The second edition of the Mombasa Youth Dialogue, held at Bandari Maritime Academy, brought together key figures from the maritime and academic sectors to discuss opportunities for youth in the blue economy. Among the distinguished attendees was Professor Laila Abubakar, Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), whose presence underscored the university’s commitment to youth empowerment and maritime education. The University in its commitment to empowering the Youth and enhancing their competence in maritime-related qualifications has established a specialized Institute, the Institute of Maritime and Seafaring Studies. This institute shall provide training and qualification for the youth at all levels, postgraduate studies, and continuous competence development for maritime professionals.
The event featured remarks from notable figures including Mr George Nyamoko, Head of Maritime Casualty Investigations and Security, representing Principal Secretary Hon. Geoffrey Kaituko; Mr Talib Mohamed, Head of Maritime Training at TUM; Capt. Peter Munga, Director Maritime Education, Training and Labour at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA); and TUM lecturer Mathew Egesa, among others.
Mr. Nyamoko emphasized the need for a national approach to seafarer training, advocating for a system that builds both quality and competence, rather than focusing on sectoral divisions. He called for unity in the development of training programs to enhance the capabilities of seafarers across Kenya.
In his remarks, Mr. Talib Mohamed discussed the importance of robust frameworks for cargo clearance and shipping logistics which provides a greater percentage of shire-based maritime jobs, stressing the need for accurate official statistics and greater investment in human capital. He highlighted the growing job market in the cruise ship industry, as well as land-based maritime roles, urging stakeholders to secure more training slots with shipping lines to cultivate a skilled and diverse workforce.
The Mombasa Youth Dialogue aimed to highlight the opportunities available to young people in the maritime sector, with a focus on bridging the gap between Mombasa County’s blue economy and the youth. This initiative is crucial in expanding employment prospects, lowering the cost of training, and promoting investment in maritime professions.
