What the EU is doing
The EU supports BlueInvest Africa, an initiative that brings together finance and partners to help grow Africa’s blue economy (i.e. all the economic activities related to the ocean and waters).
Through BlueInvest Africa, the EU connects entrepreneurs, investors, charities and public bodies to help build an ocean economy in Africa that can cope with climate change, includes local communities and protects natural resources. The initiative provides practical support to businesses, promotes investment in emerging opportunities, and fosters skills development, entrepreneurship, and fairer economic opportunities - particularly for young people, women, and coastal communities.
It is funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and part of the EU's Global Gateway Strategy. It supports the goals of the Ocean Pact by encouraging Africa-Europe cooperation on ocean-related projects.
Objectives
BlueInvest Africa aims to
- support innovative African start-ups, SMEs and scale-ups
- promote African solutions to global challenges and strengthen Africa’s blue economy ecosystem
- highlight projects with a proven track record or strong potential for impact, including in climate resilience, food security, job creation and youth empowerment
- provide investors with a pipeline of investment-ready projects
- build a community that connects actors, projects, skills, solutions and resources across Africa and Europe
Key achievements
- a growing network of more than 400 members
- participation by over 40 public and private financial institutions from Africa and Europe
- more than 100 African entrepreneurs supported through coaching and event pitching
- the development of a structured support model combining events, investor access, coaching and a project pipeline
- three editions held to date, with a fourth scheduled for November 2026 in South Africa
BlueInvest Africa – frequently asked questions
What kind of activities does BlueInvest Africa organise?
BlueInvest Africa organises a range of activities, including
Events
BlueInvest Africa organises events that connect entrepreneurs and investors and showcase African innovation and talent in the blue economy. These events include
- pitching sessions
- networking
- storytelling
- knowledge exchange
- business matchmaking
Their purpose is to help local solutions attract finance, build partnerships and deliver measurable impact.
Past and upcoming events
- Seychelles (2022)
- Kenya (2024)
- Togo (2025)
- South Africa (November 2026)
Community-building
BlueInvest Africa is more than a series of events. It is a growing community that brings together
- African entrepreneurs
- private investors from Africa and Europe
- innovators
- public and private stakeholders in Africa’s blue economy
Coaching for entrepreneurs
Before each event, selected entrepreneurs take part in an online capacity-building programme. Participants are selected on the basis of
- the commercial viability of their project
- its scalability and potential impact
The coaching helps entrepreneurs to
- present their business and financing needs clearly
- improve their investor pitch
- prepare for discussions with technical and financial partners
- strengthen their capacity to scale up
Project pipeline
BlueInvest Africa also supports a pipeline of investment-ready businesses that have moved beyond the idea stage and are seeking first-time or follow-on investment.
The pipeline includes projects in
- blue food systems in Africa
- circular ocean solutions
- climate and ecosystem innovation
- smart ocean, data, AI and robotics
- marine services and infrastructure
This helps investors identify promising opportunities and connect directly with African companies ready to grow.
Is BlueInvest Africa a grant?
No. BlueInvest Africa does not provide direct funding to businesses or projects. Instead, it
- helps companies become investment-ready
- connects them with financing opportunities from private-sector and public financial institutions
Which countries does BlueInvest Africa cover?
BlueInvest Africa is a continental initiative. It covers all African countries, including landlocked countries.
Which companies does BlueInvest Africa support?
BlueInvest Africa supports African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that
- are already active in the blue economy
- have innovative ideas with commercial potential
- are legally registered in an African country, with their head office or registered office on the continent
- hold the intellectual property rights for the proposed product or service
Does BlueInvest Africa support early-stage startups?
BlueInvest Africa focuses on concrete investment opportunities. It supports companies and projects, including start-ups, that are already operating or scaling up and preparing to raise finance.
Very early-stage start-ups are generally not eligible.
Can entrepreneurs or investors outside Europe and Africa engage with BlueInvest Africa?
BlueInvest Africa is open to
- companies active in Africa
- financial institutions based in Africa, the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom
How can I apply for the coaching programme and pitch my project?
BlueInvest Africa publishes an annual call for pitching applications, including the relevant eligibility and selection criteria.
Are all projects eligible?
No. Sustainability is a core principle of BlueInvest Africa. The following are not eligible
- projects that endanger marine or onshore ecosystems
- projects that threaten Indigenous communities
- projects linked to illegal activities, including human or animal trafficking, abuse, violence, or trafficking in drugs, weapons or tobacco
- projects that are primarily defence-oriented or involve military cooperation
Dual-use technologies remain eligible where they have civilian, environmental, safety or sustainability applications in ocean-related contexts.
How can I join the BlueInvest Africa community?
- Join the BlueInvest Africa LinkedIn Group
- Register for events