Blue Investment
As Africa charts a course toward a sustainable ocean economy, unlocking finance is no longer optional; it is foundational. With the continent’s Blue Economy valued at over $300 billion annually, the financing gap remains a major barrier, especially for large-scale infrastructure, SME capital access, and climate adaptation. Kenya’s coastal sector could contribute over $4.4 billion, yet it remains underfinanced. This track will explore actionable pathways to attract private investors, scale blended financing models like blue bonds, and de-risk early-stage investment in marine startups. The conversations will tackle the “how” behind building bankable projects, structuring investments for impact, and creating a pipeline of investable blue ventures across Africa.
Key questions to be addressed
1. How can private investors and startups be incentivized to invest in marine ventures?
2. What infrastructure investments are needed to enhance Kenya’s Blue Economy?
3. What innovative funding models (e.g., blue bonds, blended finance, impact investing) can be used to support sustainable projects?
Expected outcomes:
- Launch of Blue Economy funds.
- Launch of investment-ready Blue Economy startups.
- Identification of policy recommendations to attract investment in the marine sectors.
- Commitments from investors and financial institutions to fund Blue Economy projects.