Maputo, June 11, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo called for investment in ocean literacy on Thursday, particularly in schools, to build a blue future for Africa, urging international partnerships to turn projects into tangible realities.
“African youth (…) must view the oceans not as a heritage to be preserved, but as a space for opportunities, innovation, entrepreneurship and professional fulfilment,” said Daniel Chapo at the opening of the 3rd Crescendo Azul Conference, which runs until Friday in Maputo, also attended by Portugal’s Secretary of State for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Salvador Malheiro, and the Director-General for Maritime Policy, Marisa Lameiras da Silva.
Chapo said it was necessary to nurture a new generation that aspires to blue careers linked to science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, and that understands the strategic value of the oceans, developing a relationship of responsibility, competence and integrity with the continent’s marine environment.
“Blue careers must become an integral part of our sustainable and integrated development project. For this to happen, we must invest more in ocean literacy, starting with our schools,” he said.
According to Chapo, Africa’s blue future will be built in ports, ships and offshore platforms and in classrooms, laboratories and research centres, where leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs are trained.
“The blue future will be built by fishermen, but it will equally be built by scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and young African innovators who decide to dedicate their time and talent to the blue economy,” said Chapo, noting that realising this vision requires more funding, investment and partnerships between governments, national, regional and international financial institutions, as well as academia and the business sector.
“Our appeal to international partners is clear: Africa seeks partnership, investment, and cooperation based on mutual benefits; it seeks financial instruments that will enable projects to become concrete realities,” clarified the Mozambican head of state.
Daniel Chapo also wants the Growing Blue Conference to be a permanent platform for dialogue, cooperation and action, where countries from the region and around the world can share experiences, build consensus and create solutions for blue security and the blue economy.
“The future of Africa’s oceans depends largely on the courage and the decisions we take today at this conference. The time for declarations has passed. This is the time for action and results. The oceans face unprecedented challenges,” he declared.
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