Strengthening Gender Dimensions in Small-Scale Octopus Fisheries in East Africa and the South-West Indian Ocean

With the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), AU-IBAR is organising a validation workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 3rd to 5th, 2025. This event will be an important step in the goal of creating blue economies in Africa that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. With an emphasis on improving gender dimensions in aquatic biodiversity conservation, this workshop will evaluate current practices and suggest ways to improve regional blue value chains in small-scale octopus fisheries. This initiative is a great chance to support the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) by giving young people and women a bigger say in coastal and marine resource management and reaping the benefits of these resources.
Small-scale octopus fisheries are a key economic activity for many coastal communities across East Africa and the South-West Indian Ocean, notably in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Comoros, and Madagascar. However, gender-specific challenges, limited value chain documentation, and the impacts of climate change have hindered the full realization of their socio-economic potential—particularly for women who play a vital role in harvesting, processing, and trading octopus.

To address these gaps, AU-IBAR’s SIDA-funded project, Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in the African Blue Economy, commissioned a study to explore gender roles in these fisheries and identify mechanisms for strengthening their value chains. The study draws from extensive field research across the region and builds on continental frameworks including the AU-endorsed Gender Strategy for Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation and the broader African Blue Economy Strategy.
 

The upcoming workshop in Mombasa will provide a platform for stakeholders to validate the findings and recommendations of the study. Participants will include technical experts, policymakers, community leaders, and representatives from national governments and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Through technical presentations, interactive sessions, and peer learning, the workshop aims to:
1.    Collect and incorporate stakeholder inputs to refine AU-IBAR’s study;
2.    Identify and prioritize key actions for enhancing gender-responsive regional blue value chains;
3.    Finalize a strategic framework for empowering women and youth through sustainable octopus fisheries management.
 

By enabling inclusive dialogue and knowledge exchange, the workshop is expected to catalyze policy and programmatic responses that support both biodiversity conservation and socio-economic resilience in coastal regions.
With this validation event, AU-IBAR reaffirms its dedication to incorporating gender and climate resilience into the governance of aquatic ecosystems across Africa. The results will guide continental initiatives and provide AU Member States with the tools they need to build an inclusive blue economy that can help implement Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.