OceanHub Africa has selected 13 new ventures from seven African countries to join the July intake of the seventh cohort of its 12-month acceleration programme, reinforcing efforts to grow businesses that support Africa’s Blue Economy.
The latest intake forms part of a programme that will support up to 24 ventures across two intakes in March and July, with entrepreneurs receiving business development support, investment readiness training, strategic connections and access to funding opportunities. The founders will also participate in a five-day bootcamp in Tunisia before presenting their businesses at the Blue Economy Showcase on 5 September.
OceanHub Africa said its mission goes beyond operating an accelerator. The organisation is building an ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs, investors and communities working to create practical solutions for healthier oceans and stronger coastal economies. By supporting businesses that address environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities, the programme aims to demonstrate that innovation can drive sustainable development across the continent.
Startups tackling Africa’s ocean and coastal challenges
The new cohort represents businesses developing solutions across aquaculture, fisheries, recycling, clean technology and circular economy innovation.
Rwanda’s AquaTreasures, founded by David Kayihura, Irakoze Genereuse and Nathnael Moges Ketema, is connecting freshwater fish farmers with feed producers to improve efficiency and strengthen aquaculture value chains.
Kenya’s Bahari Mezani Ltd, founded by Alphonce Owiti, is transforming coastal fisheries through solar-powered cold chain solutions that help reduce post-harvest losses while improving market access for fishing communities.
Kenya’s Baus Taka Enterprise, founded by Dr Tayba Hatimy, operates a technology-enabled waste management business that tackles marine plastic pollution while creating green employment through circular economy solutions.
Zambia’s BioGreen Technology, founded by Niza Aritha Zulu and Mukonka Nkamu, develops smart aquaculture technologies that help fish farmers improve production and build more sustainable fish farming operations.
Kenya’s Constantnople Enterprise, founded by Boniface Wainaina, is improving fish farming through AI-powered high-density polyethylene fish cage technology designed to increase productivity, profitability and sustainability.
Ghana’s Chainte Afrique Academy, founded by Venan Sondo, recovers discarded fishing nets and plastic waste, rewards local collectors and connects recycled materials with international buyers to strengthen recycling value chains.
Kenya’s Ecobana Limited, founded by Brian Ndungu Wanjiru and Lennox Omondi, addresses both period poverty and plastic pollution by manufacturing affordable biodegradable sanitary pads made from banana fibres.
Kenya’s CoolCatch Distributors Limited, founded by Joram Kabach, is building a fully traceable cold chain network that links smallholder fish farmers, processors and buyers across East Africa.
Tunisia’s Privacy Leather, founded by Maher Sellami, transforms fish skins and invasive species into premium chrome-free leather, creating value from materials that would otherwise become waste.
Nigeria’s Olaogo Farms, founded by Temitope Folashade Olaolu, has developed an Internet of Things water quality monitoring system that helps catfish hatcheries improve production and farm management.
Kenya’s Trident Analytics, founded by Elizabeth Gakinya, combines IoT automation, artificial intelligence and digital market access tools to improve productivity for smallholder aquaculture farmers.
Tunisia’s PigmentOCO, founded by Amal Chebbi and Ayoub Lassoued, develops green chemistry technologies that reduce pollution from the textile dyeing and finishing industry, helping protect marine ecosystems.
South Africa’s Waste Line (Pty) Ltd, founded by Nathi Thusi, has built a digital waste management and recycling platform that connects households, businesses, waste collectors, recyclers and municipalities through a single ecosystem.
Building investment-ready businesses for Africa’s Blue Economy
The latest intake reflects OceanHub Africa’s focus on backing practical, locally developed businesses that address environmental challenges while creating jobs and economic opportunities. The selected ventures cover a wide range of sectors but share a common goal of improving ocean health, strengthening coastal communities and advancing climate resilience.
By providing mentorship, investment readiness support and access to strategic partners, OceanHub Africa aims to help these businesses scale their impact and attract the capital needed to grow. As Africa’s Blue Economy continues to gain momentum, initiatives such as this are helping position entrepreneurs as key drivers of sustainable economic growth and long-term environmental stewardship across the continent.
