TERMS OF REFERENCE
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR
NATIONAL CONSULTANTS FOR THE
AFRICA GOVERNANCE REPORT 2025: NATURAL RESOURCES GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA AT THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLS
PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/AU/NAT/SEY/01/11/2024
AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM CONTINENTAL OFFICE, SOUTH AFRICA
MARINE RESOURCES (BLUE ECONOMY) GOVERNANCE
1. BACKGROUND
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in collaboration with the African Governance Architecture (AGA) Platform are developing the 4th Edition of the Africa Governance Report (‘the AGR25’), on the theme ‘Natural Resources Governance in Africa’. The mandate to develop the AGR 2025 derives from an AU Assembly decision- Assembly/AU/Dec.9(XXXVII), made at the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government held from 17-18 February 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Africa Governance Report (AGR) is a biennial publication of the AU on the state of governance in Africa. The AGR is a flagship initiative of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Platform. The AGR is produced by the APRM Continental Secretariat in collaboration with members of the African Governance Platform (AGP) of the AGA, pursuant to the AU Assembly Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.720 (XXXII).
The African Union (AU) recognises that deficits in natural resource governance compromise the development of industry, trade, and overall economic performance. Africa’s natural resources endowment is a bankable opportunity for economic and social development in African countries. However, the challenges in the governance of natural resources in African states translate into grossly underdeveloped global and continental value chains and inequitable distribution of gains from natural resources to African countries.
To this end the AGR25 seeks to: i) assess the state of natural resource governance in Africa, the institutional, legislative, and policy landscape of mineral resources, marine resources and land resources, ii) identify constraints and make recommendations on governance practices that create an enabling environment for and enhance value realisation and revenue management from natural resources, and iii) highlight best practices in the natural resource governance on the continent relevant to increasing dividends from natural resources nationally and globally.
The report shall also examine the critical nexus between development, peace and security, and natural resource governance. The significance of this nexus is also confirmed in the findings of the AGR 2023 on Unconstitutional Changes of Government, sub-themes of Economic Governance and Public Sector Accountability, and Diversity Management and Human Rights. That improved governance and management of natural resources enhance human rights, development, and ultimately peace and security.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat, an autonomous entity of the African Union, shall undertake the development of its fourth African Governance Report (AGR 2025) to examine the political economy and trends in the governance of natural resources. The report shall assess the laws, policies, and practices in the concerned sectors and how states exercise their authority in the administration of their implementation. The assessment shall employ a three-dimensional framework comprising enabling environment, value realization, and revenue management.is establishing a continental programme on natural resource governance in Africa.
To this end, the Secretariat is conducting reviews and studies to inform the approach and strategy of the programme. The purpose of the assessment and/or review is to examine the sufficiency and coherence of natural resource governance legislation and institutional arrangements on the continent. It is envisaged that the outcome of the review will inform the development of a normative framework for natural resource governance in African countries.
These Terms of Reference seek to recruit the services of a National expert in Marine resources (Blue Economy) governance herein referred to as ‘the consultant’), to undertake a desk study analysing the concepts, parameters, instruments and trends in socio-economic dividends from the exploration and exploitation of Marine resources (Blue Economy) sources to African countries.
2.1 MARINE RESOURCES (BLUE ECONOMY)
Marine Resources, as relates to the Ocean and Blue Economies, are important to consider for the AGR-25. The Blue Economy refers to the vast aquatic and ocean-based economic activities such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, ports, coastal mining, and energy. These activities are significant to the economic development of Africa’s coastal countries, and the sustainable use of ocean resources enhances economic growth, job creation, and ecosystem preservation. According to the AU and World Bank, the blue economy generated approximately $300 billion for the continent in 2022. However, unsustainable conservation of marine habitats, inadequate infrastructure development, and pollution threaten the optimisation of blue economy activities by African countries. The governance of blue economy activities greatly impacts coastal and marine landscapes and economies.
The continent has 38 coastal states and a number of island states such as Cape Verde, Sao Tomé and Principe, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and the Comoros. Among these island states are Small Island States (SIDS) African Small Island States boast vast maritime territories that are rich in biodiversity and natural resources, making them key players in this emerging economic paradigm. These include, among others, the Republic of Seychelles, the Union of the Comoros and the Republic of Mauritius for example. The Republic of Seychelles emphasises the importance of maritime resources in its Blue Economy Strategic Policy and Roadmap (2018-2030). The Union of the Comoros underscored the importance of the Blue Economy as a catalyst for economic diversification and poverty alleviation in its National Development Plan. And the Republic of Mauritius boasts a diverse marine ecosystem and a robust maritime infrastructure, facilitating trade, shipping, and offshore activities. These and many other coastal countries on the continent are reflected in the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (2019) as being optimal environments for the promotion, implementation and inclusion of the blue economy and climate change in environmental laws and policies.
3. THE ASSIGNMENT
The APRM is soliciting the services of a National Consultant to assess the Marine resources (Blue Economy) governance landscape and current normative instruments in the area of Marine resources (Blue Economy). Analysis of the area shall ensure that the political, economic, social, and environmental governance aspects are examined.
Specifically, these include:
- Mechanisms for inclusive governance and participation of non-state actors in Marine resources (Blue Economy) governance processes,
To read more and download the terms of Reference,click here
