European Union and Germany launch Benguela Current project

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BCC, and GIZ have unveiled the Blue Benguela Current Action project, designed to protect the Benguela Current, one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. The initiative, which comes with N$230 million (€12 million) in EU funding, will support sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and climate resilience across Namibia, Angola, and South Africa.

The Blue Benguela project represents a step forward in strengthening the EU-Namibia partnership, with a focus on ensuring a sustainable future for the region’s marine environments and the communities that depend on them. Local communities, particularly those in the Erongo region, will benefit directly from this initiative, as it promotes both the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Neville Andre Itope, the Governor of the Erongo region, expressed his support for the project, emphasizing its long-term impact on local communities. “It’s a wonderful initiative,” he said. “First, it’s looking at the preservation of our natural resources, which is something that we want to ensure future generations will benefit from.

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At the same time, it also focuses on the sustainable use of these resources, which benefits the communities directly. This project will also strengthen cooperation between South Africa, Angola, and Namibia.”

The launch of this project aligns with the broader efforts to address climate change, marine conservation, and the need for sustainable development in Southern Africa, all while ensuring that local communities are active participants in the conservation and use of their natural resources.