This PhD project investigates the untapped potential of seaweed aquaculture in Kenya and the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Structured as a six-chapter research framework, it examines Kenya’s seaweed biodiversity, cultivation methods (shallow vs. deep-water systems), and their environmental and economic performance. It also analyses the socio-economic dynamics and value chain of artisanal seaweed farming, with emphasis on gender roles and community livelihoods. In addition, the project explores diurnal variations in bioactive compounds and biochemical profiles of cultivated seaweed under different environmental conditions. With fieldwork across four coastal Kenyan communities and laboratory analyses conducted at Ghent University, the research addresses critical knowledge gaps in climate-resilient aquaculture, marine bioresources, and coastal development. The project contributes to Kenya’s blue economy goals, women's economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods through science-based policy and innovation pathways.