Home – Great Blue Wall

It is African-owned, African-led, and globally connected.

“We are building a network of thriving coastal communities and restored ecosystems across the Western Indian Ocean, now, for generations to come.”

It is African-owned, African-led, and globally connected.

“We are building a network of thriving coastal communities and restored ecosystems across the Western Indian Ocean, now, for generations to come.”

The truth is simple

The ocean that sustains us is under pressure, and recovery is no longer guaranteed.

Globally, marine ecosystems are declining faster than they can regenerate. In the Western Indian Ocean, this threatens food security, culture, and economic stability for millions.

WHY NOW

The Western Indian Ocean is at a tipping point.

Marine ecosystems are declining faster than they can regenerate. In this region, millions depend on the ocean for food, culture, and livelihoods. Without immediate action, we risk permanent loss, but recovery is still possible if we act now.

Our Impact

500

THE JOURNEY AHEAD

The Great Blue Wall is entering its next chapter, a decade of scaling ocean restoration, strengthening community leadership, and building a truly regenerative blue economy across the Western Indian Ocean.

After laying the foundation, the mission now is to accelerate collective impact and deepen regional unity for people, nature, and climate.

Scaling Ecosystem Health and Seascape Management

From successful pilots to large, interconnected seascapes, efforts are expanding to restore mangroves, seagrasses, corals, and dunes. These actions are guided by science, local priorities, and the wisdom of coastal communities.

Building a Regenerative Blue Economy

Coastal communities are taking the lead in ocean-based enterprises such as fisheries, seaweed farming, ecotourism, and conservation finance. The focus is on creating lasting livelihoods while unlocking new funding streams through blue bonds, blended finance, and carbon markets.

Shaping Global and Regional Ocean Policy

The Great Blue Wall is positioning the Western Indian Ocean as a global model for inclusive and science-driven ocean governance. This growing movement contributes directly to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the 30x30 global biodiversity target, showcasing African leadership on the world stage.

By 2030, the Great Blue Wall Will

01.

Protect or restore 2 million square kilometres of seascapes

02.

Improve the lives of 10 million coastal people

02.

Establish 50 regenerative blue economy hubs

03.

Ensure all Western Indian Ocean countries align with the GBW vision

Blue Planet

focuses on this effort by supporting the establishment of relevant governance frameworks at seascape level and the necessary enabling
policy frameworks at national, regional and international levels.

Blue Nature

focuses on securing the integrity of
critical ecosystems by accelerating and upscaling the restoration and conservation of critical blue
ecosystems by driving the implementation at scale
of Nature-based Solutions.

Blue People

Focuses on unlocking the potential of our blue natural capital by supporting the development of a regenerative blue economy.

Blue Partnerships

Because overcoming today’s challenges will require all parties to join forces, and for conservation efforts to be sustainable and impactful at scale, innovative and ambitious partnerships will be a critical piece of the solution.

Our Geographies

GBW works across East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean—spanning Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Comoros—where communities, governments, and partners unite to restore mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass, strengthen locally managed marine areas, reduce plastic waste, and improve coastal livelihoods through sustainable blue economy practice

Together, these geographies showcase GBW’s vision of resilient oceans, thriving communities, and a sustainable blue economy.