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Launch of the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme: One ocean, one future, West Africa leads the blue wave
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WASOP - West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme: large-scale cooperation between West Africa and the European Union to preserve the ocean and develop a sustainable blue economy, lasting five years, is funded by the European Union to the tune of €59 million. Officially launched in Mindelo (Cabo Verde) in early November 2025 during the 8th edition of Cabo Verde Ocean Week, the WASOP programme is fostering stronger partnerships between West Africa, the European Union, civil society and the private sector to protect the ocean and contribute to the sustainable development of the West African region.
The launch of the WASOP programme brought together 95 participants from the 13 coastal countries of West Africa, the European Union, the African Union, representatives of the programme's implementing partners, regional development organisations and banks (ECOWAS, UEMOA, African Union, BOAD, BIDC), representatives of civil society and the regional trade sector, and technical and financial partners.
Together, they laid the foundations for coordinated action within the framework of WASOP to ensure that sustainable fisheries, ecosystem protection and the development of a sustainable blue economy become drivers of positive change for the 100 million people living in the coastal regions of West Africa.
The official launch ceremony, attended by the leaders of the programme's implementing partner organisations, was followed by field visits and thematic working sessions (on IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing, marine resources, aquaculture and blue finance) and two plenary meetings, including the first programme steering committee meeting, bringing together all stakeholders, which marked the operational launch of the programme.
Blue finance, accelerating change
Several major announcements on blue finance marked the launch of WASOP. First, two memoranda of understanding were signed with BOAD and BIDC, signalling their firm commitment to strengthening their efforts to finance a sustainable blue economy.
In addition, the West African group of the FiCS Ocean Coalition, a global initiative of public development banks, was launched under the leadership of BOAD, with BIDC as a strategic member and two pioneering Cape Verdean commercial banks already in the coalition, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between banks in the service of blue finance.
Pillar 2 on the sustainable blue economy, coordinated by Expertise France, also presented two operational tools for scaling up the blue economy: (1) technical assistance for regional organisations and beneficiary countries and (2) a call for sustainable blue economy projects with a budget of €10 million.
Affirmation of a shared vision among all programme partners
The first steering committee brought together all the regional partners involved in the three pillars of the WASOP programme to launch, structure and set in motion a collective dynamic in favour of ambitious ocean governance in West Africa. By validating the programme's organisation, the strategic orientations of its three pillars and the 2026 programme, the members of the steering committee affirmed a shared vision, clarified roles and mobilised countries around the programme's objectives: strengthening maritime governance, stimulating a sustainable and inclusive blue economy, and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. By revisiting the integrated ‘seascape’ approach that underpins WASOP, participants anchored the programme in an innovative territorial logic conducive to inter-pillar synergies and sustainable impacts.
A regional consultation provided an opportunity to examine the actions to be taken at the West African regional level. Harmonisation of scientific production standards for ecosystem protection, management of marine protected areas, inter-regional trade, cooperation on blue finance, regional consultation on fisheries, inclusion of women and young people, regional strategy for the blue economy: participants called on their regional organisations and investment banks to make action for the development of a sustainable blue economy one of their priorities.
Field visits to understand the reality of ocean protection issues
The group visited a shrimp farm in Calhau, which produces according to ecologically and socially sustainable practices: employment of women, renewable energy, animal feed from local products, local consumption. This visit illustrated the challenges facing the aquaculture sector in terms of financing and the impacts of climate change, as the farm was partially destroyed by Hurricane Erin on 11 August and is seeking funding to support its development.
The EFCA (European Fisheries Control Agency) organised a visit to the fishing port of Mindelo, where participants were able to learn about the sector and the challenges facing industrial fishing, and discover the local and international control activities in place to combat IUU fishing.
The navigation simulator at the Mindelo Maritime School is a key tool for training maritime crews, particularly in the fishing industry. The visit highlighted the changes taking place in these professions, the associated risks and the need to strengthen training for seafarers.
Finally, Mindelo Marina, a unique initiative in the region, welcomed participants for a convivial evening. The WASOP launch event helped to strengthen ties between participants and foster a collective commitment to the programme's success. Mobilisation is underway, and the community gathered around WASOP is ready to take ambitious action: with the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme, West Africa leads the blue wave!
