Harnessing the Potential of Seaweed as a Renewable Resource for Improved Food Security in Africa

Food security in Africa faces major challenges owing to climate change, land degradation, and limitations in traditional agriculture. Addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) requires shifting to sustainable marine resource use, which also aligns with Goal 14 (Life Below Water), aimed at ocean conservation. Marine and coastal resources, particularly seaweeds, offer a sustainable opportunity to diversify food systems, improve biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Seaweed is a nutrient-rich, underexploited marine superfood. Africa is the third largest global producer of cultivated red eucheumatoid seaweed, with Tanzania, Madagascar, and South Africa leading cultivation across 13 countries. Seaweed farming provides stable income, creates jobs, and empowers women in coastal areas. It requires no arable land, making it an environmentally friendly alternative that reduces pressure on terrestrial ecosystems. This chapter explores the food security potential of seaweed by detailing its physicochemical properties and applications, including human food, animal feed, and organic matter. This chapter reviews Africa’s seaweed production and its socioeconomic benefits for coastal communities. It concludes with policy and investment recommendations for overcoming environmental, technical, and market barriers. Through coordinated development, seaweed farming can sustainably diversify diets, enhance climate resilience, and significantly contribute to realizing SDG 2 and SDG 14 in Africa, addressing hunger while promoting ocean sustainability.