In the maritime domain, the Gulf of Guinea is faced with major trans-regional challenges and threats, including piracy and illegal trafficking by sea (narcotics, illegal bunkering, counterfeit products and medicines, human trafficking, etc.). The region is evolving from a simple transit zone into a hub for redistribution and local consumption of illicit goods, making the security response more complex and requiring enhanced coordination among multiple actors. Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU fishing) and the damage caused to the environment affect maritime security and pose a threat to the sustainable development of the region, especially for the development of a blue economy. While the maritime security and safety situation in the GoG region has improved overall over the past few years, isolated incidents and persistent structural challenges remain.

For several years, the European Union has been committed to improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through the implementation of strategies and cooperation projects. Maintaining and improving maritime security is vital for the EU and its Member States, as the protection of maritime routes and critical maritime infrastructures is essential to ensure the stability of global trade, data and energy flows. The Gulf of Guinea has been designated as a Maritime Area of Interest and selected as a pilot case for the implementation of the concept of Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP). This tool aims to increase the EU’s capacity to act as a reliable partner and maritime security provider., ensuring a permanent and coordinated maritime presence, and promoting maritime cooperation and partnerships at sea.

In this context, the new EnMAR+ project aims to enhance maritime security and governance in the Gulf of Guinea, the Red Sea, and the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) through a more political, coordinated and visible EU approach. The project will work under the supervision of the European External Action Service’s Senior Coordinator for Maritime Security and FPI. It follows an initial phase (EnMAR – 2022-2026), which focused exclusively on the Gulf of Guinea, while this new phase will also cover the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean. Furthermore, EnMAR+ will act as a Facility to provide support based on requests received from stakeholders.

The EnMAR+ project has three (3) specific objectives:

1. To deepen the EU’s maritime diplomacy, political influence and partnerships in the GoG, Red Sea and WIO by fostering political dialogue and enhancing collaboration with regional and national stakeholders, including the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
2. To streamline the EU’s maritime security efforts across targeted regions and to optimise the use of resources, enhance operational synergy, and prevent duplication.
3. To bolster the EU’s role as a leading maritime security provider through strategic communication efforts that enhance visibility, promote EU values, and highlight the benefits of collaborative security initiatives.

In the Gulf of Guinea, EnMAR+ will seek to work with regional maritime security architectures, in particular the Yaoundé Architecture. Partnerships will also be developed and continued with women’s associations, think tanks, universities, and media.

Organisation of the project team:

The Maritime Security Expert for the Gulf of Guinea will join a team of 6 members, placed under the supervision of the Head of Project based in Brussels:

• A technical unit composed of the Strategic Communication Manager and another Maritime Security expert for the Red Sea and WIO region.
• A support unit composed of an Administrative and Financial Officer and a Logistics Officer, supporting the Head of Project in daily implementation of the project.
• Ad hoc expertise will be mobilised based on requests for support.

Relevant EU services will closely monitor the project in order to support the identification and validation of activities proposed under the facility modality. 

The project is implemented by Expertise France, the French public agency for international technical cooperation and a subsidiary of the AFD Group. Expertise France designs and implements projects that strengthen public policies in partner countries. It works across various areas such as governance, health, climate, security, and education, and operates in nearly 150 countries.