Many African countries have long coastlines, which are valuable assets concerning trade. Africa is home to quite a number of coastal nations most of which enjoy significant maritime advantages. However, These nations are likewise vulnerable to attacks from said waters.
Africa’s extensive coastlines are vital assets with profound economic and environmental implications.
Coastal countries enjoy significant maritime advantages, but they also face security risks from potential sea-based threats.
Effective management of these coastlines can drive economic growth, food security, tourism, and renewable energy development. However, these benefits must be balanced against the need for robust maritime defenses. In essence, a coastal country should boast a complete coastline coverage.
According to Global Fire Power (GFP), total coastline coverage refers to the full extent of a country’s land access to open deep-water sources, necessitating enhanced security measures.
While a long coastline is important for increasing maritime trade, it also requires additional security measures owing to the access it affords to a country. As a result, nations with long coasts are frequently compelled to provide for marine defense, which includes coastal patrol ships and amphibious assault soldiers.
This could be the result of a short coastline which can sometimes be easy to ignore or the exact opposite, where a country’s coast line may be too extensive to fully cover.
With that said, below are the top 10 African countries with the least protection against sea attacks in 2024.
10 African countries with the least extensive protection against sea attacks
Rank | Country | Coastline coverage | Global rank |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Democratic Republic of Congo |
37km |
110th |
2. |
Benin |
121km |
105th |
3. |
Republic of Congo |
169km |
103rd |
4. |
Cameroon |
400km |
89th |
5. |
Sierra Leone |
402km |
88th |
6. |
Ivory Coast |
515km |
81st |
7. |
Senegal |
531km |
80th |
8. |
Kenya |
536km |
79th |
9. |
Ghana |
539km |
78th |
10. |
Liberia |
579km |
76th |