Nicholas Orao
Health Innovation Lead
Blue Economy contributes to about 30 Billion and 40 Billion yet the potential is between 300 Billion and KSH 500 Billion a year. We are very far in attaining the true potential of the Blue Economy
According to the UN, the global population will be 9.8 billion by 2050.
Half of the world’s population growth will be concentrated in the countries bordering the Lake Victoria region hence exerting a lot of pressure on the lake resources for livelihood generation. The majority of these populations are women and young people.
Additionally, women fisherfolk in the lake region continue to suffer from negative effects of “Sex-for-fish” practices and other gender-based violence in search for daily livelihoods.
Lake Victoria with an area of 68,859 km2 and the second largest fresh water lake in Africa and second globally. Kenya has 6% (equivalent to 4,132 km2) of this global blue resource. It is important to note that the region is hydrologically delineated based on surface and underground water that drains into Lake Victoria (EAC,2005). This therefore, makes it one of the largest blue resource in East Africa comprising of the lakes, rivers, wetlands, dams, springs.
The Lake provides ecosystem services such as water for domestic and industrial use, transport, hydropower generation, and food to over 40million people… In 2021, around 1.48million tonnes of fish were landed from the lake, with a beach value of USD1.14million.The fishery employs over three million people in fisheries-related activities.” – Frontiers. This sector projected to generate over 2million jobs by 2023 and contribute KES 500 billion annually to the national GDP.
We provide necessary skills, tools and resources to women, youths and PWDs within the fishing communities to engage in sustainable enterprises and economic development
We envision a society where people build, lead and win without limitations.
WISE core values guide women-led sustainable enterprise hubs’ mission, vision, and daily operations, fostering holistic and inclusive approaches to economic and social development in their respective communities. They are.
Sustainability: Commitment to environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable practices for present and future generations.
Gender Equality: Ensuring equal opportunities, rights, and representation for women in all aspects of the enterprise, including leadership, decision-making, and access to resources.
Community Empowerment: Fostering the economic and social empowerment of local communities, particularly women, through skills development, capacity building, and entrepreneurship support.
Environmental Stewardship: Promoting responsible and eco-friendly business practices that minimize environmental impact, conserve natural resources, and promote biodiversity conservation.
Economic Development: Driving inclusive economic growth by supporting women-led enterprises, creating employment opportunities, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the community.
Collaboration and Partnership: Emphasizing collaboration with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector entities, and local communities, to maximize impact and sustainability.
Ethical Business Practices: Upholding high standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all business operations, including fair trade practices and respect for human rights.
Continuous Learning and Innovation: Embracing a culture of learning, innovation, and adaptation to address evolving challenges and opportunities in pursuing sustainable development goals.