RELEASED MARCH 2026
AFO Strategic Plan 2026 to 2030
2026 to 2030
A five year roadmap to restore Tanzania’s marine ecosystems, strengthen community stewardship, and build the institutional foundations for ocean conservation at scale.
A five year roadmap to restore Tanzania’s marine ecosystems, strengthen community stewardship, and build the institutional foundations for ocean conservation at scale.
Marine habitat to restore
Marine Managed Areas by 2030
Community groups supported
Seascapes in Tanzania
Forward funding target
Action For Ocean (AFO) is a Tanzania based, youth led non profit dedicated to advancing marine conservation while enhancing the livelihoods of coastal communities. Founded in 2016 by 13 passionate university graduates, we operate across four seascapes: Tanga, Kilwa, Dar es Salaam and Mtwara.
This Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030 charts our next chapter: scaling proven models, deepening institutional strength, and positioning AFO as a recognised regional force in Western Indian Ocean conservation. It was developed through a rigorous participatory process facilitated by Maliasili.
Rules and rights: agreements that define ownership and benefit sharing
Care and restoration: community led protection, monitoring, and stewardship
Income and resilience: livelihoods that make conservation financially sustainable
Our 3C Model of Compact, Custodianship, and Capital is the backbone of a seascape governance approach that links ecological recovery to economic resilience.
Strengthen CFMAs, BMUs, and village governance to co manage marine resources with accountability and local legitimacy
Restore coral, mangrove, and seagrass habitats through community led science and monitoring to rebuild biodiversity
Build conservation aligned income streams in seaweed, eco tourism, and fisheries, generating the CLEAR Model’s five times return
Produce rigorous MEL data that builds credibility, attracts diversified funding, and informs national blue economy policy
Coastal communities prospering alongside healthy marine ecosystems, a replicable model for the WIO region
Each goal addresses a distinct dimension of our mission, from ecosystems and governance to livelihoods and institutional strength, with clear objectives and measurable 2030 targets.
Restore 20 km² of degraded marine habitat and protect five endangered species by delivering large scale, community led coral, mangrove, and seagrass restoration across all four seascapes.
What success looks like: 20 km² habitat restored. 5 endangered species protected. Blue carbon pilots operational in mangrove zones.
By 2030, 13 Marine Managed Areas will demonstrate inclusive governance, active Fisheries Replenishment Zones with at least 15% increase in fish biomass, and sustainable financing covering 30% of annual management costs.
What success looks like: 13 MMAs with inclusive governance. 15%+ fish biomass increase in FRZs. 30% of management costs from local revenue.
Economic transformation of 1,000 community groups, particularly women and youth, through enterprises that make conservation financially rewarding: seaweed, eco tourism, sustainable fisheries, and VSLAs.
What success looks like: 1,000 community groups economically active. 70% with equipment financing. 1,000 groups trained in branding and value addition.
AFO will be financially diversified with 70% forward funding, no single donor exceeding 30% of revenue, and earned income reaching 20% of total revenues by 2030, triple the 2025 baseline.
What success looks like: 85%+ staff retention. 5 strategic MOUs signed. MEL public dashboard live by 2027. Clean annual audits throughout.
AFO operates across four strategically selected seascapes in Tanzania, chosen for ecological importance, community readiness, and potential to demonstrate scalable conservation models.
Coast Region, Urban marine conservation
Lindi Region, Coral and mangroves
Tanga Region, Seagrass and fisheries
Mtwara Region, Transboundary MPA zone
Download the complete Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030 and join the conversation about AFO’s next chapter for Tanzania’s coastal future.