Africa’s ocean wealth is currently worth up to $405B annually and by 2030, it can potentially power jobs, food security and climate resilience, if guided by research, technology and innovation.
Science, Research and Innovation Principal Secretary( PS), Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, speaking during the 13th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA2025) symposium, gave compelling reflections on science and innovation for Africa’s Blue Economy.
During his keynote address, Prof. Abdulrazak defended how Kenya is stepping up the establishment of Blue Economy Science Parks, building Artificial Intelligence and digital fisheries hubs, scaling investment in research and development from 0.8 precent progressively to 2 percent of GDP and expanding PPPs in ports, aquaculture and green shipping.
The PS observed that Blue Economy is more than a sector, but instead it was Africa’s generational opportunity.
“If we embed science, research, innovation and inclusion into every value chain, we will create millions of decent jobs and protect biodiversity, as well as food systems,” said Prof. Abdulrazak, adding that this will build resilient, prosperous and inclusive coastal societies.
He noted that the ocean is Kenya’s past, present and future adding, “if we take care of it, the ocean will take care of us as citizens of Africa and the globe,”.
The PS enumerated some challenges that face Kenya and Africa, with loses of up to $10 billion annually due to illegal fishing, plastic pollution and rising sea levels of upto 3.6mm per year.
Prof. Abdulrazak lamented that Africa contributes less than 2 percent of global ocean science knowledge, where women and youth are often excluded from marine value chains.
He cautioned that without urgent action, the current promise will remain untapped, adding that, “If we develop an ecosystem with collaborative approach- policymakers, academia, research institutions and private sector, we can reverse the trend,”.
by Joseph Kamolo Mutua
