Kenya has yet to fully tap into its maritime and blue economy sectors despite the immense potential these areas hold. With the launch of Mount Kenya University’s (MKU) Malindi Maritime Academy, however, the country is taking significant steps to enhance its capacity to benefit from these industries. This launch comes at a crucial time as global demand for maritime professionals is growing, and Kenya has the opportunity to position itself as a major player in the sector.
The maritime and blue economy sectors contribute approximately KSh178 billion annually to the country’s GDP, making up about 2.5% of the national income. According to government estimates, this figure could soar to over KSh500 billion if the sector is fully exploited. The new academy is expected to play a central role in driving this growth by equipping young Kenyans with the necessary skills to participate in and benefit from these industries.
The Blue Economy: An Untapped Resource for Kenya
During the academy’s launch, leaders echoed the need for Kenya to shift focus to its maritime resources. Geoffrey Kaituko, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, emphasized that countries which have invested in their blue economies, such as those along coastlines, are among the wealthiest in the world.
“We need to tap into that,” Kaituko said. “This sector is often perceived as small, but once we begin to exploit it, we will see its enormous potential. It offers significant opportunities to create jobs and improve incomes for Kenyans.”
Indeed, Kenya’s maritime sector spans a wide range of activities, from shipping and fisheries to offshore mining, tourism, and maritime sports. Yet, as Nancy Karigithu, Special Adviser on Blue Economy in the Office of the President, noted, Kenya has merely “nibbled” at the vast opportunities the sector offers.
“The Indian Ocean and other water bodies accessible to Kenya equate to over 31 counties in terms of surface area. We are ignoring a massive chunk of our resources,” Karigithu pointed out, underscoring the urgent need to exploit Kenya’s vast maritime zone. Beyond economic benefits, the blue economy holds the promise of sustainable development, offering Kenya a critical opportunity to balance economic growth with environmental conservation.
Addressing the Global Maritime Skills Shortage
The global maritime industry is facing a skills shortage. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, the world is currently short of around 26,000 officers, and this gap is projected to grow in the coming years. In Kenya, the lack of sufficient training institutions has historically made it difficult for the country to produce enough skilled maritime professionals to meet local and international demand.
Many Kenyans have had to travel abroad to pursue maritime studies, a costly and logistically challenging process that has kept the number of trained professionals low. The Malindi Maritime Academy aims to change that by offering internationally accredited training that will allow students to acquire the necessary skills without leaving the country.
The academy, accredited to offer the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses, will offer seafarers the chance to obtain globally recognized certifications. “The courses offered form the foundation of global maritime training, ensuring that seafarers meet the highest standards of safety, competence, and professionalism,” said MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi.
With the launch of this academy, Kenya will now be able to offer a range of courses locally, including degrees in areas like nautical science, marine engineering, and maritime transport logistics. This will ease the burden on aspiring seafarers, many of whom have had to incur high costs to travel to maritime academies in South Africa, India, or the Philippines to acquire these qualifications.
Empowering Kenyan Youth
One of the key challenges in Kenya’s maritime sector has been the lack of awareness about the available opportunities. The government, recognizing this gap, is making investments to improve capacity in the sector. This includes strengthening safety measures, offering sponsorships for students interested in maritime studies, and providing student loans through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Kaituko announced that the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) would be allocating funds collected through the Merchant Shipping Levy to support students pursuing maritime studies. This initiative will be in partnership with HELB and aims to provide much-needed financial support to young Kenyans eager to build careers in the maritime sector.
Beyond financial assistance, the government is also focused on creating more opportunities for maritime graduates by linking them with jobs locally and abroad. As the demand for maritime professionals grows globally, Kenya has the chance to produce a skilled workforce that can meet this demand.
“The maritime sector offers numerous career paths, and we are working to ensure that Kenyans can access these opportunities,” said Peter Munga, Director of Maritime Education and Training at KMA. Munga also highlighted the need for Kenya to expand its offshore training facilities, particularly in areas like oil rig operations, which are largely untapped in the country.
Preparing for a Decarbonized Future
As the global maritime industry continues to evolve, driven by factors like climate change and technological advancements, it is crucial that Kenya’s maritime training keeps pace with these changes. One major shift in the industry is the move toward decarbonization, with ships increasingly using alternative fuels.
Munga emphasized the importance of aligning Kenya’s maritime training with these global trends. “There are global changes. Ships are moving to decarbonization and using alternative fuels. We are making sure that the curricula are moving with trends in the maritime industry,” he said. The Malindi Maritime Academy is committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with these new technologies.
Boosting Capacity with Advanced Facilities
One of the highlights of the Malindi Maritime Academy is its state-of-the-art facilities, including a maritime simulator. This is the first such simulator in a civilian training institution in East Africa and is expected to significantly enhance the quality of training offered at the academy.
The simulator allows students to virtually experience a range of maritime scenarios, from navigating through complex sea environments to handling emergency situations. “The unique piece of equipment brings the sea into the classroom,” explained Prof. Jaganyi. “It covers a broad spectrum of maritime scenarios, ensuring that trainees receive hands-on training even before they step into the water.”
This technology will be particularly valuable in helping students develop practical skills in a safe and controlled environment. It also reflects the academy’s commitment to offering training that is not only theoretical but also deeply practical and aligned with the demands of the maritime industry.
A Gateway to Global Opportunities
The Malindi Maritime Academy is poised to become a key player in Kenya’s efforts to capitalize on its blue economy. By offering world-class training and internationally recognized certifications, the academy will help Kenya produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting both local and global demand for maritime professionals.
Moreover, the academy’s strategic location in Malindi, a town with a rich maritime heritage, positions it as an ideal hub for maritime education in the region. The inclusion of language courses, such as German and Korean, reflects the academy’s recognition of the importance of preparing students for careers in the global maritime industry.
Kenya’s blue economy holds immense potential, and with the right investments in education and training, the country can unlock this wealth. The Malindi Maritime Academy is a vital step in that direction, offering young Kenyans the opportunity to pursue rewarding careers in an industry that promises to grow for decades to come.
As Kaituko aptly noted, the future of Kenya’s economy may well lie in its waters, and with the right focus and investment, the country can become a maritime powerhouse. “This is the future,” he said. “We have been land-centric for many years, but it’s time we look to the sea.”
