Set sail for the blue economy

SEARCH: A CALL FOR YOUNG AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS Pitch your project to stakeholders and investors to attract potential partners.

African Media Agency /BlueInvest Africa is calling for African entrepreneurs who are eager to venture into the blue economy. Thirty outstanding projects will be chosen for presentation to a panel of investors at the second edition of BlueInvest Africa which will take place in Kenya.

BlueInvest Africa 2024 marks the second edition of this event which was initiated by the European Commission in 2022. The objective of BlueInvest is to facilitate meetings between African entrepreneurs seeking financing and international investors scouting for opportunities, all centred around projects capable of propelling Africa’s blue economy forward.

The blue economy encompasses all sustainable economic activities occurring in marine or inland water environments and spans traditional pursuits like fishing, tourism and transport as well as cutting-edge domains such as biotechnologies, aquaculture and renewable energies.

Showcasing 30 projects

The event will spotlight 30 “blue” projects to a panel of investors and stakeholders who are physically present or are online. The primary goal is to attract partners willing and equipped to foster the development of these projects.

Drawing inspiration from the past edition of BlueInvest Africa in the Seychelles, the project presentations will be attended by various investor categories: international, regional and national financial institutions;

public and private institutional investors; international, national and regional organisations; and diverse collective entities like business platforms, incubators and business angels.

A call for African entrepreneurs

The call for projects targets companies established in Africa which are officially registered and active in one or more sectors of the blue economy.

BlueInvest Africa 2024 is also reaching out to small, micro and medium-sized African enterprises whose innovative ideas require support to flourish in the continent’s markets.

Projects submitted to the selection committee must be under development.

They should fall within a blue economy sector and be set for deployment in one or more African countries. They must also incorporate sustainability objectives covering production, implementation and the life cycle of the project.

An engaging and impactful presentation

Each company will designate a representative or pitcher to present its project in a dynamic and persuasive manner.

The event organisers will cover the travel and accommodation expenses of the representative who will also benefit from coaching to ensure the quality, effectiveness and appeal of their presentation.

The best presentation will be given an award at the event’s closing ceremony.

Applications must be submitted online on the BlueInvest Africa website before 26 January 2024.