𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐔 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐘 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 & 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐔𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

From Training to Enterprise Action The Lamu Blue Economy Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Incubation Bootcamp 2026 brought together 100 young people and women for an intensive journey of learning, networking, practical business development and enterprise transformation. The Bootcamp was designed around one clear message: funding is only the beginning — the real goal is building sustainable, competitive and resilient enterprises. Participants engaged in practical sessions covering enterprise formalisation, budgeting, costing, cash-flow management, financial literacy, access to finance, product development, packaging, branding, standards and certification, while also exploring emerging opportunities in digital entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and the creative economy. We were honoured to host Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak as Chief Guest, alongside Mr. Rashid Imam, CEO of the Women Enterprise Fund, representatives from the Kenya Fisheries Corporation, Blue Economy leadership in the Coast Region, and a diverse team of technical experts, financiers and enterprise-support institutions. Beyond classroom learning, the Bootcamp created a platform for participants to engage directly with financial institutions, business-development experts and industry players. Through targeted Business Clinics, entrepreneurs received practical guidance on how to strengthen their businesses, understand their numbers, improve their products, access markets, become finance-ready and identify the right support systems for long-term growth. The conversations reflected the enormous potential of Lamu’s Blue Economy — from fisheries, seafood value chains and marine-based enterprises to innovation, technology, creative industries, tourism, value addition and other emerging opportunities that can generate jobs and strengthen local livelihoods. We sincerely appreciate all the partners who contributed their expertise, resources and commitment towards making the Bootcamp a success, including KEBS, Dariu Foundation, Women Enterprise Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates, State Department for MSME Development, Northern Rangelands Trust, Kumbatia Seafood, LaMCoT, Ziya Bridge Limited, and many others. The Bootcamp was not simply about acquiring knowledge. It was about helping entrepreneurs move from ideas to action, from informal ventures to structured enterprises, and from dependency on funding to businesses capable of growing, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods. For the 100 young people and women who participated, the journey now continues beyond the training room — into the marketplace, into stronger enterprises and into a future where Lamu’s Blue Economy becomes a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth. The opportunity is here. The skills are growing. The connections are being built. Now, it is time to turn potential into enterprise. 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍 • 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃 • 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 • 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 • 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍