African Union governments have just given fresh momentum to the continent’s blue economy ambitions by adopting the Luanda Declaration. By linking long-term finance with local stewardship and inclusive governance, their work offers a practical example of the approach the Luanda Declaration seeks to advance across Africa. By creating the conditions for local initiatives to attract investment, policymakers can translate the direction set in the Luanda Declaration into a scalable global model for the blue economy. Moving forward, governments, investors and development partners should move quickly to back proven community-led models, strengthen enforcement and place coastal communities at the centre of decision-making. Lasting progress will depend on sustained investment in those already showing that marine conservation can support both ecological resilience and inclusive economic development.