Photo source: https://x.com/NOIweala (Malawi Foreign Affairs and Trade Ambassador Caroline Bwanali-Musa and WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala)
LILONGWE , Malawi 30 May 2025 –
A Landmark Ratification for Global Fisheries Governance
On May 28, 2025, Malawi formally became the 100th World Trade Organization (WTO) member to ratify the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The milestone, marked by the submission of Malawi’s instrument of acceptance by WTO Ambassador Caroline Bwanali-Mussa, underscores a deepening global commitment to sustainable fisheries and the fight against harmful subsidies that fuel overfishing and marine degradation. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala hailed the event as pivotal, noting that only 11 more ratifications are needed for the Agreement to become binding and enter into force.
Although Malawi is a landlocked country, its ratification symbolizes pan-African solidarity on the sustainability of aquatic resources. Ambassador Bwanali-Mussa emphasized Malawi’s broader environmental commitments, asserting that marine health directly affects inland nations through food security, employment, and economic resilience.
Substance and Purpose of the WTO Agreement
Adopted at the WTO’s Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) in 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies represents the organization’s first accord centered on environmental sustainability. The Agreement introduces binding prohibitions on subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the exploitation of overfished stocks, and unregulated fishing on the high seas. It also sets the stage for continued negotiations to broaden the scope of these disciplines and ensure comprehensive reforms in fisheries management.
A vital aspect of the Agreement is the provision for technical assistance and capacity-building support for developing countries and least-developed countries. These measures are designed to help governments transition toward sustainable fisheries practices and strengthen enforcement capabilities—areas where many African nations face significant constraints.
The African Context: Exploitation and Vulnerability
Illegal fishing is an entrenched issue in African waters, costing the continent an estimated $1 billion annually in lost revenue. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the proliferation of foreign fishing vessels—often from China, the European Union, and other major fishing nations—has led to systematic exploitation through practices such as misreporting vessel size, fishing in restricted areas, and colluding with small-scale fishers to circumvent licensing rules.
Africa remains the only region globally where per capita fish consumption is declining. This is particularly alarming given the dependence of over 200 million Africans on fish as a primary source of protein. In many countries, fisheries represent not just food security, but a critical pillar of employment and economic inclusion. Artisanal fishing, typically managed by men and supported by women in processing and trade, is especially vulnerable to being marginalized by large-scale industrial fleets.
Photo source: Photo by Wietse Jongsma on Unsplash (Toubakouta, Senegal )
Insights from the World Bank: A Framework for Sustainable Transformation
The World Bank has been at the forefront of efforts to restore and develop Africa’s fisheries through targeted investment, institutional reform, and climate resilience. Since 2005, the Bank’s Africa Program for Fisheries has worked to strengthen the governance of marine resources, empower coastal communities, and promote sustainable fishing practices. The initiative reflects a broader global vision articulated through the World Bank’s Global Program on Fisheries (PROFISH), which emphasizes food security, women’s empowerment, and poverty alleviation.
One of the flagship initiatives supported by the Bank is the West Africa Regional Fisheries Program (WARF-P), a $170 million multi-phase investment program aimed at rebuilding fish stocks and supporting community-based fisheries management from Mauritania to Ghana. Notable progress has been achieved in Cabo Verde, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. Here, local communities have been mobilized, fishing sites have adopted sustainable harvesting rules, and thousands of small-scale fishing vessels have been registered to regulate fishing effort and improve traceability.
Additionally, the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Program (SWIOFish) is another $215.5 million investment supporting East African and island nations to enhance regional collaboration and governance mechanisms.
According to the World Bank, fisheries currently contribute over $24 billion annually to Africa’s GDP and support more than 12 million jobs. However, weak governance and widespread IUU fishing continue to erode this potential. The Bank estimates that by reducing fishing effort by over 50%, Africa could unlock an additional 1.9 million tons of sustainable catch annually, and increase profits from $0.3 billion in 2012 to $10.3 billion annually.
Climate Change and the Future of Africa’s Fisheries
The World Bank warns that climate change is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in the fisheries sector. Rising sea temperatures, shifting migratory patterns, and increasing storm frequency are already diminishing the maximum catch potential in West African waters. Countries near the equator—such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire—could see reductions in catch potential ranging from 23% to over 55% by the 2050s, depending on the level of global emissions.
To address these threats, the Bank has launched the Climate Resilient Fisheries initiative, aimed at producing a comprehensive policy toolkit for governments and stakeholders. The goal is to integrate climate mitigation and adaptation into fisheries development strategies, with a strong emphasis on cost-effective, evidence-based solutions that prioritize vulnerable communities.
Governance, Enforcement, and Regional Integration
The World Bank and its partners have emphasized the importance of regional cooperation through entities like the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) and the Fishery Committee of the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC). These bodies play a central role in harmonizing national policies and creating a “regional dashboard” to promote transparency in licensing, revenue collection, and enforcement actions.
In Liberia, for example, increased surveillance and enforcement supported by WARF-P led to the fining of 48 illegal fishing vessels and generated $6.4 million in penalties. Communities in Robertsport and Tombo reported significant improvements in fish stocks and revenues following reductions in illegal fishing activity.
A Continental Imperative
Malawi’s ratification of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is both symbolic and strategic. It signals a growing alignment between African countries and the global agenda for ocean sustainability. But ratification is only the beginning. For the Agreement to transform Africa’s fisheries sector, it must be complemented by robust national reforms, strengthened governance, and enhanced surveillance capabilities.
The World Bank’s initiatives demonstrate that sustained investment, community engagement, and climate resilience can yield transformative results. As the African Union’s Agenda 2063 designates the Blue Economy as “Africa’s Future,” the challenge ahead is to align international commitments with local actions that protect marine ecosystems and uplift the lives of millions who depend on them.
