Technology Gaps in Kenya's Ocean Carbon Removal

Executive Summary

Kenya’s blue economy has vast potential to cut carbon emissions through marine carbon dioxide removal (MCDR) technologies such as seaweed farming and coastal restoration. However, major technological gaps including weak mapping of seagrasses, incomplete valuation of blue carbon ecosystems, and inadequate monitoring and verification systems, limit progress. Despite successful initiatives like Mikoko Pamoja, Kenya’s ability to scale projects, ensure accurate carbon accounting, and access global carbon markets remains constrained. Without urgent investment in ocean tech infrastructure, the nation risks losing out on billion-shilling opportunities and leaving coastal communities behind in the global blue carbon transition.

Introduction and Background

Kenya’s ocean holds vast potential to become a key player in the global carbon removal agenda. However, without urgent investment in scientific infrastructure, digital monitoring, and marine innovation, this potential will remain untapped. As global momentum for ocean-based carbon solutions grows, Kenya must seize the opportunity to position itself as a regional leader in blue carbon technology, transforming its coastal ecosystems into engines of climate resilience and sustainable growth.

Current State of Ocean Carbon Capture in Kenya

Kenya’s coastal ecosystems, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes, are powerful natural carbon sinks, storing up to five times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. However, pollution, coastal development, and overexploitation have severely reduced their carbon storage capacity.

Despite its 600 km Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya lacks the technology and infrastructure to effectively monitor and manage marine carbon removal. Most efforts remain small-scale, donor-funded, and focused on biodiversity rather than large-scale carbon sequestration. Institutions such as KMFRI (Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute) lack modern tools like satellite data systems, oceanographic sensors, and AI-based carbon accounting models to accurately quantify blue carbon potential.

Current Blue Carbon Initiatives

Kenya has made progress through community-led projects like Mikoko Pamoja in Gazi Bay, the world’s first blue carbon initiative to generate carbon credits from mangrove conservation, with nearly half of revenues benefiting local communities. Similar efforts exist in Vanga, Kwale, Kilifi, and Tana River counties, linking restoration with local livelihoods. However, these projects are limited by outdated technology and a narrow focus on conservation.

Challenges Stemming from Technological Gaps

1. Outdated Mapping and Monitoring Systems

Kenya lacks advanced mapping tools like high-resolution satellites and underwater drones, leaving vital ecosystems such as seagrasses and mangroves poorly documented and degradation undetected.

Limited real-time ocean monitoring infrastructure prevents continuous tracking of carbon fluxes, water quality, and ecosystem health, weakening policy and restoration decisions.

2. Weak Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Systems

Manual data collection methods are slow, costly, and prone to inaccuracy, delaying carbon credit certification and deterring investors.

Absence of IoT sensors, blockchain, and AI-driven analytics reduces transparency and competitiveness in global carbon markets.

3. Limited Access to Advanced Marine Carbon Technologies

Kenya has not adopted emerging marine carbon removal solutions such as ocean alkalinity enhancement, large-scale seaweed farming, or electrochemical carbon capture due to high costs, lack of expertise, and weak policy support.

Reliance on ecosystem conservation alone restricts scalability and economic potential.

4. Fragmented Research and Data Ecosystems

Universities and research institutions work in isolation without centralized marine data platforms, causing duplication, inefficiencies, and slow translation of research into policy or innovation.

5. Low Private Sector and Innovation Involvement

Few start-ups and climate-tech ventures are engaged in ocean-based carbon solutions because of limited incentives, access to ocean datasets, and absence of incubation or investment programs.

6. Policy, Funding, and Capacity Gaps

Slow adoption of blue economy policies and minimal public investment constrain technology-driven innovation.

Coastal communities and local scientists lack digital infrastructure, technical training, and access to marine technologies, leaving them dependent on external experts and excluded from economic gains.

Implications for Kenya’s Climate Goals

Without integrating technology into marine carbon management, Kenya risks missing opportunities to monetize blue carbon under voluntary carbon markets, while coastal degradation continues to emit stored carbon.

The lack of scientific capacity also restricts Kenya’s influence in shaping global ocean-climate governance frameworks, reducing access to international financing for MCDR projects.

Opportunities for Technological Advancement

To close the technology gap, Kenya can build on existing strengths in digital innovation, fintech, and renewable energy adoption. Leveraging these ecosystems can accelerate data-driven and sustainable ocean carbon management.

Establish a National Ocean Carbon Innovation Ecosystem

• Equip the Ocean Carbon Innovation Hub with marine research vessels, underwater drones, high-performance computing for climate modeling, and prototyping labs for local innovation.
• Partner with global programs such as Ocean Visions’ GEOS to enhance knowledge transfer and technology access.

Deploy Advanced Monitoring and Mapping Infrastructure

• Implement a Comprehensive Blue Carbon Mapping System using high-resolution satellite imagery, drones and AI-based ecosystem classification for accurate, real-time mapping of mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs.
• Integrate IoT sensors and autonomous underwater drones for continuous data collection on carbon fluxes, water chemistry, and ecosystem health.
• Develop a public GIS data portal to support open data access for researchers, investors, and policymakers.

Integrate AI, Big Data, and Blockchain for MRV Systems

• Build a Digital MRV Platform combining IoT-based field sensors, community-driven data collection, and blockchain smart contracts to record, verify, and automate carbon benefit-sharing.
• Use AI-powered predictive models to estimate sequestration rates, identify degradation hotspots, and optimize restoration and seaweed cultivation efforts.

Launch a National Seaweed Carbon Farming and Bioeconomy Initiative

• Pilot large-scale seaweed (macroalgae) farming to sequester carbon while creating jobs and products such as bioplastics, animal feed, and fertilizers.
• Deploy automated monitoring systems to track growth and carbon capture, and establish coastal processing facilities for local value addition.
• Support women’s groups and fishing cooperatives with training, financing, and carbon credit partnerships to promote inclusive participation.

Build Human Capital through a Blue Carbon Technology Training Academy

• Establish a training and certification center offering programs in ocean carbon monitoring, project management, aquaculture, and ecosystem restoration.
• Partner with universities to introduce postgraduate degrees and research fellowships in Marine Carbon Removal Science.
• Launch community initiatives such as Coastal Carbon Guardians, Women’s Blue Carbon Entrepreneurship, and Youth Ocean Tech Bootcamps to enhance local capacity and innovation.

Develop a Comprehensive Policy and Governance Framework

• Formulate a National Ocean Carbon Removal Strategy aligned with Kenya’s NDCs and Blue Economy goals, setting measurable targets and funding mechanisms.
• Establish national blue carbon credit standards, streamline certification, and ensure 60% community benefit-sharing under clear legal frameworks.
• Introduce environmental safety guidelines and FPIC requirements for emerging technologies like ocean alkalinity enhancement and electrochemical capture.
• Encourage Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to drive investment, technology transfer, and policy-driven innovation in ocean carbon solutions.

Recommendations

1. Use AI, satellite imagery, and IoT sensors for real-time tracking of ocean carbon and ecosystem health while engaging coastal communities through mobile-based citizen science for data collection and monitoring.
2. The government should introduce tax incentives, green bonds, and climate grants to attract private investment in ocean carbon projects, alongside promoting pre-purchase carbon credit agreements and public–private partnerships for financial sustainability.
3. Scholarships, technical training, and regional exchange programs should develop expertise in marine engineering and carbon science, while empowering coastal communities with digital and project management skills to ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing.
4. Collaborate with global research institutions and technology firms to pilot advanced carbon removal solutions such as ocean alkalinity enhancement and seaweed farming, while strengthening local research leadership and innovation.
5. County governments should dedicate part of their climate budgets to ocean carbon projects and provide infrastructure support, while development partners fund technology transfer, capacity building, and community-led implementation to drive impact.