Breaking the Glass Ceiling in the Blue Economy: The Women of Chambuko Amkeni
The women of Chambuko Amkeni Village Community Bank stepped into that reality and chose a different path: protect what protects them, and build a livelihood that makes conservation worth sustaining. They are leading in a sector that has not always made room for them, facing structural barriers including social norms that limit leadership, literacy gaps, and high-value opportunities that often sit behind a wall of access and confidence.
Through the ReSea Project, OceanHub Africa and partners used a gender-transformative approach that did more than “include” women. It helped them build the skills, structures, and legitimacy to lead. The shift is visible in their transition into a structured enterprise, NbS Mlilana Enterprises, formally registering in March 2026. They are turning ecosystem protection into a premium product the market wants to buy.
Results
- Environmental Incentive: A 70kg harvest created a nature-based incentive to protect mangrove buffer zones previously threatened by external firewood harvesting.
- Women’s Leadership: 30 women and 4 female youths empowered to overcome gender-based barriers and social norms to step into enterprise roles.
- Income Growth: Professionalized business skills drove a revenue surge from KES 5,000 to KES 70,000.
- Financial Resilience: A new home-grown savings scheme secured a KES 100,000 portfolio for the community.
- Product Readiness: Launch of “Mlilana Gold” branded mangrove honey, with a dedicated retail outlet established in Matsangoni to expand distribution.
This is what it looks like when the blue economy becomes real at the community level: women protecting the mangroves, building respected products, and formalizing an enterprise that can last beyond a project cycle, strengthening both livelihoods and the coastline they depend on.
