The Great Blue Wall (GBW) is an African-led movement
spanning ten nations of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Its purpose is simple
but ambitious: restore ocean health, strengthen coastal resilience, and expand
opportunities for the people whose lives are rooted in the sea.
By connecting mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs, and
coastal communities into a unified system of protection and regeneration, the
GBW turns shared challenges into shared strength.
Why the Great Blue Wall, Why Now
The Western Indian Ocean is approaching a critical
threshold. Marine ecosystems are degrading under growing climate, economic, and
human pressures. For millions who rely on fisheries, tourism, and coastal
resources, this decline directly threatens food security, culture, and
livelihoods. Yet the region still holds immense potential for recovery. The GBW
provides the regional framework and momentum needed to restore ecosystems,
empower communities, and build resilience at scale while there is still time to
secure a regenerative future.
Our Four Pillars of Change
Blue Planet Inclusive Ocean Governance, Strengthening
coordination, accountability, and coherent governance across WIO nations. This
pillar advances policies grounded in science, equity, and participation ensuring
that decision-making reflects the needs of coastal communities, national
priorities, and regional stability.
Blue People - Regenerative Blue Economy
Building economic systems that restore, rather than deplete,
ocean health. This includes community-led enterprises, value chains that
benefit coastal people first, and innovations that create long-term,
climate-resilient livelihoods.
Blue Nature -
Nature-Based Solutions
Restoring and protecting ecosystems mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs, wetlands—using proven nature-based approaches that deliver climate resilience, biodiversity gains, and cultural continuity.
Blue Partnership - Usual & Unusual Partnerships
Mobilizing diverse partners: communities, governments,
finance institutions, private sector actors, artists, scientists, youth
movements, and traditional knowledge holders. These “usual and unusual”
alliances accelerate innovation, unlock resources, and scale impact far beyond
what any single actor can achieve. Together, these pillars create a system
where governance, nature, people, and partnerships reinforce each other to
build a resilient ocean region.
The Impact So Far.
Across the WIO, the GBW is
moving from vision to measurable action:
•160+ hectares of mangroves
restored, improving carbon storage, fish habitats, and shoreline protection.
•15 community-led seagrass
micro-grants strengthening monitoring, conservation, and local enterprises.
•1,600+ stakeholders engaged
regionally in shaping fairer, more coordinated ocean governance.
•30+ women-led initiatives
advancing conservation leadership and blue entrepreneurship.
•National fisheries and coastal
laws updated to expand co-management and community rights.
These outcomes represent tangible change: ecosystems
healing, communities leading, and systems shifting toward regeneration.
Join the Movement: The Great Blue Wall is more than a
program it is Africa’s collective commitment to a thriving ocean future. Whether
you are a fisher, scientist, policymaker, youth leader, entrepreneur, or
cultural innovator, your voice strengthens this movement. Together, we are
building a coastline defined by resilience, opportunity, and restored
ecosystems today and for generations ahead.
Join Us >>> bluewall
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