Unlocking the potential of seaweed production in Kenya through Digital Earth Africa

Kenya’s rapidly evolving Blue Economy is taking a significant step forward with the support of earth observation tools from Digital Earth Africa. The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) is harnessing these tools to develop a Marine Spatial Plan, set to be completed in early 2025, that will unlock sustainable investment opportunities while protecting the nation’s coastal and marine resources. Among its promising initiatives is the cultivation of seaweed—a venture with the potential to transform Kenya’s coastal economy.
Seaweed farming, first introduced to Kenya in 2008, has blossomed into a sustainable and profitable industry that creates new income streams for coastal communities and supports climate change adaptation. With an annual production potential of 18 million metric tons valued at $6.6 billion, seaweed farming offers a powerful economic opportunity. Yet, for investors to realise the full potential of this and other opportunities, they need reliable, data-driven insights into the most suitable zones for aquaculture and mariculture activities like seaweed farming and cage culture, a method of farming fish by enclosing them in cages or pens in coastal waterways.

Data-driven decisions for the blue economy
By providing analysis-ready data through advanced earth observation tools, Digital Earth Africa is making those insights a reality. Through its Coastlines service and the Digital Earth Africa Sandbox, KMFRI researchers can access detailed, location-specific data that shapes their Marine Spatial Plan. These tools enable KMFRI to identify optimal zones for aquaculture, balancing economic growth with ecological sustainability.
Noah Ngisiange, Senior Research Scientist at KMFRI, highlighted the value of this data in driving informed decision-making. “Digital Earth Africa’s analysis-ready data products focus specifically on African regions, unlike many global tools. This allows us to integrate precise, actionable insights into our research. Seaweed farming and cage culture suitability models generated with these tools can guide key investment discussions,” he said.
Ngisiange emphasised the next phase of work, saying, “We now need to seek funding to validate the suitability analysis outputs for cage culture and seaweed farming. By grounding these models in on-the-ground evidence, we can confidently unlock their potential value for Kenya.”
Capacity building through training initiatives
KMFRI was introduced to Digital Earth Africa through the Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (MarCOSIO) ​ project, hosted by the African Union Commission under GMES and Africa. Marie Smith, Aquaculture and Fisheries Lead at MarCOSIO and Senior Researcher at the Council for Scientific Research (South Africa), highlighted the importance of Digital Earth Africa’s tools. “Digital Earth Africa bridges the gap between freely available earth observation data and actionable plans tailored to local African contexts. This collaboration with KMFRI strengthens Kenya’s capacity to realise its Blue Economy vision,” she says.
Targeted training sessions have been organised for KMFRI researchers and stakeholders, aimed at enhancing their technical expertise in using the Digital Earth Africa Sandbox and interpreting earth observation data. These programs provide participants with practical, hands-on experience in leveraging geospatial data to inform decision-making. The skills gained empower them to contribute to the development of sustainable marine practices effectively.
These tools are already generating additional innovative ideas, such as delivering GPS-based optimal fishing coordinates via text messages to local fishers—a concept that could bolster efficiency and livelihoods, Smith explained.

Building sustainable futures
The Marine Spatial Plan is central to the long-term sustainability of Kenya’s Blue Economy, which encompasses traditional industries like fisheries and tourism as well as emerging sectors like aquaculture and marine biotechnology. Including Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (a vast 200-nautical mile stretch area of the sea, seabed, and subsoil), the Plan aims to balance marine-driven economic activities with conservation goals.
Senior Research Scientist at KMFRI, Morine Ngarari, says this critical tool will ensure that mariculture is undertaken in a responsible and structured manner as the mariculture sector expands. The Marine Spacial Plan will provide a very strategic approach along the Kenyan coast by identifying optimal mariculture zones; reducing resource-user conflicts; reducing environmental degradation through the protection of critical habitats; attracting investments in mariculture by building investor confidence and supporting long-term policy and regulatory frameworks by providing the necessary scientific data,” she explains.
Beyond economic opportunities, the Marine Spatial Plan will guide climate vulnerability assessments, including projections on critical resources like mangroves that protect coastal ecosystems. Scheduled for completion by early 2025, the Plan is expected to enhance Kenya’s economic strategy reports and attract investment to emerging aquaculture industries.
Shaping policy and future investments
Kenya’s Marine Spatial Plan underscores its commitment to sustainable development, with KMFRI set to submit a policy brief to guide national conservation and marine-related policies. Reaffirming its dedication to balancing economic progress with environmental stewardship, Kenya is positioning itself as a leader within the global Blue Economy.
Investors and stakeholders now have a unique opportunity to shape Kenya’s aquaculture future, driven by reliable, data-powered insights and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.