Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – September 12, 2024 

The Policy Forum's August Breakfast Debate convened stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the opportunities and challenges within Tanzania's Blue Economy, particularly emphasising inclusive growth for youth, women, and people with disabilities. Held under the theme "Blue Economy Value Chain: Integrating Youth, Women, and People with Disabilities for Inclusive Growth", the event was hosted in collaboration with VSO and Stanbic Bank Biashara Incubator.

The debate started with a presentation by Photunatus Nyundo, Manager of the Boosting the Blue Economy Project at VSO. He highlighted the immense potential of the blue economy, its contribution to Tanzania’s economy, and the gaps that still exist in the blue economy industry. Nyundo shared that in 2020, the major blue economy sectors contributed USD 7.2 billion to the country's Gross Value Added (GVA) and employed approximately 2 million people. He stressed that these activities align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 13 (climate action), while also indirectly supporting SDGs related to poverty reduction, food security, health, education, and gender equality.

The Boosting Blue Economy (BBE) project, a two-year VSO initiative, aims to create decent jobs for youth in Tanzania's blue economy and foster equitable partnerships.

Reginald Kwizela, a Policy Programmatic Specialist and Aquatic Environmental Scientist from WWF, underscored the need for Tanzania to capitalize on its vast marine resources, including its 1,424-kilometer coastline and territorial waters spanning 64,500 square kilometres. More than 10 million Tanzanians depend on coastal and marine ecosystems for their livelihoods, making the sustainable management of these resources crucial.

The debate highlighted key areas where Tanzania has already made strides in the blue economy, such as fishing, tourism, natural resources, agriculture, energy, and environmental conservation. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the lack of an integrated institutional system to coordinate these activities, preventing the country from fully benefiting from its blue economy resources.

Nassibu Mwaifunga, a Youth Development Officer from the Prime Minister’s Office, spoke about the government’s efforts to raise awareness of blue economy opportunities, especially among Tanzania's youth, who make up about 66% of the population. He discussed ongoing nationwide dialogues and the search for a local artist to serve as a brand ambassador for promoting blue economy initiatives to the public.

The discussion also touched on the 2024 National Blue Economy Policy and the 2024-2034 Strategic Plan, which were developed to address cross-cutting issues. However, concerns were raised that the policy excludes the Ministry of Labor, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, which plays a key role in promoting equal access to employment for all citizens.

Key recommendations from the debate included:

1. Strengthening coordination among government ministries and agencies involved in the blue economy.

2. Investing in youth development through targeted training, mentorship, and financial support.

3. Ensuring the effective implementation of the National Blue Economy Policy and Strategic Plan.

4. Promoting inclusive growth by prioritizing gender equality, social inclusion, and empowerment of vulnerable groups.

5. Raising public awareness, especially among youth, about the opportunities within the blue economy.

The debate concluded with a resounding message of optimism, as participants chanted the slogan, “Maisha ya Chini ya Maji Yana Fursa” (Underwater life has opportunities), emphasizing the vast potential of the Blue Economy to drive sustainable development and improve the lives of Tanzanians.

Through coordinated efforts and the inclusion of all citizens, Tanzania can unlock the full potential of its blue economy, transforming lives and fighting poverty.