’s session focused on the urgent need to develop and support African talent as the foundation for scaling ocean-climate solutions, and marked the launch of SAILOR – the South African Innovation Lab for Ocean-Climate Resilience. The Morocco Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub and the Professional African Technical Network also convened sessions on gender-responsive strategies, safeguards for the energy transition, and building the skills pipelines to drive it.
“Supporting African talent is key to unlocking ocean-climate solutions,” said Caitlin Wale, CEO & Founder of Kinjani. “Launching SAILOR at the Pavilion showed how Africa can lead in shaping this future.”
We’re grateful for the collaboration of Ocean Visions and all of our partners in bringing this important forum to life. Stay tuned for more updates as Carbon to Sea continues to build on the momentum and partnerships made at the Second Africa Climate Week.
