National Blue Economy Strategy of Ethiopia 2023-2027

National Blue Economy (BE) Strategy of Ethiopia 2023-2027 is aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth, improved livelihoods and environmental stewardship through the sustainable utilization of all water-based resources. The main purpose of the Strategy is to demonstrate and support enhanced collaboration among BE sectors in more effectively addressing areas of joint concern, with the aim to improve income generation, enhance livelihood and food security, resilience and participation in natural resources management of youth, women and men in all sectors. In addition; the strategy is regarded as the primary implementation plan which turns policies into effective and practical actions. As such, it is comprising guiding principles, strategic goals, intervention priorities, and logical framework as a foundation for developing the BE related activities.
The “Blue Economy” includes all activities developing or deriving from marine and aquatic ecosystems including oceans, coasts, seas, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and associated resources. The “Blue Economy” is regarded as the combination of socio-economic development activities with safeguards against environmental degradation and optimization of benefits which may be derived from marine resources. It covers all water instances, including lakes and rivers, in addition to oceans and the coast. The main sectors of concerned economic activities are fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, ports, energy and mining with many links to other sectors.
The main principles that underpin the implementation of Blue Economy are: the circular economy; good governance and environmental and social sustainably. The following four strategic goals are identified as a pillar for the national BE strategy: Strategic Goal 1: Establish functional blue economy governance policy and investment framework, regulations and coordination mechanisms; Strategic Goal 2: Identify, Develop and Implement Blue Economy Priority Program of Actions at Sectoral level; Strategic Goal 3: Create empowerment and inclusive decision making, Environmental Sustainability, and Economic Viability Conditions; Strategic Goal 4: Accelerate the Exploitation of Blue Economy Sectors and Industries through Innovation, Research and Development
Within the Strategic intervention areas are relevant: fisheries and aquaculture where the major goal in the strategy is optimize conservation, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture resources use; achieving full wealth generating potential for fisheries and aquaculture sector to optimally contribute to the blue growth; ensuring sustainable social, economic, environmental, and equitable outcomes and human rights whilst safeguarding natural capital and blue investment.