NAIROBI, Kenya– Kenya will host the 2026 Ocean Conference in Nairobi, a move set to cement the country’s position at the forefront of global ocean governance and sustainable blue economy development.
President William Ruto confirmed the new development while addressing delegates in Yokohama, Japan, during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
The head of state asserted that the summit would place emphasis on the sustainable use of marine resources to improve food security, foster value addition, and accelerate innovation in fisheries and other ocean-based industries.
“As things stand today, much of what comes from our oceans and rivers is lost due to post-harvest challenges,” Ruto said, pointing to gaps in cold chain facilities, modern landing sites, and advanced processing systems.
The President noted that the Nairobi summit would create a platform for knowledge exchange, cutting-edge research, and strategic partnerships that could unlock Africa’s underutilised potential in aquaculture, marine technology, and sustainable coastal economies.
Ruto called on Japan to support a dedicated youth track during the 2026 event, underscoring the importance of integrating Africa’s young population into agriculture and fisheries.
“Statistics show that the majority of farmers and those engaged in agriculture in Africa are older people. We want to bring in young people their expertise, their innovation, their knowledge, into the agricultural space.”
The conference is expected to attract heads of state, policymakers, investors, and researchers from around the world to deliberate on advancing Africa’s role in the global blue economy.
The agenda is set to include discussions on climate resilience, marine biodiversity protection, and scaling up investment in sustainable coastal livelihoods.
Kenya has positioned itself as a leader in ocean governance, having hosted the inaugural Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi in 2018.
The forthcoming 2026 Ocean Conference will further embed the country in shaping international frameworks around marine sustainability and youth-led innovation.
With Africa holding vast untapped ocean and inland water resources, the Nairobi summit is projected to set the tone for a new era of inclusive and technology-driven marine growth across the continent.
