The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in partnership with the African Development Bank Group, recently launched a new multinational project to accelerate coordinated actions for the blue economy across the Horn of Africa.
Titled Building Blue Economy Resilience and Prosperity in IGAD & the Horn of Africa (BE-Prosper), the project was launched during an event held at IGAD headquarters in Djibouti from 17 to 19 November 2025. Senior government officials, development partners, experts, and regional institutions participated in the event.
Mohy Tohami, Director of Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration at IGAD, speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu, reaffirmed the regional institution’s commitment to unlocking the potential of the region’s blue economy.
« The IGAD region has vast blue economy resources that, if properly utilized, can reduce poverty and ensure food security for our population, » he said, adding that well-managed fisheries and resilient coastal economies are essential for regional transformation.
He emphasized the importance of harmonized fish standards, strong value chains, and expanded intra-regional fish trade as drivers of economic integration and improved livelihoods for communities.
Ahmed Khan, Chief Fisheries Officer and Project Team Lead at the African Development Bank, speaking on behalf of Pascal Sanginga, Regional Director for Agriculture and Agro-industry, highlighted the Bank’s commitment to strengthening aquatic food systems, sustainable fisheries, and regional value chains in East Africa.
« The African Development Bank is proud to partner with IGAD in leading a truly multinational initiative that brings together cross-border fisheries, food security, fragility reduction, and regional cooperation, » he said. He added that the Bank views the blue economy as a strategic driver of economic transformation and climate resilience. « This project will help member states improve fisheries management, develop value-added opportunities, and enhance livelihoods for coastal and riparian communities across the Horn of Africa. »
Funded by a USD 5.2 million grant from the Bank’s Transition Support Facility Pillar III, the project will be implemented in Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada.
The BE-Prosper project includes joint fisheries assessments, vessel monitoring, training and institutional capacity building with FAO and UBC, policy harmonization and facilitation of intra-regional fish trade under UNIDO, implementation of climate resilience tools and insurance mechanisms through IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, as well as a detailed project coordination framework to ensure efficient implementation.
BE-Prosper is expected to improve food security, stimulate local economies, enhance community resilience, and promote the development of an inclusive blue economy throughout the IGAD region. The initiative aims to ensure long-term prosperity for coastal and inland communities in the Horn of Africa through stronger governance, deeper collaboration, and sustained investments.
Daher Elmi, Director of Agriculture and Environment at IGAD, highlighted the progress made, noting that all IGAD member states have now 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, » Elmi said.
The project launch concluded with the establishment of a project steering committee and a collaboratively developed implementation roadmap.
Source: afdb
