December 9-11, 2026 Mombasa, Kenya
Bahari Festival Hero
December 9-11, 2026 Mombasa, Kenya

Kenya Blue Economy
Awards 2026

Championing the end of societal sea blindness by promoting ocean literacy leading to ocean citizenship.

Celebrating Kenya's Blue Economy

The Blue Economy Awards Kenya is the nation's first-ever platform dedicated to recognizing excellence in marine and coastal resource management.

The Blue Economy contributes approximately 4% to Kenya's GDP, with coastal and marine tourism accounting for about $1.5 billion annually. Our mission is to end societal sea blindness by making every Kenyan understand their connection to the ocean through food, trade, climate, employment, energy, technology and national prosperity.

Thousands Employed
In fisheries, tourism & transport
GDP Contribution
4% of Kenya's economy
Bahari Seafood Festival
County culinary competitions
Innovation Village
Ocean tech & robotics
Blue Sports Festival
Beach games & kayaking
Dhow Races
Traditional coastal heritage

3

Days of Celebration

20+

Award Categories

7

Experience Zones

500+

Expected Delegates

The Bahari Festival Experience

See It. Taste It. Live It. Think It.

Day 1: Experience

Seafood Festival, Expo, Innovation Village, Sports, Cultural Games & Marketplace

"See It. Taste It. Live It."
Day 2: Think

Leadership Summit, Policy Conversations, Investment Forum, Research Forum & Gala

"Think the Blue Economy"
Day 3: Act

Partnerships, Commitments, Action Plans & Community Engagement

"Building Kenya's Ocean Future"

Award Categories

Celebrating excellence across Kenya's Blue Economy

Ocean Leadership Award
Recognizes leaders placing the Blue Economy at the center of national development
Ocean Innovation Award
For innovations solving marine challenges
Ocean Communities Award
Celebrating coastal communities protecting marine ecosystems
Blue Economy Youth Champion
Young people changing perceptions through innovation
Ocean Education Award
Schools and institutions integrating ocean literacy
Blue Economy Media Excellence
Journalists making the ocean visible
Marine Conservation Award
Organizations restoring marine ecosystems
Women in Blue Economy Leadership
Recognizing women breaking barriers
Sustainable Fisheries Excellence
Rewarding responsible fisheries and aquaculture
Blue Investment Award
Businesses investing in Kenya's ocean economy
Ocean Technology Award
Digital innovation, AI, robotics, and marine data
Climate Resilience Award
Solutions addressing coastal climate change
Blue Economy Lifetime Achievement
Honouring pioneers of Kenya's Blue Economy

Ready to Be Part of Kenya's Blue Economy Revolution?

Join us in Mombasa for the first-ever Bahari Festival and Blue Economy Awards. Together, we can end societal sea blindness.