Mayotte hosts forum to promote maritime economy and youth employment

The first Social and Solidarity Forum for the Sea Economy (FOSSEMM) opened on October 26, 2026, at the Dembéni Technopole in Mayotte. Organized by the association Mlezi Maore and the Mayotte Development and Innovation Agency (ADIM), the three-day event aims to transform the island's maritime assets into drivers for employment and economic sovereignty.

Participants include policymakers, maritime experts, and youth representatives. Discussions focus on the blue economy, covering sectors such as aquaculture, scientific research, biodiversity preservation, and port services. The forum seeks to bridge the gap between Mayotte's vast maritime potential—situated at a strategic crossroads in the Indian Ocean—and the local reality of high food imports and unemployment.

Senator Thani Mohamed Soilihi emphasized the importance of leveraging Mayotte's geostrategic position for the benefit of the local population. Alongside the forum, the Innovation Week is being held to showcase maritime careers to young people through workshops, conferences, and job dating events.