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Kenya Ports Authority's mangrove rehabilitation initiative has won a top environmental award, positioning the Port of Mombasa as a leader in sustainable maritime practices in East and Central Africa.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has won the 2025 International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Sustainability Award in the 'Environmental Care' category. The announcement was made during a gala dinner at the IAPH World Ports Conference in Kobe, Japan, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, EAT. The award recognizes KPA's “Mangrove Restoration for Ocean Protection and Increased Forest Cover Project,” which triumphed over a record-breaking pool of 500 global submissions. This marks KPA's second IAPH award, following a 2019 win in the 'Community Building' category for its Tunahusika Corporate Social Investment project.
KPA's initiative focuses on restoring degraded mangrove forests in collaboration with coastal communities, particularly in Kwale County. The project, a key pillar of KPA's Green Port Policy (GPP), involves working with groups like the Pongwe-Kidimu Community Forest Association to rehabilitate vital coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are crucial for stabilizing coastlines, preventing erosion, and serving as critical breeding grounds for marine life. Since KPA's involvement began in 2023, the project has successfully planted over 10,000 mangroves with an 80% survival rate, leading to a resurgence in local fish stocks, including a reported 19% increase in prawns and 18% in lobsters. This has directly boosted the livelihoods of local communities who depend on the sea.
The IAPH award is a significant endorsement of Kenya's commitment to integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its maritime operations. By winning, KPA not only gains international acclaim but also sets a benchmark for sustainable port management across the African continent. The project demonstrates a successful model of how state corporations can partner with local communities and government agencies to achieve both environmental conservation and economic empowerment. KPA Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, who received the award in Kobe, stated that the project is about "survival and livelihoods," highlighting its dual benefits of reviving fish stocks and creating new economic opportunities for coastal residents.
The mangrove restoration initiative is a cornerstone of KPA's comprehensive Green Port Policy (GPP) for 2024-2028, a strategic framework designed to align the authority's operations with global environmental standards. The policy aims to harmonize economic growth with ecological stewardship by embedding Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles into all facets of port operations. Other key initiatives under the GPP include:
The IAPH, a global alliance of ports, established the World Ports Sustainability Program to recognize port projects that successfully integrate the UN SDGs. The awards cover six pillars: digitalisation, infrastructure, health and safety, community building, climate and energy, and environmental care. KPA's victory in the environmental category places it among other global leaders in port sustainability, including the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Yokohama, and Busan, which also won awards in different categories. The rigorous selection process involved an independent jury of 15 industry experts and over 7,600 public votes, underscoring the project's broad appeal and impact. This international recognition reinforces KPA's role as a key player in advancing Africa's blue economy and positions the Port of Mombasa as a forward-thinking, eco-friendly hub for regional and global trade.
