Africa Regional Coordinator

The Africa and Adjacent Island Blue Schools Network (ABSN) is a growing regional community of practice connecting National Blue Schools Networks, educators, students, researchers, ocean professionals, institutions and partners across Africa and the Adjacent Island States. The Network currently has established National Blue Schools Networks in Angola, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, with growing interest and proposed expansion in Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, alongside continued outreach to other countries across the region.

ABSN provides a regional platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and collective action, enabling National Coordinators, teachers, students and partners to share experiences, good practices, educational tools and innovative approaches to ocean literacy, ocean education and climate action. Through the Network, Blue Schools are helping to strengthen the connection between schools, science, communities and the ocean, empowering young people to better understand the importance of healthy and sustainable ocean and coastal ecosystems and to become active contributors to their protection.

The region contributes to the objectives of the UNESCO-IOC Blue Schools Global Network, while supporting the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and the development of an ocean-literate generation across Africa and the Adjacent Island States. And coordination of the  is led by Edwin Mwashinga of the UNESCO-IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) and Stephanie Nzeke Waniko, National Coordinator of the Blue Schools Network Nigeria, working collaboratively with National Coordinators and partners across the region.

Our Objectives

1. Strengthen Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

To facilitate meaningful collaboration, networking and the exchange of experiences, knowledge, educational resources, tools and best practices among National Blue Schools Networks across Africa and the Adjacent Island States. The Network provides opportunities for National Coordinators and partners to learn from one another, share successful approaches and collectively address common challenges in advancing ocean literacy and climate action.

2. Promote and Expand Blue Schools across the Region

Support the establishment, strengthening and expansion of National Blue Schools Networks, enabling more schools, teachers and learners to engage with ocean science, ocean literacy and sustainable ocean stewardship. ABSN aims to encourage the growth of locally relevant Blue Schools initiatives while promoting a shared regional vision for ocean education.

3. Build the Capacity of Educators and National Coordinators

To strengthen the capacity of teachers, educators, National Coordinators and other stakeholders to integrate ocean literacy, ocean science and sustainability into formal and informal education. The Network promotes peer learning, training, mentorship and the sharing of practical educational approaches that can be adapted to different national and local contexts.

4. Strengthen Linkages between Schools, Science and Communities

To connect Blue Schools with scientists, research institutions, coastal and island communities, policymakers, civil society and other stakeholders. ABSN promotes learning beyond the classroom by encouraging students to engage with real-world Ocean and Environmental challenges, participate in citizen science and develop solutions that are relevant to their communities.

5. Empower Young People for Ocean and Climate Action

To support children and young people to move beyond awareness and become active participants in ocean and climate action. Through Blue Schools, learners can develop the knowledge, skills, values and confidence needed to become informed decision-makers, innovators and responsible ocean stewards.

6. Contribute to Regional and Global Ocean Priorities

To contribute to the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and other relevant African, regional and global commitments by promoting ocean literacy, strengthening science-society connections and supporting the development of future generations committed to sustainable ocean stewardship.

Stories of Collaboration and Impact

Africa Blue Schools Knowledge Exchange Workshop: Learning Across Borders

One of the Network's important milestones has been the Africa Blue Schools Knowledge Exchange Workshop, bringing together National Coordinators and committees to share experiences, lessons and good practices from across the region. The workshop created an important opportunity for countries at different stages of Blue Schools development to learn directly from one another. National Coordinators shared their experiences in establishing and growing national networks, engaging schools and teachers, developing ocean literacy activities, building partnerships and responding to local environmental and educational priorities. The workshop strengthened relationships among National Coordinators and reinforced the vision of ABSN as a regional platform where countries can learn together, collaborate and grow together.

The ABSN is built on the diversity and innovation of its National Blue Schools Networks. Across the region, National Coordinators, teachers, students and partners are developing approaches that respond to their unique coastal, marine, freshwater and educational contexts. These stories include initiatives focused on: Ocean literacy and education,  The establishment and strengthening of Blue Schools and Blue School Clubs, Mangrove and coastal ecosystem conservation,  Citizen science and hands-on learning, Sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity awareness,  Community-based environmental action, Climate change education and resilience, Teacher capacity building, Youth leadership and ocean stewardship, Partnerships between schools, scientists, communities and institutions

The Network will continue to document and showcase successful projects and stories submitted by National Coordinators to demonstrate the diversity, innovation and growing impact of Blue Schools across Africa and the Adjacent Island States.

Our Vision

To ensure an ocean-literate Africa and Adjacent Island region where every learner has the opportunity to understand, value and act for the ocean, contributing to healthy ecosystems, resilient communities and a sustainable blue future. Together, we are building more than a network of schools. We are building a generation of informed, connected and empowered ocean stewards for Africa's Blue Future.