The youth have been urged to participate in the upcoming 3rd annual Blue Economy Investment and Innovation Summit 2024(BEIIS) coming up in October and use it to showcase their ideas.
Themed, Building an inclusive blue future, the 3-day forum will aim at exploring innovative solutions and strategic investments in the blue economy to support sustainable development and the protection of ocean resources.
Speaking during a preparatory meeting for the forthcoming Summit slated for 2nd to 4th of October in Mombasa, the Director of Sote Hub, David Ogiga highlighted that at least 500 people have successfully registered for the summit via the ongoing registration process that is available on Sote Hub’s official website.
Ogiga urged interested parties to fully support the cause, emphasizing the importance of registration in advance.
He highlighted that the registration would close in a month to allow for effective planning and preparation for the summit, where Henriette Geiger, the European Union ambassador to Kenya is expected to preside.
The Director also encouraged participation in every capacity, underscoring the need for collective effort.
In addition, Ogiga stated that the forum will focus on not only opportunities, but challenges facing the blue economy sector citing plastic pollution as the leading menace.
“I don’t know how many of us are aware of the severity of plastic pollution. Globally, we produce 350 million MT of plastic and only 9% is recycled despite the honest work done by Baus Taka. I believe if we are to stop plastic pollution, we have to stop production. We need to criminalize the production of plastic, this way, we will control the flow of plastic into landfills and the ocean,” he reiterated.
Ogiga further noted that the forum is geared towards pushing for three significant aspects including climate change and Ocean resilience, access to capital citing a lack of funding especially to start-ups as well as the use of technology to enable business success and jobs creation in the Coast region.
There is an acute shortage of funding. This year together with East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EAVCA), Tech Bridge, and Fie Labs, we will host deal rooms and directly match startups to investors,” Ogiga added.
On his part, the Chairman Kenya Maritime Authority, Hamisi Mwaguya, highlighted the 3-year partnership with Sote Hub in an effort to improve the blue economy sector as he called on youths to use this opportunity to share their ideas.
“Innovation is mainly done by the youth since they belong to the section of people who are curious and innovative, hence we are asking them to register in large numbers. We want to assure them of unwavering support and we look forward to the new inventions,” said the Chairman.
Furthermore, the Chief Officer for Environment and Solid Waste Management, Mombasa County, Hamed Shahan noted that Sote Hub has played a critical role in acting as a direct link between the county government and the youth over the past years.
“It is critical with the current times to give the attention needed to the youth who many at times feel unheard and unseen and that can only be achieved through such forums.” stated the Chief Officer.
The upcoming event is a collaboration between Sote Hub and Kenya Maritime Authority, Aga Khan Foundation, Tech Bridge Invest, Absa Bank, Slovak Aid and UK Kenya Tech Hub.
By Nuru Soud
