Blue Economy: KCB Bank, KCB Foundation and the Kenya Maritime Authority have signed a three-year partnership to train and skill Kenyan youth to secure overseas job opportunities as seafarers’, taking advantage of the blue economy.
The partnership puts together an investment value worth KShs. 155 million which will see a total of 600 youth trained under KCB’s youth skills and job creation programme – 2jiajiri, over a three-year period beginning in 2023.
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In the arrangement, the youth will receive safety training in shipping and maritime as well as unsecured loan products from the bank to secure visa documentation, embarkation costs, and other travel logistics.
Speaking at the event, KCB Director Retail Mrs Annastacia Kimtai noted that the effort is in line with KCB’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through a sustainable approach focused on providing opportunities for the youth to thrive.
“Our end goal is to unlock access to seafarer jobs in the international maritime fleets, for our youth and provide bridge finance through joint efforts with KMA and KCB Foundation.
As a local bank with global solutions, our intention is to continually provide solutions that are geared towards uplifting the livelihoods of our young people,”
Mrs Kimtai said.
Also present during the event was the Deputy Governor, Mombasa County Hon. Francis Thoya who affirmed the County’s commitment to supporting the project and co-operating to enable the empowerment of youth from the coast and the entire country.
On her part, the Chief Guest, Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, acknowledged the need for private-public partnerships to enable the youth to take advantage of available maritime opportunities.
She added,
“We will play our role in licensing the qualified youth, following their training, and thereafter oversee their transition into the maritime industry and overall welfare. Given our youthful population, we aim to position the country as a hub for maritime vessels across the globe.”
The youth will be trained by accredited technical vocational training institutions, vetted by the Kenya Maritime Authority. Minority groups are a key consideration for the opportunities, particularly persons living with disability and women.
Other dignitaries present during the event was John Omingo, Ag. Director General Kenya Maritime Authority, Caroline Wanjeri, Head of KCB Foundation, Judith Kuria, KCB Head of Sovereign & Public sector – Corporate Banking, and Ronald Mwiwawi, Mombasa Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner among others.
