6th
Ocean Innovation Africa Summit
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
24 - 28 February 2025
Ocean Innovation Africa powerED Regenerative Ocean week!
The 6th edition of Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA2025) marked a major evolution for the summit. Staying true to its pan-African vision, OIA set out to host this edition outside of Cape Town for the first time. After the success of OIA2024 – and the release of the Cape Town Manifesto championing inclusive design principles for a regenerative blue economy – several partners approached OIA with the idea of building on that momentum and gravitas by aligning additional events, workshops, and meetups around the summit. The goal was to create a collaborative platform where each contribution would feed into a greater collective impact. This is what led OIA to team up with IUCN and the Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP) to launch Regenerative Ocean Week (ROW).
KEY FIGURES FROM 2025
2025 EVENT OUTCOMES
Bahari Accelerator Launch
ROW marked the launch of the Bahari Accelerator, a groundbreaking initiative to support ocean entrepreneurs and fast-track blue economy solutions. Announced by Ismael Kimirei (TAFIRI), the accelerator aims to bridge science, entrepreneurship, an investment by providing mentorship, technical support, and funding opportunities for high-impact startups.The launch event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a press conference, and high-level dignitaries, drawing strong media attention. With its focus on transforming ocean innovation into scalable businesses, the Bahari Accelerator is set to play a pivotal role in advancing Africa’s blue economy.
Dar es Salaam Declaration on the Regenerative Blue Economy
On the final day of ROW, the Dar es Salaam Declaration was unveiled, setting a clear vision for investment, governance, and innovation in Africa’s blue economy. Developed through multi-stakeholder collaboration, it builds on existing regional frameworks and calls for mobilizing $500 million for ocean innovation, expanding regenerative industries, and creating 2 million blue jobs by 2030.
Key commitments include:
- Driving investment in marine biotechnology, blue carbon, and sustainable coastal tourism.
- Recognizing IPLCs as key partners in ocean governance.
- Introducing innovative financing models like blue bonds and blended finance.
- Expanding research hubs and incubating blue startups.
- Scaling the Great Blue Wall initiative for regional marine conservation.
Visioning Session: Advancing a Joint Agenda for Ocean and Climate Action
The Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP) convened a collaborative visioning session to chart the path forward for joint ocean-climate action, with a focus on ensuring Africa’s leadership is reflected on the global stage. Building on the week’s conversations, the session brought together policymakers, scientists, community leaders, and private sector voices to align priorities and map collective next steps. Discussions centered on strengthening Africa’s presence at global forums like UNOC3 and UNFCCC, integrating coastal and island voices, and advancing partnerships with initiatives such as the Great Blue Wall. The session laid the groundwork for a shared roadmap, with commitments to amplify key messages from ROW 2025 and ensure coordinated engagement at upcoming global events.
SPARK Innovation Fund Facility (AEDIB 2.0 Launch)
As part of the SPARK initiative’s mission to strengthen innovation ecosystems in Africa, the AEDIB Joint Innovation Facility was announced. This new fund will accelerate digital transformation and the green transition across Africa and Europe through direct financial support. Co-funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ and HAUS, the facility will empower changemakers to bring bold ideas to life, scale solutions, and forge collaborations across continents.
White Paper Submission to the World Conservation Congress (WCC)
IUCN ESARO is spearheading the development of a white paper that captures the key outcomes and priorities discussed during ROW. The paper will be submitted to the upcoming World Conservation Congress (WCC) to help shape international policy dialogues on ocean and climate action. It aims to bring African perspectives and solutions to the forefront of global conservation discussions, supporting stronger alignment between regional priorities and international frameworks.
ABOUT THE THEME
Transforming Research into Real-World Impact Sustainable Development Solutions for Africa
Transforming Research into Real-World Impact
The theme for OIA2025 is ‘Science-to-Solutions’, which focuses on transforming cutting-edge scientific research into real-world applications that drive sustainable development. This approach connects science with business, technology, investment, and policy to create practical, scalable solutions for Africa’s ocean economy. By fostering collaboration across various sectors, OIA2025 will lead the way in promoting economic growth, ocean health, and climate resilience.
OIA 2025 Sponsors and Partners
FOUNDING PARTNERS
HOST
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Session Sponsors
Honourable Partners
