Unlocking Kenya’s Marine Sector Potential: Challenges and Opportunities for Growth

Kenya’s marine sector is not fully utilized due to the lack of proper infrastructure such as a fish landing port with cold storage and processing facilities. The Kenya Maritime Authority reports that the country only exploits eight percent of its marine fisheries potential, landing 24,580 metric tonnes annually valued at Sh5 billion. This is a small fraction of the potential to land 300,000 metric tonnes valued at Sh42 billion. The industry creates about 300 direct jobs and 13,000 jobs for artisanal fishers.

The government is investing in projects like the Liwatoni Fish Complex and the Shimoni Fish Port to boost the marine sector. The Liwatoni Fish Complex is expected to process 1000 metric tonnes of tuna and create 3000 direct jobs. Additionally, Kenya is leading efforts to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) into the hinterland to enhance transportation and economic development in the region. However, the country is facing challenges in raising funds and coordinating with partner countries for the project.

Officials from Kenya and Uganda have committed to starting construction of the SGR line from Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba to Kampala this year. The project aims to transform the northern corridor into an economic corridor with production centers to facilitate trade among the five countries. Despite challenges with debt and fundraising, both countries are determined to push forward with the project to improve transportation and trade in the region.

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