Building the Foundations for Acceleration
| Time | Activity | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Registration Opens | Registration |
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Refreshments & Exhibition | Networking |
| 09:00 - 09:10 | Opening Plenary - MC Welcome |
MC: Capt. Londy Ngcobo (The Blaqmermaid)
|
| 09:10 - 09:22 | Official Opening & Welcome Address | Cllr Cyril Xaba, His Worship the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality |
| 09:22 - 09:39 | Keynote Address | Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), European Commission |
| 09:39 - 10:27 | Demo Session 1 (4 Pitches) | Innovation Showcase - OHA Cohort 6 |
| 10:27 - 11:00 | Pecha Kucha (3 Pitchers) | Regenerative Business Models: How to Build Profit While Restoring Ocean Systems |
| 11:00 - 11:15 | Refreshment Break | Networking |
| 11:15 - 12:15 | Panel Discussion - Onion | Blue Finance Resilience: Shifting from Aid Dependency to Sustainable Local Capital |
| 12:15 - 13:01 | Demo Session 2 (3 Pitchers) | Innovation Showcase - OHA Cohort 6 |
| 13:01 - 14:16 | Lunch | Networking |
| 14:16 - 14:21 | Plenary 2 | MC Welcome to Plenary 2 |
| 14:21 - 14:30 | OHA Impact Report | Presentation of OHA Impact Report |
| 14:30 - 15:30 | Panel Discussion - Oxford Debate | Are MPAs Enough? Exploring OECMs and Regenerative Ocean Stewardship |
| 15:30 - 16:18 | Demo Session 3 (4 Pitchers) | Innovation Showcase - OHA Cohort 6 |
| 16:18 - 16:33 | MC Announcement | Transition |
| 16:33 - 16:43 | Refreshment Break | Networking |
| 16:43 - 17:43 |
Pre-Workshop 01 Pre-Workshop 02 Pre-Workshop 03 Pre-Workshop 04 Pre-Workshop 05 Pre-Workshop 06 |
GIZ-Lab of Tomorrow UNDP +AUC- Accelerator Porgramme Validation AI For Good - Leveraging AI for Ocean Impact MCDR Pathways for Africa IUCN - IPLC trust Fund eThekwini Municipality Workshop: Blue Finance and Balancing of the Infrastructure |
| 17:43 - 18:00 | Closing | End of Programme |
| 18:00 - 21:00 | Networking Cocktail | uShaka Marine World |
Accelerating Implementation and Innovation
| Time | Activity | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Registration Opens | Registration |
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Refreshments & Exhibition | Networking |
| 09:00 - 12:15 |
Workshop 01 Workshop 02 Workshop 03 Workshop 04 Workshop 05 Workshop 06 |
GIZ-Lab of Tomorrow UNDP +AUC- Accelerator Porgramme Validation AI For Good - Leveraging AI for Ocean Impact MCDR Pathways for Africa IUCN - IPLC trust Fund eThekwini Municipality Workshop: Blue Finance and Balancing of the Infrastructure |
| 12:15 - 13:30 | Lunch | Networking |
| 13:30 - 14:30 | B2B Meeting + Closed Door Meetings | Networking and Strategy |
| 14:30 - 19:00 | Bus Tour | City Sightseeing |
| 19:00 - 23:00 | VIP Dinner | Networking |
Scaling Out Impacts for People and Nature
| Time | Activity | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Refreshments and Exhibition | Networking |
| 09:00 - 09:09 | Plenary 3 | MC Welcome |
| 09:09 - 09:26 | Pecha Kucha | Women Leading the Wave |
| 09:59 - 10:29 | Refreshment Break (Brunch) | Networking |
| 10:29 - 11:19 | Panel Discussion - Family Feud | Balancing Economic Expansion, Ecosystem Services, and Conservation |
| 11:19 - 12:09 | Workshop Feedback Session | Synthesis |
| 12:09 - 13:00 | Closing Plenary | Closing Address |
Ocean Innovation Africa 2026 Programme
Day 01 – Building the Foundations for Acceleration
23/03/2026
Registration Opens
Refreshments, Exhibition & Networking
Opening Plenary - MC Welcome & National Anthem
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
Mr Musa Mbhele
City Manager, eThekwini Municipality
Hon Cllr Thembo Ntuli
Chairperson: Economic Development Committee, eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Municipality
Host City
Singing of the National Anthem and Opening Devotions led by Mr Musa Mbhele, City Manager at the eThekwini Municipality.
Acknowledgement of VIPs and Introduction of the Mayor led by Hon Cllr Thembo Ntuli, Chairperson: Economic Development Committee at the eThekwini Municipality.
Opening Plenary - Official Opening & Welcome Address
Hon Mayor Cllr Cyril Xaba
His Worship the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality
Keynote Address
Ms Charlina Vitcheva
Director-General: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), European Commission
OceanHub Africa's Demo Session 01
Robin Ndung’u
Founder, Kisumeo Organic
Raphael Asiba
Founder, SolaKilimo Solutions
Faith Mwende
Founder, Sea Ventures
Kais Aouaieb
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, CHITELIX
Norad
Session Sponsor
OceanHub Africa
Session Host
Innovation Showcase:
Chitelix, Solakilimo, Sea Ventures, Kisumeo Organics
Pecha Kucha - Regenerative Business Models: How to Build Profit While Restoring Ocean Systems
Shayle Ravera
Chief Operations Officer, Action Change
Patrik Huber
Co-Founder, Mawimbi Ocean Innovations / Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility
A Pecha Kucha presentation is a fast-paced, image-driven storytelling format where 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each, totaling 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Refreshment Break & Networking
Panel Discussion (Onion) - Blue Finance Resilience: Shifting from Aid Dependency to Sustainable Local Capital
Alexis Grosskopf
Founder, OceanHub Africa and ForSea Invest
Carol Gribnau
Co-Director, DOEN Foundation
Charlina Vitcheva
Director-General: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), European Commission
Linda Etta
Senior Blue Economy Advisor, African Union
Santatra Razafindratsimba
Business Engagement Senior Officer & South West Indian Ocean Program Blue Finance Lead, WWF
DOEN Foundation
Session Sponsor
An onion-style (multi-layered) conference session explores a topic progressively in layers, starting with a broad overview and then peeling back deeper insights and perspectives.
OceanHub Africa's Demo Session 02
Essley Kalola
Co-Founder, Green Brine Technologies
Samuel Maina Wangui
Founder Director, Havillah Smart Enviros
Rose Sikulu
Co-Founder, Fibertext Green Paper Limited
Norad
Session Sponsor
OceanHub Africa
Session Host
Innovation Showcase:
Fibertext, Havillah, Green Brine Technologies
Lunch & Networking
Afternoon Plenary
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
Pecha Kucha - OceanHub Africa’s 5-Year Impact Report
Herland Cerveaux
Managing Director, OceanHub Africa
OceanHub Africa
Session Host
A Pecha Kucha presentation is a fast-paced, image-driven storytelling format where 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each, totaling 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Panel Discussion (Family Feud): Are MPAs Enough? Exploring OECMs and Regenerative Ocean Stewardship
Thando Mazomba
Venture Development Lead, OceanHub Africa
Arnold Shoko
CEO and Co-Founder, Samaki Farms
Dr Obakeng Molelu
Science-to-Policy Programme Manager: SCALABLE Programme, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Philile Mbatha
Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Town | Deputy Director, One Ocean Hub
Steve McKean
OECM Project Manager, BirdLife South Africa
Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy
Regional Coastal and Ocean Governance Manager, IUCN ESARO
A Family Feud–style session uses a game-show format where teams compete to answer survey-based questions, creating an interactive and engaging way to explore industry views or knowledge.
OceanHub Africa's Demo Session 03
Fabrice Andriamahazo
Founder and Manager, Adraho Company
Lawrence Kosgei
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Twende Green Ecocycle
Wajih Elhadj Youssef,
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Exypno Tech
James Ambani
Owner, Ambani Fish Leather Ltd
Norad
Session Sponsor
OceanHub Africa
Session Host
Innovation Showcase:
Ambani Fish Leather, ExynoTech, Adroho, Twende
MC Announcement
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
Workshop Promotion and Preworkshop Breakouts
Refreshment Break & Networking
Pre-Workshop 01: GIZ-Lab of Tomorrow
Chester Alexander
Coastal Community Development Associate, OceanHub Africa
David Brand
Consultant, Lab of Tomorrow, GIZ
Thando Mazomba
Venture Development Lead, OceanHub Africa
Herland Cerveaux
Managing Director, OceanHub Africa
German Development Cooperation
Session Sponsor
Partners in Transformation
Session Sponsor
Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Session Sponsor
Pre-Workshop 02: eThekwini Municipality Workshop: Blue Finance and Balancing of the Infrastructure
Dr Sebataolo Rahloa
Executive Manager, The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR)
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
eThekwini Municipality
Host City
PRE-WORKSHOP 03: AI For Good - Leveraging AI for Ocean Impact
Saurabh Kumar
Venture Partner and Investor Relations
Victor Brun
Head of Science, Ocean and Climate Platform
Ambassade de France en Afrique du Sud
Session Sponsor
Pre-Workshop 04: MCDR Pathways for Africa
Mariam Swaleh
Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellow & Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub Kenya Project Lead
Caitlin Wale
Founder and CEO, Kinjani
Dr Obakeng Molelu
Science-to-Policy Programme Manager: SCALABLE Programme, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
CarbonFix
Session Sponsor
Ocean Climate Innovation Hub
Session Sponsor
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Session Sponsor
Sailor
Session Sponsor
Pre-Workshop 05: IUCN - IPLC Trust Fund
Mark Gerrard
Africa Director, Conservation Strategy Fund
Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy
Regional Coastal and Ocean Governance Manager, IUCN ESARO
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Session Sponsor
Conservation Strategy Fund
Session Sponsor
Pre-Workshop 06: UNDP + AUC- Accelerator Programme Validation
Sesethu Jelwana
Community Engagement Associate, OceanHub Africa
Alexis Grosskopf
Founder, OceanHub Africa and ForSea Invest
African Union
Session Sponsor
UNDP
Session Sponsor
Premium Pass Delegate Dinner
Day 02 – Accelerating Implementation and Innovation
24/03/2026
Registration Opens
Refreshments, Exhibition & Networking
Workshop 01: GIZ-Lab of Tomorrow
Chester Alexander
Coastal Community Development Associate, OceanHub Africa
David Brand
Consultant, Lab of Tomorrow, GIZ
Thando Mazomba
Venture Development Lead, OceanHub Africa
Herland Cerveaux
Managing Director, OceanHub Africa
German Development Cooperation
Session Sponsor
Partners in Transformation
Session Sponsor
Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Session Sponsor
Workshop 02: eThekwini Municipality Workshop: Blue Finance and Balancing of the Infrastructure
Dr Sebataolo Rahloa
Executive Manager, The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR)
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
eThekwini Municipality
Host City
Workshop 03: AI For Good - Leveraging AI for Ocean Impact
Saurabh Kumar
Venture Partner and Investor Relations
Victor Brun
Head of Science, Ocean and Climate Platform
Ambassade de France en Afrique du Sud
Session Sponsor
Workshop 04: MCDR Pathways for Africa
Mariam Swaleh
Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellow & Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub Kenya Project Lead
Caitlin Wale
Founder and CEO, Kinjani
Dr Obakeng Molelu
Science-to-Policy Programme Manager: SCALABLE Programme, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
CarbonFix
Session Sponsor
Ocean Climate Innovation Hub
Session Sponsor
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Session Sponsor
Sailor
Session Sponsor
Workshop 05: IUCN - IPLC Trust Fund
Mark Gerrard
Africa Director, Conservation Strategy Fund
Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy
Regional Coastal and Ocean Governance Manager, IUCN ESARO
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Session Sponsor
Conservation Strategy Fund
Session Sponsor
Hall 2B
Workshop 06: UNDP +AUC- Accelerator Programme Validation
Sesethu Jelwana
Community Engagement Associate, OceanHub Africa
Alexis Grosskopf
Founder, OceanHub Africa and ForSea Invest
African Union
Session Sponsor
UNDP
Session Sponsor
Lunch & Networking
B2B Meetings + Closed Door Meetings
Catalyze
B2B Matchmaking Partner
ENGAGE
B2B Matchmaking Platform
Networking Cocktail
Day 03 – Scaling Out Impact for People and Nature
25/03/2026
Refreshments, Exhibition & Networking
Plenary 3 - MC Welcome
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
eThekwini Municipality
Host City
Plenary 3 - Keynote Address
Salma Baghdadi
Innovation Lead at WAVE
Wave
Sponsor
Pecha Kucha - Women Leading the Wave
Fatuma Mang’ena
Co-founder & CTO, Healthy Seaweed Company Limited
Magdalyne Were
Regional Coordinator for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion & Head of the Blue Economy, Mission inclusion
Maryke Musson
A Pecha Kucha presentation is a fast-paced, image-driven storytelling format where 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each, totaling 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Refreshment Break & Networking
Panel Discussion (Family Feud) - Balancing Economic Expansion, Ecosystem Services, and Conservation
Dr Sara Andreotti
Founder & COO, SharkSafe Barriers (Pty) Ltd | Lecturer, Stellenbosch University
Dr Andrew Mather
Project Executive: Coastal Policy, eThekwini Municipality
Margie Brand
Founder & CEO, Vikāra Institute
Thomas Sberna
Regional Head: Coastal and Ocean Resilience, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Brenda Kibiku
Blue Economy Advisor, GIZ
Dhesigen Naidoo
Senior Research Associate & Head: African Climate Risk and Human Security Project, Institute for Security Studies, Africa
A Family Feud–style session uses a game-show format where teams compete to answer survey-based questions, creating an interactive and engaging way to explore industry views or knowledge.
Workshop Feedback Session
Mariam Swaleh
Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellow & Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub Kenya Project Lead
Chester Alexander
Coastal Community Development Associate, OceanHub Africa
Dr Sebataolo Rahloa
Executive Manager, The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR)
Capt. Londy Ngcobo
Global Speaker | Entrepreneur
Mark Gerrard
Africa Director, Conservation Strategy Fund
Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy
Regional Coastal and Ocean Governance Manager, IUCN ESARO
Caitlin Wale
Founder and CEO, Kinjani
Dr Obakeng Molelu
Science-to-Policy Programme Manager: SCALABLE Programme, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Saurabh Kumar
Venture Partner and Investor Relations
Sesethu Jelwana
Community Engagement Associate, OceanHub Africa
David Brand
Consultant, Lab of Tomorrow, GIZ
Thando Mazomba
Venture Development Lead, OceanHub Africa
Herland Cerveaux
Managing Director, OceanHub Africa
Alexis Grosskopf
Founder, OceanHub Africa and ForSea Invest
Key Insights, Outcomes and Next Steps From Day 2 Workshops
Demo Session Winner Announcement
Top 3 OHA Startup Winners and Prize Awards
Closing Plenary
Alexis Grosskopf
Founder, OceanHub Africa and ForSea Invest