The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in partnership with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), recently launched a new multinational project to accelerate coordinated blue economy actions across the Horn of Africa.
Entitled the Building Blue Economy Resilience and Prosperity in IGAD & the Horn of Africa (BE-Prosper) project, it was given the green light at a three-day event at the IGAD headquarters in Djibouti, from 17-19 November, which brought together senior government officials, development partners, experts, and regional institutions.
Speaking on behalf of Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, Mohy Tohami, IGAD Director of Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration, reaffirmed IGAD's commitment to unlocking the region's blue economy potential.
"The IGAD region has vast blue economy resources that, if properly used, will alleviate poverty and provide food security to our population," he noted, emphasising that well-governed fisheries and resilient coastal economies are central to regional transformation.
Mohy stressed the importance of harmonised fish standards, strong value chains and expanded intra-regional fish trade as drivers of economic integration and improved community livelihoods.
Representing the African Development Bank Group, Ahmed Khan, Chief Fisheries Officer and project team lead, delivered remarks on behalf of Pascal Sanginga, Regional Agriculture and Agro-industry Sector Manager. He underscored the Bank's commitment to strengthening aquatic food systems, sustainable fisheries and regional value chains across East Africa.
"The African Development Bank is proud to partner with IGAD as it leads a truly multinational initiative where transboundary fisheries, food security, fragility and regional cooperation come together."
He further noted that the Bank sees the blue economy as a strategic driver of economic transformation and climate resilience. "BE-Prosper will help member states improve fisheries management, expand opportunities for value addition, and enhance livelihoods for coastal and riparian communities across the Horn of Africa," he said.
Funded through a $5.2-million grant from Bank's Transition Support Facility Pillar III, the project supports Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan, in collaboration with FAO, UNIDO and the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The BE-Prosper project includes joint fisheries assessments, vessel monitoring, training and institutional strengthening with FAO and UBC; harmonisation of policies and facilitation of intra-regional fish trade led by UNIDO; climate resilience tools and insurance mechanisms from the IGAD Climate Prediction & Applications Centre; and a detailed project coordination framework to ensure timely implementation.
BE-Prosper is expected to enhance food security, stimulate local economies, strengthen community resilience, and promote inclusive Blue Economy development across the IGAD region. With stronger governance, deeper collaboration and sustained investment, the initiative is set to deliver long-term prosperity for coastal and inland communities across the Horn of Africa.
Daher Elmi, IGAD's Director of Agriculture and Environment, highlighted the progress made with all IGAD Member States now having validated national blue economy strategies.
"With BE-Prosper, we are moving from strategy to implementation. The project will translate our blue economy visions into real investments and tangible benefits for communities," he said.
The launch concluded with the establishment of a Project Steering Committee and an agreed implementation roadmap.
