The oil and gas industry is showing considerable growth in the Western Indian Ocean region, representing both economic opportunity as well as significant risks in terms of the negative impacts on the coastal and marine environment. Aware of the economic potential as well as the need for regional and national environmental safeguards, the Eighth Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (Nairobi Convention), under Decision CP8/7, called for concerted efforts in environment management in the oil and gas development. There is therefore an urgent need for strong governance frameworks that are aligned with international best practice to support effective impact mitigation strategies.