Marine ecosystems surrounding Africa are governed by complex physical-biological interactions that dictate continental-scale biogeochemistry, productivity, and biodiversity. This study examines how physical drivers—primarily wind-driven upwelling, mesoscale eddies, and riverine inputs—control the delivery of bioessential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the euphotic zone. In major systems such as the Canary, Benguela, Angola, and Gulf of Guinea upwelling regions, these physical processes trigger intense seasonal blooms of phytoplankton, which form the bedrock of regional productivity.

Current research highlights that the efficiency of the biological carbon pump and the subsequent export of particulate organic carbon (POC) to the deep ocean are heavily influenced by the size-structure of these communities. In highly turbulent, nutrient-rich upwelling zones, larger micro-phytoplankton dominate, leading to high export efficiency and robust fisheries. Conversely, in stratified or oligotrophic regions, smaller pico-phytoplankton prevail, favoring a microbial loop with limited carbon sequestration potential. Recent 2025 and 2026 data indicate that climate-driven shifts in wind stress and sea surface temperatures are altering these traditional cycles, potentially leading to prolonged upwelling durations but variable intensities across different latitudes. These changes have profound implications for ecosystem structure, as shifts in the timing of nutrient availability can lead to phenological mismatches between primary producers and higher trophic levels, such as macro-zooplankton and commercial fish species. Furthermore, intensified upwelling in some regions is linked to localized acidification, as deep, DIC-rich waters are brought to the surface, threatening the diversity of calcifying organisms. Understanding these biophysical couplings is critical for developing sustainable marine spatial planning and safeguarding the diverse ecosystem services that support African coastal economies.