Tanga, Tanzania, 15th June 2025 – The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the ReSea Project partners – Mission inclusion, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Women Fund Tanzania-Trust, in partnership with OceanHub Africa, with the support of Global Affairs Canada, today kicked of a seven-day Blue Economy Bootcamp for coastal women’s groups from the Tanga-Pemba Seascape.
In a ceremony officiated by Dr Batilda Burian Tanga Regional Commissioner and the Blue Economy Entrepreneurship Trainers Manual and Soft Skills Manual were also launched. These will serve as tools as kits to accompany the entrepreneurs during the seven months of mentorship that will follow the bootcamp. The BE Entrepreneurship manual provides a structured and practical guide for facilitators delivering Business Management Skills training within the context of the Blue Economy. Unlike conventional business training resources, this manual integrates sector-specific knowledge, real-life case studies, and localized examples to ensure that learning is relevant, contextual, and actionable.
The bootcamp brings together 24 women and young people from 12 groups across the Tanga and Pemba Seascape. Participants come from six districts: Mkinga and Pangani in the Tanga Region and Mkoani, Micheweni, Chake Chake, and Wete in Pemba. These individuals are actively engaged in various Blue Economy value chains, including sea cucumber farming, crab fattening, sardine processing, seaweed farming, and value-added activities.
The Blue Economy presents a transformative opportunity for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, particularly for coastal communities that depend on marine and aquatic resources. Sectors such as sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, maritime transport, seaweed farming, and marine biotechnology are critical in promoting economic prosperity, job creation, food security, and environmental conservation.
However, many entrepreneurs in the region lack essential business development skills, an understanding of sustainable value chains, and effective communication techniques necessary to grow competitive enterprises. Limited access to business planning tools and investment-readiness frameworks also hamper their ability to attract financing and scale their businesses.
"Coastal women entrepreneurs face concrete challenges: developing business skills, understanding sustainable value chains, and accessing finance. This bootcamp directly addresses these gaps, equipping participants with practical tools to build viable enterprises in the blue economy,” Genevieve Gauthier, Director of International Programmes, Mission inclusion.
In response to these challenges, the ReSea Project is holding a bootcamp [training] aimed at equipping Blue Economy Enterprise groups with practical skills in business ideation, planning, communication, strategic business assessment and investment preparation. The training particularly targets women and youth who are crucial actors in ensuring inclusive growth and environmental stewardship in the Blue Economy.
Speaking on the importance of inclusion of women and youth in the Blue Economy, Andreanne Martel, ReSea Project Director, Mission inclusion said, "A just blue economy requires women and youth as protagonists, not passive beneficiaries. They already drive innovation and environmental stewardship in coastal communities. This training recognizes their leadership and provides the tools to scale their impact.”
"True economic transformation happens when everyone participates fully. By centering women and youth entrepreneurs, this program aims to build an inclusive and dynamic blue economy sector that creates opportunities for all coastal communities to thrive together,” added Perpetua Angima, ReSea Project Chief of Party, Mission inclusion.
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