The government will need at least Sh79 billion between 2025 and 2035 to implement an ambitious plan aimed at strengthening blue economy and protecting coastal ecosystems.
The funding requirement was outlined during the 11th Ocean Conference in Mombasa, where the Kenya Blue Carbon Ecosystems–Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation and Investment Plan (2025–2035) was unveiled.
The plan shows that Sh36.5 billion will be required by 2030, rising to a total of Sh79 billion by 2035.
“Realising the plan’s transformative objectives will necessitate a total investment of USD 616 million (Sh79 billion) between 2025 and 2035, USD 282 million (Sh36.5 billion) by 2030 and USD 334 million (Sh43 billion) by 2035, representing just one per cent of Kenya’s total NDC financing needs," the plan states.
The funding is for restoring mangroves and seagrasses while strengthening climate resilience and coastal livelihoods.
The financing is expected to be mobilised through a blended approach, combining public funding, development partners, climate finance, private investors, nature-based markets including Article 6 mechanisms, and community-based finance. Other tools include blue finance facilities, guarantees, insurance products and project preparation systems.
The plan sets out Kenya’s long-term vision for positioning blue carbon ecosystems as a central pillar of climate action, coastal resilience and sustainable economic growth.
It consolidates commitments from the 2020–2030 and 2031–2035 Nationally Determined Contribution cycles into a unified strategy focused on restoration, protection, scientific research, community stewardship and sustainable financing of coastal wetlands, particularly mangroves and seagrass beds.
Kenya’s blue carbon ecosystems cover about 150,734 acres of mangroves and 39,000 hectares of seagrass beds, representing less than 0.2 per cent of the country’s land area.
Despite their small footprint, these ecosystems provide wide-ranging benefits, including shoreline protection, fisheries support, biodiversity conservation, coastal tourism and emerging blue economy opportunities.
They are also among the country’s most carbon-dense natural systems, storing large amounts of carbon and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Since 1990, blue carbon ecosystems in Kenya have stored more than 75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, accounting for an estimated seven to 14 per cent of total sequestration in the land use, land use change and forestry sector.
However, these ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activity and environmental change.
Over the same period, mangrove cover has declined by about 15 per cent, while seagrass beds have reduced by around six per cent.
The degradation has affected fisheries productivity, weakened shoreline protection and threatened the long-term sustainability of coastal resources.
The plan says protecting these ecosystems is critical as Kenya advances its blue economy agenda and works to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
To address these challenges, the Blue Carbon Ecosystems NDC Implementation and Investment Plan (2025–2035) prioritises ecosystem restoration, stronger governance, improved financing mechanisms and greater community involvement.
It positions blue carbon ecosystems and their value chains as key drivers of climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive coastal development over the next decade.
