The third Blue Economy, Innovation and Investment Summit opened today at the Pride Inn Resort in the Port city of Mombasa bringing together delegates from across the globe.

The first day of the three-day event themed 'Powering Africa’s Blue Growth' saw a robust presentation of innovative pitches from entrepreneurs and start-ups in the blue economy space.

One of the most inspiring speeches came from the Sote Hub Co-Founder David Ogiga who took the delegates through a captivating journey of the organization that has held three successful summits providing investment opportunities worth millions of dollars.Sote Hub Co-founder David Ogiga addresses delegates on summit impact

According to Mr Ogiga the success of the Blue Economy, Innovation and Investment Summit can be felt with US$4.3 million mobilized in new partnerships and thousands of new jobs created from the 2024 milestones.

He also urged delegates to collaborate to protect the ocean to realize the UN Ocean Decade of 30X 30 objectives of protecting at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

“Kenya has many opportunities in the blue economy but it doesn’t see. Kenya has turned her back on the sea,” said the European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, one of the keynote speakers at the opening of the summit.

She said the opportunities are immense with endless potential of the fish market not only in Kenya but globally.

EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger engages with delegates, urging Kenya to unlock its vast ocean opportunities

This year’s summit saw presentations and pitches from Tanzania, the host Kenya and Japan focusing on technology and innovation to drive the blue economy agenda.

Many speakers who graced the opening session spoke on the need for collaboration to tap in to the immense potential for investment, nutrition and technology.