• Africa@Nor-Shipping 2019 will through the Africa Conference on 5th June 2019, provide an arena to match Norway's ocean and BE expertise with the enormous growth potential and forward leaning business climate of the African continent in these areas.

• The Africa Exhibition Pavilion will provide a strong platform to showcase Africa’s leading companies and institutions in the Ocean and Blue Economy (BE) sectors. The pavilion will open windows of opportunity to identify, explore and strenghten collaborations between Africa and Norway/the Nordic region in the BE.

• Africa@Nor-Shipping 2019 will also create meeting spaces - at the bilateral/inter-state and B2B levels - for African delegations and companies to engage with Norwegian and international actors to jointly identify and promote mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities.

• To assemble African and Nordic/global players to explore business and investment opportunities in Africa’s Ocean and BE sectors.

• To showcase ongoing activity in Africa’s BE through a 100sqm Africa Exhibition Pavilion. that will be allocated to African countries, organizations and private companies.

• To profile and discuss issues relevant to the development of Africa’s BE and its contribution to Intra- African trade.

• To provide a platform for bilateral meetings between delegations from African countries and their Norwegian/Nordic counterparts on issues related to the BE.

• To provide a platform for B2B meetings and the development of sustainable business opportunities in Africa’s BE.

The term “blue economy” evokes a variation of definitions. According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem." The European Commission defines it as "All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts," while the Center for the Blue Economy defines it in terms of three related but distinct meanings viz - the overall contribution of the oceans to economies; the need to address the environmental and ecological sustainability of the oceans; and the ocean economy as a growth opportunity for both developed and developing countries."

Oceans cover over 70% of the earth's surface and are central to life on earth. They are a rich source of food and valuable minerals, a vast waterway for international trade and movement of people, and for many, a giant recreation and cultural heritage space. Today more than two thirds of the world's population live within 100 kilometres of coastlines. In Africa, 38 of 54 African states are coastal states. More than 90% of Africa’s imports and exports are transported by sea and some of the most strategic gateways for international trade are on the African continent, which underscores the continent’s geopolitical importance and the relevance of sound ocean governance to the continent’s well-being.