Training Programme in Ocean Governance for Africa
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
for the next IOI South Africa Ocean Governance Training Programme,
1 - 26 September 2025, Cape Town, South Africa
Deadline for Applicatins: 20th May 2025 (No late applications will be considered)
The International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI SA) is pleased to announce the annual 4-week Ocean Governance Training Programme, scheduled to take place from 1st to 26th September 2025.
The training programme is designed to enhance ocean governance knowledge and capacity across Africa, fostering collaboration, policy harmonisation, and sustainable ocean management.
The course will be delivered in hybrid format, consisting of:
- Week 1: Online learning sessions
- Weeks 2 – 4: In-person training at The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa
This training programme is designed to address the need for awareness and expertise in ocean governance within Africa. It aims to:
- Build a sustainable network of ocean governance experts on the continent
- Promote harmonized ocean policies for a shared and integrated management approach
Who Should Apply?
This course is designed for mid-career professionals, educators, researchers, and civil society members from African countries who have responsibilities or interests in coastal and marine governance.
Course Objectives
- Develop expertise in coastal and ocean governance
- Gain insight into regional seas, marine resources, and sustainable development
- Understand legal and regulatory frameworks for ocean governance
- Explore policy harmonisation and international conventions, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Learn about the role of science and technology in ocean governance
- Discuss emerging socio-economic and environmental challenges
- Analyse regional case studies and explore practical solutions
- Engage in discussions between managers, policymakers, and researchers
- Strengthen the science-policy interface in marine governance
- Contribute to the establishment of an active IOI network in Africa
- Course Structure
The programme consists of five core modules:
- Oceans and Coasts – Opportunities and Threats
- The Governance Framework
- Governance Tools
- Governance in Action
- Creating a Supportive Environment for Effective Governance
Additionally, participants will engage in field trips and assignments to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts.
For more info visit the IOI South Africa website here: https://ioisa.org/news/
For inquiries, contact: kgovender@ioisa.org
The International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI SA) is based in Cape Town, South Africa, functioning as the African regional training centre within the IOI global network. The IOI SA developed the 4-week training course in Ocean Governance for Africa in order to better address the management and governance capacity needs of the region. The course structure and content was broadly modeled on the courses run through IOI Canada and IOI Malta, with customization specific to the African continent. It was launched in 2013 in Cape Town with the support of the IOI through the Ocean Science & Research Foundation (OSRF) and the partners of the IOI SA. The programme is designed to suit a broad range of participants from government, NGO and private sector with varying backgrounds and levels of experience.
Training Programme information:
- Offered by IOI in Cape Town, South Africa
- Four week residential programme offered annually in September
- Coverage of regional Ocean governance issues with specific emphasis on the African Seas
- The course is designed to meet the need within Africa for awareness and training in Ocean governance. It works towards building a sustainable core of experts on Ocean governance on the continent. The course focuses on Africa and emphasises the benefits of harmonising ocean policies to promote a shared, integrated and common approach to Ocean management.
Basic Course Outline:
o Module 1: Oceans and Coasts – Opportunities and Threats
o Module 2: The Governance Framework
o Module 3: Governance Tools
o Module 4: Governance in Action
o Module 5: Creating a Supportive Environment for Effective Governance
Field Trips and Assignments:
Field trips during the course are held to demonstrate real examples of some of the governance tools and mechanisms. Participants will be expected to complete a number of assignments, one of which will be presented on the final day of the course.
Objectives:
Target Audience: The course is intended for mid-career professionals, educators, researchers and civil society members that have coastal and marine related responsibilities, functions or interests, preferably from countries within the African region.
More information can be found on the IOI South Africa website.
2024 Training Programme
Guided by the dedicated leadership of Lynn Jackson and Judy Beaumont, and with the invaluable support of Kirshia Govender, the International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI-SA), in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), successfully delivered the 11th Ocean Governance Training Programme. Held from November 4 to 29, this year’s course brought together 22 participants from 12 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Namibia, and Seychelles.
Over four weeks, participants engaged with leading regional experts across a wide range of ocean governance themes. The course emphasised interactive and experiential learning, featuring group discussions, policy brief exercises, and simulated governance activities. Read more...
2023 Training Programme
Under the able guidance of Directors Lynn Jackson and Judy Beaumont, and the assistance of Kirshia Govender, the International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI SA), organised and successfully delivered the 10th Ocean Governance Training Progamme, welcoming 23 local and international participants: 15 from South Africa, and 8 from Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya (2), Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania.
During the course, participants had the opportunity to engage with regional experts in a range of ocean governance thematic areas. Course content was complemented with interactive sessions and group discussions. Field trips provided an opportunity to apply the learnings in a practical setting. Read more....
2022 Training Programme
After the first two weeks of online training, it was finally possible to welcome the participants, to in-person training in Cape Town. Lectures were delivered by distinguished speakers from all over the region, with some presenting online. Field visits were also possible for the first time since the pandemic.
The course included legal, institutional, and technical aspects of ocean governance, with an emphasis on implementation, as this is a common shortcoming in capacity for environmental regulation in many African countries. Read more....