Blue economy ventures have been invited to apply for the second edition of BlueInvest Africa, which will see 30 projects handpicked for presentation to a panel of investors in Kenya July 3-4.
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 term “blue economy” encompasses all sustainable economic activities occurring in marine or inland water environments, spanning traditional pursuits like fishing, tourism, and transport, as well as cutting-edge domains such as biotechnologies, aquaculture, and renewable energies.
The event will spotlight 30 “blue” projects to a panel of investors and stakeholders both physically present and online. The primary goal is to attract partners willing and equipped to foster the development of these projects.
The call for projects targets companies established in Africa, officially registered, and already active in one or more sectors of the blue economy. BlueInvest Africa 2024 is also reaching out to African small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) whose innovative ideas require support to flourish in African markets.
Projects submitted to the BlueInvest Africa 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. Additionally, they must incorporate sustainability objectives, covering production, implementation, and the life cycle of the project.
Applications are open until January 26.