Barriers and Enablers to Blue Carbon Projects in Africa: A Horizon Scan Analysis

Derrick Omollo, Peter I. Macreadie, Melissa Wartman, Ebrahem M. Eid, Kabari Sam, Fidèle Rakotonjanahary, Michael N. Githaiga, Jean Hugé, Salomão Bandeira, Ryan P. Moyer, Anne Kairu, Kipkorir Sigi Lang'at, Nafasi Mfahaya, Hajaniaina A. Ratsimbazafy, Frederick Asante, Miguel Castro, Samuel Appiah Ofori, Anusha Rajkaran, M'koumfida Bagbohouna and Maria Palacios

Sustainable Development, 2026, vol. 34, issue 3, 4348-4366

Abstract: Africa's ‘blue carbon ecosystems’ are increasingly recognised for their role in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods, with existing carbon offset projects showcasing their potential to sequester carbon and support community livelihoods. Despite this promise, blue carbon (BC) projects remain scarce across Africa. Understanding the barriers to BC implementation is therefore critical for unlocking their potential across the continent. Through a horizon scan and expert solicitation involving 41 participants from 20 countries, this study identified 13 major barriers spanning social, technical, economic, environmental, and policy domains. Governance obstacles, such as weak law enforcement, complex land tenure, and unclear carbon rights, emerged as the most significant reflecting Africa's diverse regulatory landscapes and often unstable political contexts. Socio‐economic challenges, such as few sustainable livelihood options for those involved in/impacted by BC projects, further constrain progress. Economic barriers, particularly limited funding for project design, monitoring, and delivery, also featured prominently. Technical and environmental factors, including low scientific capacity, fragmented ecosystem distribution, and climate‐driven impacts, further complicate project design and scalability. The barriers identified varied significantly across regions and ecosystem types. To overcome them, we propose targeted policy reforms, innovative financing, capacity building, and integrated management approaches that align local priorities with national climate goals. Collectively, these strategies can unlock Africa's BC potential, delivering substantial climate, biodiversity and socio‐economic benefits.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:3:p:4348-4366

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