Nigeria, Feb. 3 -- In 2022, global ocean governance took a major leap forward. That 'super year' included the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ban on harmful fisheries subsidies, progress to secure agreement on the United Nations (UN) High Seas Treaty, the second UN Ocean Conference, and the adoption of ambitious ocean conservation targets.

With its 38 coastal states, Africa could be a significant player in shaping these determined steps to better global ocean governance - but its current approach lacks consistency across issues and projects.

This could change if African countries lend their weight to three key initiatives - making 2025 a 'super year' for the continent. These are the High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National...