Human Rights Educator, Mr. Clement Kadogbe, last week joined participants from across Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, for a high-level regional workshop on Monitoring Business-Related Human Rights Impacts and Promoting Responsible Business Conduct in the Blue Economy Sector.
The training programme, organised by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), brought together representatives of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from several African countries to strengthen capacity in monitoring business-related human rights issues and promoting responsible business practices.
Held from 18th to 22nd May 2026, the workshop focused on equipping participants with practical tools to identify, assess and monitor the human rights impacts of business activities while fostering responsible corporate conduct, particularly within Africa’s growing Blue Economy sector.
The Blue Economy has become a significant pillar of Africa’s development agenda, presenting immense opportunities in fisheries, maritime trade, aquaculture and coastal development. However, the sector also poses considerable human rights and environmental challenges, including pollution, unfair labour practices, displacement of local communities, illegal fishing and environmental degradation. These concerns formed a central part of the discussions and learning sessions.
During the training, participants explored the foundations of Business and Human Rights (BHR), the role of National Human Rights Institutions in promoting responsible business conduct, and practical methodologies for conducting investigations, monitoring violations and producing impactful reports. Sessions featured interactive exercises, case studies and group engagements designed to provide real-world experience relevant to African contexts.
Mr. Kadogbe's participation reflects his commitment to advancing human rights education and strengthening accountability mechanisms in business operations. By engaging with fellow practitioners and experts from across the continent, he gained valuable insights into documenting human rights impacts, conducting ethical investigations and advocating for sustainable and rights-based development practices.
The workshop further highlighted the strategic role of National Human Rights Institutions in raising awareness, handling complaints and coordinating documentation efforts related to human rights impacts within the Blue Economy. Participants were encouraged to develop actionable plans and deploy the skills acquired to improve monitoring and reporting systems within their respective countries.
Speaking to the growing importance of regional collaboration, the training hosted representatives from countries including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Namibia and others, with simultaneous English and French interpretation supporting inclusive engagement and knowledge exchange.
Mr. Kadogbe's participation in this continental engagement underscores the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in addressing emerging human rights concerns linked to business operations and environmental sustainability. As Africa continues to harness the opportunities within the Blue Economy, responsible business conduct and the protection of human dignity remain essential to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.