Seaweeds are highly productive resources and hold vast potential for contributing to development aspirations in Africa, and particularly to the development of Africa’s Blue Economy. Globally, seaweed is one of the fastest growing food production sectors in the world today. Seaweed has the potential to improve livelihoods, food security, preserve marine biodiversity, and empower value chains actors including some of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. Seaweeds also play a significant role in climate change adaptation. In East Africa, the majority of people working in the seaweed sector are women.

The AUDA-NEPAD, is working to maximise the value of Africa’s Blue Economy through implementation of key objectives of the Agency’s Blue Economy Programme. The seaweed sector has been identified as a priority for development. While the sector in Africa is considered nascent in many respects, it offers significant opportunities for livelihood diversification and is one to watch for blue economy expansion in Africa.

The AUDA-NEPAD has embarked on a journey to develop a broader African Seaweed Programme to raise the profile of Africa’s seaweed value chains. The programme will involve support for the coordination of efforts and stakeholders involved in the industry by strengthening the community of practice and facilitating dialogue among key stakeholders on improved seaweed production, processing and marketing while moving towards women’s empowerment. This awareness raising session, is a product of workshops on Strengthening Africa’s Seaweed Value Chains. Outcomes from this Session) are expected to contribute to the development of a broader seaweed programme in Africa. The session is also well in line to AFRAQ24 Conference theme and objectives on “Blue Farming: New Horizons for Economic Growth”

AGENDA