Community gains and regional progress mark SWIOFC–Nairobi Convention partnership review in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya – The South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and the Nairobi Convention | Western Indian Ocean Partnership Project for Resilient Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Livelihoods held its second annual project review meeting in Diani, Kenya, from 2 to 4 December 2025. The meeting brought together national project teams from Kenya, representatives of FAO, the Nairobi Convention, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to assess progress since the first annual review in November 2024.

Participants reviewed achievements to date, examined work plans for 2026, and formally launched the project’s Mid-Term Review, which will be conducted in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania.

A partnership grounded in complementary mandates

The SWIOFC–Nairobi Convention partnership builds on the complementary mandates and comparative advantages of the two institutions. SWIOFC, a regional body established under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which promotes sustainable fisheries management, scientific collaboration and improved governance across the Western Indian Ocean. And the Nairobi Convention, hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which advances the protection, management and development of the region’s coastal and marine environment, strengthening ocean governance and ecosystem health.

With funding from Sida, the partnership supports countries to strengthen ocean governance, apply the ecosystem approach to fisheries, restore degraded coastal and marine habitats, and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on marine and coastal resources.

During the review meeting, national teams presented updates on fisheries management, coastal environmental protection and livelihood diversification. Technical sessions addressed marine spatial planning, economic valuation, and the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for marine biodiversity assessment. These exchanges underscored the role of SWIOFC and the Nairobi Convention in facilitating knowledge sharing and strengthening technical cooperation across the Western Indian Ocean region.

Field visit highlights tangible community-level results

A field visit to Vanga, Kwale County, complemented the review meeting and provided first-hand insights into project impacts at community level. Local fishers reported increased fish abundance around submerged anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs) installed in June 2025. They also demonstrated skills acquired through project-supported training, including FAD construction, gear mounting, fishing methods and fisheries monitoring.

FAO’s Chief Technical Adviser, Nissiat Monjoin, highlighted the value of integrated technical support. “The improvements seen in Vanga and Jimbo Beach Management Unit (BMU), Kwale County, show that practical training and sustainable fishing innovations can advance both income generation and ecosystem recovery,” she said. Her remarks linked the skills demonstrated by fishers to the project’s ecosystem-based approach to fisheries.

The visit also showcased eco-friendly value chain interventions. Solar-powered cold storage facilities and solar freezers are reducing post-harvest losses and maintaining fish quality from landing sites to markets. Community groups reported that access to improved storage has increased their market participation and returns.

Mangrove conservation delivers ecological and livelihood benefits

Environmental conservation has emerged as a significant project achievement. Through research and technical inputs supported by the Nairobi Convention, the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) have secured an additional 455 hectares of mangrove forest in Vanga. An innovative, community-led conservation initiative based on carbon credits has been approved by KFS for further assessment.

A community-based organization, the VAJIKI initiative (Vanga, Jimbo and Kiwegu Community Forest Association) is undertaking detailed mapping and assessment of the mangrove ecosystem to inform a forthcoming blue carbon development, identify restoration areas and guide reforestation of degraded sites.

UNEP’s Environment Management Expert for the project, Theuri Mwangi, noted the importance of integrated environmental and fisheries interventions approaches. “Seeing mangrove assessments and fisheries improvements advancing side by side confirms how joint planning delivers stronger results for communities and ecosystems,” he said.

KMFRI reported that the VAJIKI CFA is managing the Vanga Blue Forest carbon credit project, covering approximately 460 hectares. Community co-management has secured fish breeding grounds within protected mangrove areas, while revenues from carbon credits are supporting biodiversity conservation, coastal protection and community development initiatives that strengthen local livelihoods.

Donor confidence reinforced by field-level impact

Representatives of the Government of Sweden commended the project’s progress, highlighting improved budget absorption and strong coordination among institutions.

“The results in Vanga and across the participating countries show clear progress that is improving people’s lives and strengthening coastal ecosystems,” said Sida Regional Programme Manager, Anna Tjarvar, reflecting donor confidence in the project’s local and regional impacts.

Community leaders echoed these views. “These interventions are improving our work, our earnings and our confidence in the future,” said a Beach Management Unit (BMU) representative, referring to the Vanga and Jimbo BMUs, where anchored FADs and improved storage facilities are reducing pressure on vulnerable species while increasing incomes.

Looking ahead

As the project enters its next phase, the partnership will focus on scaling successful interventions and strengthening regional knowledge exchange. Countries will continue sharing lessons through SWIOFC and Nairobi Convention platforms, including reporting to the next Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention, scheduled for 12–16 October 2026.

Priority areas for 2026 include deepening the integration of the ecosystem approach to fisheries into national frameworks, advancing marine spatial planning with strong stakeholder participation, and expanding the application of eDNA for fisheries and ecosystem assessment.

The project will also promote stronger value chains by linking communities to green and blue financing opportunities and engaging the private sector, including exploring synergies with cold storage initiatives in Tanzania. Additional efforts will focus on strengthening ocean governance, harmonizing legal frameworks, and supporting area-based Fisheries Management Plans in Mozambique. The application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries will contribute to Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and support Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to conserve 30 percent of land, inland waters and seas by 2030.

Community-based conservation experiences, including those established in Pemba, Zanzibar, will be documented and shared to inform replication across the region.