BLUE INVEST AFRICA
Conference
BlueInvest Africa is an important business event, initiated by the European Commission in 2022. The objective of BlueInvest Africa 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.
DATE: 02 - 03 November 2026
VENUE: The Avenue, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
FORMAT: Confernce
The fourth edition of BlueInvest Africa will bring together 25 high-potential African startups and SMEs selected to pitch their solutions to international investors during a two-day event in Cape Town, South Africa. Organised by the European Union in partnership with the Government of South Africa, BlueInvest Africa has established itself as a leading platform connecting Africa’s blue economy entrepreneurs with global investment opportunities.
A new generation of African blue innovators The selected startups — now officially announced — represent a diverse cross-section of the African continent, with companies from West, East, North and Southern Africa. They operate across key sectors of the blue economy, including:
• Ocean technologies
• Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
• Marine renewable energy
• Circular economy and pollution reduction
Each company has been selected based on its commercial viability, scalability and measurable environmental and social impact.
The 2022, 2024 & 2025 editions of BlueInvest Africa served as a fertile ground for innovative and inspiring projects, highlighting the richness and diversity of entrepreneurship in the African blue economy sector. Among the notable successes, we saw initiatives ranging from the promotion of marine renewable energy to sustainable fishing practices, as well as solutions for eco-friendly maritime transport and the development of coastal tourism.
These projects, driven by passionate and visionary entrepreneurs, not only demonstrated their economic viability but also made a significant contribution to the preservation of marine ecosystems and the well-being of coastal communities. Their positive impact continues to inspire and guide the ambitions of the 2026 edition.
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