Browsing: Blue Economy

Cyber Security Hakathon
  • Three Kenyan startups have been selected for an incubation programme after winning the Cyber Security Hackathon at the just concluded Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit. 
  • The three startups, which are based in Mombasa include Bio Secure, Tide Safetynet and Seatrust Navigator. 
  • Sote Hub Founder David Ogiga says the three startups will receive six months technical and financial support to bring their ideas to life. 

Three Kenyan startups have been selected for an incubation program after winning the Cyber Security Hackathon at the recently concluded Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit. The startups, based in Mombasa, include Bio Secure, Tide Safetynet, and Seatrust Navigator. Sote Hub Founder David Ogiga stated that these three startups would receive six months of technical and financial support to bring their ideas to life.

“Our focus for this year’s hackathon at the conference was circular economy, cyber security, blue economy, climate change, and the digital …

African Maritime transport transition to cleaner fuel.
  • Africa's maritime trade, which hit $22Bn in 2018, will reach $48Bn by 2063 but relies heavily on fossil fuels.
  • Shipping fuels global warming and is responsible for 2.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Africa urged to include maritime decarbonisation in NDCs for a greener future.

Africa’s maritime trade continues to grow exponentially. However, in light of the climate change crisis and the continent’s vulnerability, deliberations on decarbonising Africa's maritime transport have emerged. During the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi, Kenya, a key focus point of the Nairobi Declaration was the urgent need to "accelerate all efforts to reduce emissions to align with goals outlined in the Paris Agreement." Further, world leaders were urged to support and rally behind the proposed global carbon tax on fossil fuel trade and maritime transport.

During the summit, the "Creating Sustainable Pathways in Africa" session sought to realise eco-friendly shipping and economic growth…

zanzibar
  • Zanzibar has entered into a deal with Belgium to attract more tourists to the East African coastal Island.
  • The number of tourist arrivals in Tanzania is projected to increase in 2023. The country saw 62.7 per cent jump in new arrivals between January and July last year.
  • Tanzania received a total of 100,600 tourists from USA in 2022 followed closely by France that was the source of 100,371 holidaymakers.

Zanzibar’s tourism development initiative under its Blue Economy agenda is starting to pay dividend with the isles setting its sights on attracting tourists from Belgium.

Isle’s President Hussein Mwinyi recently met with Belgium’s Ambassador to Tanzania Peter Huyghebaert, and  unveiled ongoing improvement of infrastructure in Zanzibar to improve tourists’ experience.

President Mwinyi cited infrastructure improvements such as airports and roads, access to power and water as well as the construction of new hotels by the private sector.

“We have been working …

Zanzibar President Dr Hussein A. Mwinyi pledged to ensure a ‘greener and sustainable approach to tourism in Zanzibar starting with the signing of the Zanzibar Sustainable Tourism Declaration. The Island is also setting up a tech hub called Silicon Zanzibar as part of its Greener Zanzibar Tourism Strategy. Photo/SiliconZanzibar
  • Zanzibar President Mwinyi signs Zanzibar Sustainable Tourism Declaration
  • Greener Zanzibar Tourism Strategy to boost island’s blue economy
  • World Bank urges Zanzibar to increase local content in tourism

Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein A. Mwinyi has pledged to ensure a greener and more sustainable approach to tourism in Zanzibar following the signing of the Zanzibar Sustainable Tourism Declaration.

The declaration recognizes and commits Zanzibar to uphold global sustainable tourism standards as adopted by international institutions and world leaders. As part of the island’s Greener Zanzibar Tourism Strategy, the declaration sets Zanzibar on a path to embed sustainable strategies as part of its tourism growth plan.

President Mwinyi signed the declaration at the first Zanzibar Tourism Investment and Travel Exhibition (ZTITE) held on the island in February where he was the guest of honour.

The three-day event was held from the 9th to the 11th by the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT)  under …

Blue Economy in Africa on the Upswing in 2023
  • The Canadian government through Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is offering close to  $10 million in grant funding to support Kenyan women led businesses in the blue economy sector . 
  • The businesses have until the 20th of January to apply for the grant that is aimed at supporting  women’s economic participation in the non-traditional sectors of the blue economy.
  • Counties of focus include Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay and Migori. 

The Canadian government through Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is offering close to  $10 million in grant funding to support Kenyan women led businesses in the blue economy sector. 

Kenyan women-led businesses have until the 20th of January 2023 to apply for the grant that is aimed at  supporting women’s economic participation in the non-traditional sectors of the blue economy.

The sectors targeted include fisheries, waste management, biodiversity protection, agriculture, forestry, as well

The global maritime industry bodies have decided to declassify the Indian Ocean High Risk Area to reflect the significantly improved piracy situation in the region. www.theexchange.africa

As a high-risk area, Kenya was paying billions to shipping lines for insurance of their goods.

But there is a break. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has removed the Indian Ocean from the list of High-Risk Areas (HRA) giving a major boost to trade for Kenya and the wider Eastern African region.

The decision was communicated during the 106th session of the Maritime Safety Committee at the International Maritime Organization in London. This is the UN agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping, by the Best Management Practice (BMP-5). It consists of the five largest global shipping industry associations.

BMP-5 looks to deter piracy and enhance maritime security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.…

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Africa’s blue economy prospects 

What if Africa could farm its oceans and reap benefits from it? Yes, research findings from African Natural Resources Centre (ANRC) in collaboration with African Development Bank (AfDB), ‘Prospects for developing green aquaculture in Africa 2021’ report brings a whole new depth to aquaculture in Africa. 

The continent is growing fast, and it could grow more sustainably if it utilizes its most crucial resource, natural wealth. The report highlighted that the aquaculture sector is slowly growing and it shows a strong potential for expansion. 

The world aquaculture landscape is showing promise. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2020 report showed that farmed seafood globally produced 82.1 million tonnes of aquatic animals in 2018—which is equivalent to 96.4 tonnes of fisheries catch. 

“Global aquaculture has been growing at an average annual rate of 5 per cent over the past 20 years and this growth is expected to

https://theexchange.africa/

Data by the bloc reveals that the sector provides livelihoods for about 80 per cent of the region’s workers, and accounts for about 65 per cent of foreign exchange earnings.

The continent, which COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe said last month has the potential to feed its self and export to the rest of the world, has remained a net food importer for the last 15 years.…

A seaport. East Africa is undertaking several mega projects ranging from port expansions to railway systems and airports. www.theexchange.africa

To achieve sustainable development in Africa through the blue economy, the relationship between trade and development cannot be overemphasized.
The UNCTAD notes that trade has been recognized as the engine for inclusive sustainable development and growth with maritime transport and its related activities being motors for trade facilitation.…

The Port of Mombasa. Kenya is competing against Tanzania for supremacy in the sea port logistics sector. www.theexchange.africa

Africa’s blue economy has been hailed as the ‘new frontier of African renaissance’ due to the maritime industry’s huge economic potential across the continent. The significant economic opportunities in the blue economy on the continent include seabed mining, fisheries, oil drilling, trade, aquaculture and tourism whose potential can drastically transform Africa’s future.

The African Union (AU) highlights that thirty-eight of Africa’s 54 states are coastal, and maritime zones under Africa’s jurisdiction.…