Blue Economy

Happy New Year from all of us at Sote Hub 🎉 We’re grateful to our community, partners, and innovators for the support and collaboration. Cheers to a year of growth, opportunities, and meaningful impact ahead.

Please read the summary report here: bit.ly/3L63OQv

Still buzzing from the just concluded #BlueEconomy Summit 2025! Missed it? Don’t worry, catch the highlights from this mega gathering that united visionaries and networks driving Africa’s Blue Economy here: bit.ly/4osLCyM

His message echoed the summit’s spirit of partnership across science, policy, entrepreneurship, and community action. In a special moment, he congratulated David Ogiga, Director of Sote Hub, on celebrating 10 years of impact.

we were honored to hear from @MichalMlynar , Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat, during the Blue Economy 2025 Declaration & Summit Overview. He emphasized that collaboration is the foundation of progress reminding us that no single actor can deliver the transformation need.

Even when funding is available, formal agreements with financiers are complex, as many investors struggle to understand the unique needs and timelines of science-driven startups. As Hope Mwanake emphasized, sometimes these opportunities come only through goodwill.

We explored the critical link between research and entrepreneurship,& the hurdles that scientists face when turning innovation into viable enterprises. The availability of seed funding for many scientist is hard to come by yet early-stage funds are vital to derisk ventures

“Science is good, but entrepreneurship is hard.” Was hard reality for the scientists at the “Science to Business (S2B) – Derisking Science to Business Ventures” session.

Dream Achievers Youth Organisation (DAYO) and DAYO Radio were honored to attend the Blue Economy Innovation & Investment Summit 2025. #BlueEconomySummit2025 #PoweringAfricasBlueGrowth #YouthForBlueEconomy #OceanInnovation #DayoSpeaks #SustainableFutures

1.ClimateTech funding in Africa is expanding, yet concentrated in just a few markets & sectors. 2. The biggest gaps remain at the early stage, especially for women-led and science-based startups. 3. Blended finance holds promise, but poor structuring risks widening inequalities

Designed as a practical roadmap, the guide helps investors navigate pathways to fund climate and blue economy ventures across Africa. Some key takeaways from the launch included:

At the summit, GIZ &SPARK officially unveiled the Funders’ Guide Playbook, presented by David Saunders (Director of Strategy & Growth, @briter_co ) during the Blue Investment panel.

To all the startups who pitched, shared, and inspired: you are the future of the blue economy. Keep building, keep trying, and keep shaping the transformation our communities and planet need.

Every pitch told a story of vision and determination, from climate-smart solutions to community-driven enterprises. Each attempt is a masterclass in resilience, market insight, problem-solving, and relationship building.

"If you don’t want to fail, don’t build a business.” At this year’s summit, we were reminded that entrepreneurship is not only about success it’s about resilience, creativity, and the courage to keep trying.

Tourism, especially along our coasts, thrives when oceans are healthy, communities are resilient, and innovations are inclusive.

“Protecting our ocean is protecting our economy, our future, and our very survival. It is our duty if we want a thriving tomorrow,” said Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, PS, State Department of Science, Research & Innovation

As the world marks World Tourism Day 2025 under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” the conversations at the Blue Economy Innovation & Investment Summit in Mombasa could not be more timely.

Behind every smile, many men carry silent battles. Stress, depression, and anxiety don’t make you less of a man — they make you human. Talking about it doesn’t mean weakness, it means healing. #MensMentalHealth #BreakTheSilence #StrongNotSilent #HealingIsStrength #EndTheStigma

@Sote_Hub did it again Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit 2025 was a blast. Great conversations and Inspiring inventions. #blueeconomysummit2025