The Coast Development Authority is pushing for major investments in marine-based infrastructure to unlock the region’s blue economy potential under a proposed 2026 implementation roadmap.
CDA chairperson Mwinyi Mzee said the plan prioritises the development of integrated agro-marine hubs, a structured coastal sea transport system and seaweed processing facilities to tackle persistent challenges in fisheries, connectivity and value addition.
He noted that fishermen continue to grapple with poor market infrastructure, while women engaged in seaweed farming lack access to modern inputs and processing capacity along the coastline from Vanga to Kiunga.
“The ocean is our heritage and our greatest economic opportunity. The time for implementation has come,” Mwinyi said.
Under the proposal, CDA wants modern fish markets equipped with clean water, drainage, ice-making plants, cold storage and packaging units.
The hubs would also include live fish auction areas, food courts, vegetable markets and restaurants targeting both residents and tourists.
Mwinyi said the facilities will reduce post-harvest losses, support exports and create jobs across logistics, processing, retail and technology, with opportunities for youth, women and small-scale traders.
On transport, the authority is advocating for a phased sea mobility network to ease congestion on roads and shorten travel times. Initial routes would include Mtongwe–Mombasa Island, Junda–Tudor, Rabai Creek–Jomvu and Nyali–Mombasa Island.
A second phase will introduce a scheduled cruise service connecting Lamu, Mombasa and Zanzibar, positioning the Swahili Coast as a regional transport and tourism corridor.
Mwinyi also underscored the need to industrialise seaweed farming by supporting women farmers with improved seedlings, training and protected farming zones.
Small processing plants are proposed to produce carrageenan, organic fertilisers, cosmetics and food products, enabling women to move beyond raw production into full value-chain ownership.
Implementation of the plan will require collaboration between county governments, national agencies and private investors. Mwinyi called on counties to allocate land and funding for the projects, while urging lawmakers to champion the initiatives in their assemblies.
National agencies, including maritime and fisheries institutions, were urged to provide technical support, financing and policy frameworks to enable public-private partnerships.
“The vision is clear and the resources are available. Let 2026 be the year the Coast turns blue economy potential into tangible prosperity,” Mwinyi said.The CDA proposal signals a shift from policy discussions to actionable investment in the Coast’s blue economy. By focusing on infrastructure, transport and value addition, the plan addresses long-standing bottlenecks that have kept coastal communities in low-income, primary production roles. Its emphasis on women-led seaweed farming and youth employment strengthens the social impact angle, while sea transport offers both economic and environmental efficiency.
by CHARLES MGHENYI
