Mombasa:Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) is reinforcing its commitment to cultivating a technically skilled workforce capable of advancing Kenya’s maritime, oil, gas, and broader industrial sectors. Established in 2018, after transitioning from the original Bandari College founded in 1980 by the Kenya Ports Authority, BMA serves as Kenya’s leading maritime education and training hub.
According to Kenya News Agency, BMA has developed various training programs to address the country’s maritime skills gap and empower young people. Deputy Director Enock Okwema emphasized the academy’s focus on practical and industry-relevant training to prepare trainees for participation in the blue economy and associated sectors.
Okwema highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry by equipping students with practical competencies. The academy has extended its educational awareness campaign to counties, targeting youth interested in technical and vocational skills relevant to the maritime sector.
Career opportunities in the maritime field include seafaring, port operations, marine engineering, and logistics. Okwema specifically urged youth to gain skills in port operations to take advantage of job opportunities from the upcoming Dangote oil refinery in Lamu County, a project expected to refine 700,000 barrels of oil daily and employ 60,000 people.
The development of maritime skills is crucial for managing operations connected to the new oil refinery and the wider LAPSSET Corridor Program, which aims to enhance transport and logistics between Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Speaking at the Innovation and Business Summit 2026, Okwema also called on county governments to support technical training for disadvantaged youth, emphasizing BMA’s readiness to collaborate in this effort. The academy offers courses in port operations equipment, essential for the Dangote Oil Refinery project.
Tana River Governor Maj (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana expressed commitment to fostering a supportive environment for investment in the blue economy sector, highlighting the region’s untapped marine resources. The sector holds significant potential for employment and economic growth, with opportunities in areas like fisheries, aquaculture, and marine transport.
