Mombasa: The European Union (EU) has urged coastal nations to enhance their investment in the Blue Economy to fully leverage its potential. The union aims to channel more resources into this largely untapped sector to create jobs and attract investors, fostering sustainable growth in coastal economies and beyond.
According to Kenya News Agency, EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, speaking at the Blue Innovation and Investment Summit in Mombasa organized by Sote Hub, praised the success of the EU-funded Go Blue Project. She noted that businesses initiated under this initiative are thriving with substantial profit margins. "EU believes in the Blue Economy. We have put our money, our efforts there, but we are also very much supporting Kenya to take a look at the potential that the Blue Economy has. We believe that Kenya has endless potential in the Blue Economy, but it doesn't see it. To a big part, I think Kenya has turned its back on the sea," she stated.
The EU Ambassador emphasized the need for Kenya to recognize the vast opportunities the Blue Economy presents for youth employment. She assured that the EU stands ready to support the Kenyan government in harnessing this potential and highlighted the importance of a conducive regulatory environment for fostering investment and innovation.
Expressing surprise over Kenya's continued fish imports despite local opportunities in fishing and aquaculture, Geiger pointed out the EU's free trade agreement with Kenya, which allows duty-free fish exports to the EU, the world's largest fresh fish consumer. "There is much potential. I have spoken with the Trade Minister on this because we have a free trade agreement with Kenya. Kenya can export to the EU fresh fish, duty-free. The EU is the biggest consumer for fresh fish in the world. Here, you have endless potential in a market that is increasing."
The envoy also called for increased public awareness and community advocacy concerning the Blue Economy, urging Kenya to incorporate inland waters into its strategies and align national efforts with global environmental sustainability goals. "The EU is also pushing for a legally binding global plastics agreement because our seas, our oceans, are drowning in plastic waste," she remarked.
To support regional initiatives, the EU has launched the Sh8.8 billion Sustainable Western Indian Ocean Programme (SWIOP), encompassing nine African countries: Kenya, Comoros, Djibouti, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, and Tanzania. The programme's objectives include ocean management, promoting sustainable blue economies, and protecting marine ecosystems and coastlines.
"Kenya needs to grow if it has such a young population, with an average age of 19 years. Jobs have to come from somewhere. We have to grow the blue space to provide jobs and opportunities, especially here at the Coast," Geiger added.
Alexander Fierley, Federal Republic of Germany Deputy Head of Mission to Kenya, highlighted the Blue Economy as a strategic avenue for sustainable, inclusive, green, and climate-resilient growth in Kenya and Africa. He confirmed Germany's commitment, through the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), to promoting the Blue Economy as a key driver for job creation.
David Ogege, Director of Sote Hub, noted that the annual summit serves as a platform for dialogue between the private sector and government, drawing over 600 delegates together.