President William Ruto has called for greater investment in Africa’s blue economy, saying it holds the key to food security, job creation and sustainable growth.
Speaking in Yokohama, Japan, during a session on sustainable food production at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), Ruto said Africa must harness its maritime resources to transform agriculture and improve livelihoods.
He noted that poor handling and inadequate facilities have led to massive post-harvest losses, especially in fisheries.
He further stressed the need for cold storage and modern fish landing sites.
“By investing in sustainable practices, we can mitigate post-harvest losses and improve the livelihoods of our communities,” Ruto stated.
The President also underlined the importance of involving young people in agriculture and marine ventures, citing Japan’s support for youth-driven agricultural programs as a model to emulate.
“The blue economy has the potential to transform our agricultural landscape and provide greater opportunities for our youth,” he added.
Ruto further called for collaboration among African countries ahead of the Ocean Conference set for March 2026 in Nairobi, saying the forum will provide a platform to share best practices and strengthen sustainable resource management.
Kenya has already unveiled a KSh 1.2 billion plan to procure deep-sea fishing vessels to boost marine production, with projects like the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone expected to position the country as a regional maritime hub.
Japan remains one of Kenya’s key development partners, with investments exceeding KSh 600 billion across infrastructure, energy and agriculture. Ruto’s visit is also aimed at securing additional support for projects in fisheries, port expansion and climate-smart agriculture.
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