Advancing Africa’s Role in Global Methane Seep Science: Insights from the CliMetS Africa Workshop

In October 2025, ocean scientists, policy makers, and regional partners gathered in Nairobi for the Global Climate Impacts of Methane Seeps (CliMetS) Africa Workshop. Hosted by the University of Nairobi in collaboration with the Guangzhou Marine Laboratory (GML), the two-day meeting brought together experts and interested parties from Africa to chart the continent’s path in methane seep research. Key partners in the UN Decade of Ocean Science-endorsed CliMetS program include the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the Challenger 150 African Network of Deep-water Researchers (ANDR), UNESCO-IOC Africa, and the Nairobi Convention.

CliMetS Workshop – Key Objectives:

• Carry out an overview of current knowledge of methane seeps in the regions.
• Identify the priorities of (new future) methane seep studies in the Western Indian Ocean and the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
• Assess regional capacity for methane seep research.
• Identify resources required (for research cruises, post-cruise analysis, training, and outreach) and possible sources for conducting methane seep survey and follow-up studies.
• Identify regional government priorities and roles.
• Develop regional action plans for the CliMetS Program.

ANDR played a central role in the program, by identifying and mobilizing African experts and interested researchers who contributed to the technical sessions and regional discussions. Presentations from global and regional experts showcased advances in geophysical mapping, microbial ecology, geochemistry, and Rift Valley lake methane systems. They highlighted Africa’s data gaps and the need for coordinated exploration along the Gulf of Guinea, Namibia and South Africa margins, and the Eastern African coast.

Towards Joint Research Cruises (2026–2030)

During the workshop, two regional working groups were established: the African Atlantic Working Group and the Indian Ocean Working Group. These teams will coordinate proposal development, plans for strengthening capacity, and participation in future joint cruises, including expeditions aboard the Chinese research vessel Shen Hai Yi Hao beginning in 2026–2027, with support from GML and HKUST.

The Nairobi workshop strengthened Africa’s position in methane seep research by mobilizing regional expertise and establishing a path toward collaborative deep-sea exploration under the United Nations Ocean Decade. This coordination positions African researchers to make meaningful contributions to understanding methane’s role in climate and ocean sustainability.

More information about the workshop is available on the IOC-UNESCO website, here: https://www.ioc-africa.org/news-updates/432-climets-africa-workshop-advances-understanding-of-methane-seeps-and-climate-links.html.