From the 5^th to the 9^th of November 2021, world leaders of the ocean-impact ecosystem will gather  online and in person at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to showcase development opportunities  in the African blue economy and establish collaborations to drive its growth. 

Ocean Wealth needs Ocean Health 

Limited financial resources and poor infrastructure have held back equitable development of the  ocean economy in most of Africa, but as African nations develop and prosper and conscientious  investors seek to lay the foundation for a more sustainable global future, this situation is set to  change. Africa’s ocean economy is at the top of the continent’s 

political agenda and seen to be a  major contributor to continental transformation. It is critical that current stakeholders ensure that  this growth occurs in an environmentally and socially-conscious manner, core to which is support for  the development and adoption of sustainable solutions. 

Leading the Pack 

Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) is a Cape-Town based movement seeking to catalyse this development  at the pace and scale necessary to match that of the environmental crisis. Hosted by OceanHub  Africa, a Cape Town based startup accelerator, and Catalyze Events, an expert in African business  representation, OIA convenes annually to bring together key industry players, thought-leaders,  policy makers, and innovators to collaborate on solutions to drive such development. The event  counts on the support of City of Cape Town, French software giant Dassault Systèmes and the  French Embassy. 

OIA 2020 saw representatives from the likes of the African Union, European Commission, United  Nations, World Resources Institute, and World Economic Forum join African industry leaders,  innovators, and conservationists to discuss challenges and opportunities to blue economic growth.  The 2021 programme builds on those discussions to home in on key opportunities for  transformation and innovation. 

Showcasing Opportunities, Building Partnerships 

African startups stand the chance to pitch their business model to an international audience of  ocean-impact investors and corporate leaders. The winning solution will receive cash prizes and  mentorship facilitated by the OIA expert network. All relevant applicants will be granted a free  online booth during the virtual part of the event. 

The in-event networking and B2B programmes provide unparalleled opportunity for African  businesses to connect with potential investors and for overseas delegates to develop their network  in Africa. Word of last year’s summit has made waves in the ocean-impact ecosystem and this year’s  audience is set to top the 500 industry-specific delegates that shared their knowledge and expertise last year.  

What to expect 

OIA features expert keynotes and panel discussions along with workshops, exhibitions and startup  pitches. Attendance is free and delegates will have access to all talks and panels, exhibitions, and discounted deals on some of the products and services on offer.
This year will also see the African Chapter of the Global Ocean Hackathon taking place at the V&A  over the conference weekend. Supported by the Two Oceans Aquarium, French investment bank  Société Générale, marine consultancy CLS SA and Zindi, a data science competition platform, local  teams will compete building AI-based ocean-impact algorithms to see who goes through to the  world final in Brest, France. 

Be Part of the Change 

If your business has impact on or is impacted by ocean-health, this event is an unmissable  opportunity for development and future-proofing. Whether you are looking to transition to a more  ocean-friendly business model, find inspiration and strategies for your startup business, looking for  ocean-conscious solution providers or investors, or seeking to benchmark current trends in Blue  Economic development, Ocean Innovation Africa promises to provide a wealth of insights and  networking opportunities. 

Save the dates: 

5^th November – live conference and expo at V&A 

6^th + 7^th November – Hackathon live at V&A 

8^th + 9^th November – online conference and expo Visit www.ocean-innovation.africa to register or contact info@ocean-innovation.africa for more  information about the event, exhibitor options and sponsorship opportunities.