Marine plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally, affecting ecosystems, economies, and human health. According to international assessments, millions of tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, with significant impacts on coastal regions, fisheries, and biodiversity.

African coastal states, particularly those bordering the Gulf of Guinea, are increasingly confronted with the environmental, economic, and social consequences of marine debris. For the 22 member states of the Abidjan Convention, this crisis reflects a broader regional challenge: the need to transition from reactive management to data-driven maritime governance.

Specifically, Cameroon’s 414km coastline, extending from the mangroves of the Wouri Estuary to the shores of Kribi and Limbe, is facing an unprecedented surge in marine plastic pollution. Urban runoff and industrial discharge have converted river systems into “plastic highways,” which deposit vast amounts of terrestrial waste into the Atlantic.

This crisis is compounded by sea-based debris, particularly in fishing hubs like Limbe, where discarded fishing gear and maritime waste now directly compete with seafood catch volumes. The combined debris obstructs drainage systems, exacerbating urban flooding in hubs like Douala, while simultaneously degrading fragile mangrove ecosystems and contaminating the fish stocks essential to the food security and livelihoods of millions of Cameroonians.