State Department of Investment Promotion Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan has encouraged young people and fishermen to explore the numerous job opportunities available in the blue economy sector, particularly in the fishing and sale of ornamental fish.
During a visit to Kenya Tropical Sea Life EPZ Limited, Hassan highlighted the potential for increased profits in this niche market, noting that ornamental fish sales could yield 20% more profit than fish sold for consumption.
“We are seeing a lot of opportunity here and we are telling our fishermen that when they go out fishing, they should not only focus on fish that can be eaten, but should also look for these ornamental fish,” the PS said.
He added that the fish could be sold at a good profit in enterprises like Kenya Tropical where they go through a 2 to 3 months’ value addition process before being exported to the rest of the world.
In alignment with Hassan’s vision, Farm Africa has launched a Sh2.6 billion programme in Kilifi to empower young people by equipping them with the skills and resources needed to access employment opportunities in the aquaculture industry.
The initiative, funded by the Mastercard Foundation, aims to benefit 150,000 youth over the next five years.
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kilifi County Government, Farm Africa Director Mary Nyale emphasized the programme’s potential to significantly reduce youth unemployment in the country.
She expressed optimism that the initiative would bridge the gap between education and employment by providing practical training and support.
“Kilifi County has given us the opportunity to deal with the gap of unemployment among our youth. We have observed that there is enough ocean space and land that we can use to invest in helping our youth rear the fish,” Nyale remarked.
She added that the programme would be implemented in five other counties; Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kakamega, and Busia counties.
She stated that their partners would work with different interest groups among the youth including young mothers, to train and equip them with necessary skills required to venture into the aquaculture space.
Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its alignment with the county’s efforts to reduce unemployment.
He noted that Kilifi’s extensive coastline and available land make it an ideal location for the programme.
“I am welcoming this programme into the county because it will greatly benefit the people of this county. They have 3 million dollars that will be used for grants in the aquaculture industry and 5 million dollars which will be used to issue loans to young people that want to start a business in aquaculture,” Governor Mung’aro added.
By Cynthia Maseno
