Civil Society Demands for a Fossil Free Ocean:
Stop Offshore Oil and Gas Expansion in Africa
We, the undersigned African and global civil society organizations, social movements, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, small-scale fishers’ associations, climate justice groups, youth organisations, women-led organizations, faith-based organisations, environmental defenders and grassroot movements, call for an urgent and just phase out of fossil fuels and an immediate halt to offshore oil and gas expansion across Africa’s ocean.
As the 11th Our Ocean Conference convenes in June 2026, on African soil for the first time, we affirm that Africa’s ocean, coastlines, biodiversity and coastal communities must not become sacrifice zones for continued fossil fuel extraction. Offshore oil and gas activities across the continent threaten marine ecosystems, food sovereignty, biodiversity, livelihoods, human rights and global climate stability. The expansion of offshore fossil fuel projects directly contradicts global climate goals, biodiversity commitments, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and the urgent need for a just and equitable energy transition.
Furthermore, the frightening expansion of offshore fossil fuels grossly undermines international laws like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ); the United Nations International Seabed Authority (ISA) and many International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions, all of which impose legally binding obligations on states to protect and preserve the marine biodiversity, prevent ocean pollution and ensure equitable sharing of benefits.
The Orange Basin: A New Frontier of Resistance
The Orange Basin has become one of the world’s newest fossil fuel frontiers despite mounting scientific evidence that new fossil fuel development is incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C and we express grave concern over the fossil fuel exploration and extraction in the Orange Basin spanning Namibia and South Africa.
Expansion into the Orange Basin will lock Africa into decades of new fossil fuel dependency, especially with stranded assets. Framing offshore fossil fuel extraction as “development” is a myth. Instead, communities face environmental destruction, exclusion from decision-making and deepening climate vulnerability.
Kavango Basin
Onshore oil and gas exploration in the Kavango Basin, spanning 13,250 square miles of the Okavango River catchment, is proceeding without the free, prior and informed consent of San and other Indigenous communities whose livelihoods, cultural heritage, and water security depend on the basin’s ecosystem integrity. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Southern Africa’s most critical freshwater systems. Future exportation from this region is expected to pass through Walvis Bay where coastal infrastructure is expanding to refine and ship fossil fuels, increasing health and environmental risks to coastal communities such as the Topnaar communities.
Mozambique Gas: A Threat to Peace and Security
Massive LNG and gas developments in Cabo Delgado have intensified violence, displacement, militarization and ecological destruction. These projects continue to deepen fossil fuel dependence and expose communities to climate and security risks.
West Africa
The small-scale artisanal fishing sector in West Africa has a widespread impact on the economy providing income to millions of families and contributing to food security. The small-scale artisanal fishing sector is the backbone of West Africa’s livelihood. However, offshore oil and gas activity is harming small-scale fishers and marine ecosystems.
In Nigeria, decades of oil extraction in the Niger Delta have left a legacy of environmental devastation, oil spills, gas flaring, polluted waterways, destroyed livelihoods, public health crises and corporate impunity. The Niger Delta stands as a warning against expanding fossil fuel extraction into new offshore frontiers across Africa.
South Africa
In South Africa, seismic blasting and offshore exploration along the Wild Coast and West Coast regions have faced widespread resistance from fishing communities, Indigenous groups, environmental defenders and civil society concerned about threats to marine biodiversity, livelihoods, cultural heritage and ocean ecosystems. We demand an immediate halt to seismic blasting, offshore exploration and new oil and gas drilling projects along South Africa’s coastline. The rights and resistance of coastal communities, small-scale fishers and Indigenous Peoples opposing offshore fossil fuel projects should be respected and committed to a just transition toward renewable energy.
Our Demands
We call on OOC delegates, governments and banks to:
Stop New Offshore Fossil Fuel Expansion Immediately stop seismic blasting, drilling, and new fossil fuel infrastructure in marine ecosystems.
Protect Africa’s Ocean and Marine Biodiversity Legally protect ecologically sensitive marine ecosystems — mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, and marine habitats — from extractive industries. Prohibit offshore drilling in marine protected areas and biodiversity hotspots.
Uphold Human Rights, Livelihoods & Food Sovereignty Recognize and enforce free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples as a binding condition for any fossil fuel licensing or development. Where consent has not been obtained, exploration licenses must be suspended. Hold fossil fuel corporations accountable for human rights violations, pollution, and climate harms.
End Public Financing for Offshore Fossil Fuels End public finance, subsidies, insurance and financial support for offshore oil, gas and LNG. Redirect finance towards renewable energy, community-owned energy systems, ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation.
Reject False Solutions & Protect Ocean Systems Reject CCS and marine geoengineering. Support a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. Recognise the ocean as a critical climate-regulating system and integrate ocean protection into national climate plans.
“We are united in demanding an immediate stop to drilling in the ocean, no new offshore oil and gas, a fossil fuel phase out, and protection of Our Ocean, people and planet”
Take Action. Sign the Open Letter. Join the Demand.
Our Ocean Conference June 2026: Find Us at OOC
Side Event
Pathways for a fossil-free ocean: The move away from offshore fossil fuels to offshore wind energy as a sustainable solution.
Exhibition
Fossil Free Ocean — Booth