When & Where
23 - 27 July 2023
Stakeholder Workshops
Online
February 2024
5th Ocean Innovation Africa Summit
Cape Town, South Africa
Why
We depend on our the oceans, and the ocean depends on us. It is crucial that we support the development and adoption of new sustainable ocean solutions, because ocean wealth can only be achieve in conjunction with ocean health; because the ocean economy can be instrumental to post-covid recovery; because the potential for blue growth in Africa is huge but requires people to come together; because we need to inspire more entrepreneurs, entice more private investors and catalyze more partnerships…

What
Ocean Innovation Africa is a platform that showcases African ocean-impact initiatives and brings together international changemakers for the growth of an equitable and sustainable ocean economy in Africa. The annual summit convenes innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, industry-leaders, and policy-makers from Africa and abroad leading the way in development and adoption of sustainable ocean solutions.










Tell your ocean-impact story on the main stage!

Do you have an inspiring story to tell about blue economy opportunities and/or impacts on communities, the environment, industry, or economy?
Share it during the OIA 2023 “Pecha Kucha” sessions. Pecha Kuchas are presentations of 20 text-free slides, where the speaker illustrates a concept or insight through storytelling, with 20 seconds for each slide.
Want to take part?
Take a look here and here for tips on the pechakucha format, and send us either your pechakucha slideshow and audio recording (with the pitch script), or a video of you giving the presentation to info@ocean-innovation.africa for the chance to inspire Africa’s ocean impact community with your story!
Calling all African Ocean-Impact Startups!
The annual Ocean Innovation Africa pitch competition is an opportunity for Africa ocean-impact startups to showcase their project to the summit’s international audience of investors, innovators, researchers, policy-makers and NGOs.
Six finalists will be selected to pitch their startup enterprise at the event, with cash and in-kind prizes for the winner and two runners-up.
To be eligible to enter, startups must:
- Have direct or indirect impact on ocean health
- Be based in Africa
- Be less than 3 years old
Submit your pitch deck and get exposure as a change-maker in the ocean-impact space!

Get immersed in Cape Town's blue economy

Ocean Innovation Africa is curating 3 thematic study tours to deep dive into Cape Town’s Blue Ecosystem and showcase innovation to inspire synergies and foster opportunities. We have tailored 3 day-tours focused on: Blue Food, Circular Economy and Outreach Programs.
Participants will be taken into the field to visit key blue economy sites and facilities in Cape Town, meet with local stakeholders, and learn about the latest technologies, startups and innovations in their field.