KENYA – BFA Global, an impact innovation firm, in collaboration with FSD Africa, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has launched the Africa Blue Wave, a US$1 million initiative to support tech startups that will contribute to more sustainable livelihoods and use of ocean and water resources.
This exciting initiative made possible through funding from FSD Africa and the Canadian Government, builds on TECA’s (Triggering Exponential Climate Action) expertise in fostering blue innovation over the last year through a successful pilot wave supported by FSD Africa.
The Africa Blue Wave will support high-potential individuals who demonstrate a passion for addressing climate issues in Africa’s blue economy.
It will be implemented by TECA, an initiative of BFA Global, with support from OceanHub Africa.
Shirley Mburu, TECA Program Director, BFA Global said: “As we embark on the Africa Blue Wave, we carry with us the invaluable lessons learned from our inaugural wave. These insights will be the cornerstone of our commitment to making this new wave bigger, better, and more impactful than ever before.
“We’ve demonstrated that solutions can be homegrown by local talent, and I am excited to work with innovators to create more solutions that contribute meaningfully to local and global climate challenges.”
The wave will recruit 40 innovators from Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar, and Mozambique.
Selected participants will receive tailored support in the form of mentorship, guidance from industry experts, networking opportunities, and initial capital investment that can help them build and bring their climate and ocean solutions to market.
At the end of the wave, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions and pitch their businesses to investors, potential partners, and industry leaders to secure additional support and investment.
Thomas Sberna, Regional Head, Coastal and Ocean Resilience, IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa said: “The initiative aims to invest in Africa’s young innovators to catalyze solutions to address ocean challenges and achieve sustained ocean health across five priority seascape areas in Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania.
“Our long-term goal, as envisaged in the Great Blue Wall initiative, is to transform coastal economies into drivers of positive conservation and socioeconomic development.
“We commend and greatly support Africa’s leadership and efforts in accelerating the development of a regenerative blue economy on the continent.”
Meanwhile, in February, TECA announced the selection of seven startups to each receive US$55,000 in funding to advance their solutions for the blue economy in Africa.
The TECA program was created to accelerate the development of climate-resilient solutions to protect and sustain the environment and vulnerable communities.
Each selected startup will receive US$27,500 in seed capital and US$27,500 in hands-on venture-building support to progress financial and tech-enabled solutions that bolster the climate resilience of communities and ecosystems in and around the oceans, lakes, and rivers across the Eastern region of Africa.
The startup founders were selected following their participation in TECA’s fellowship program, where they were supported to create ideas for companies in the blue economy, build teams, and form companies.
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