Blue Economy Summit 1000 OS Africa x Great Blue Wall Flagship Event - Ecosystem Edition This exploratory dialogue will bring together innovators, private sector actors, policymakers, and partners to test the concept of investable seascapes. Anchored in the global 1000 Ocean Startups (1000OS) ecosystem and the Great Blue Wall (GBW) seascape approach, the session will explore how ecosystems such as seagrass as a case study can serve as baselines for venture building, financing, and regenerative growth in Africa. Through firestarter provocations and breakout labs, the session will:

1. Define how a 1000OS Africa Cluster can strengthen pipelines and avoid fragmentation whilst identifying its priorities ahead of launch in 2026.
2. Stress-test the concept of investable seascapes using ecosystems as asset class and regenerative blue economy as enablers including priorities to unlock pipeline, Identify policy and private sector practice shifts and financing pathways
3. Shape the concept of a Regenerative R&D Facility to connect science to markets and scale regenerative ventures.

The dialogue will culminate in a report-back and synthesis, producing actionable takeaways that directly inform both the 1000OS Africa Cluster and the upcoming Blue Natural Capital Financing Symposium ahead of Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, 2026. This session is supported by the Western Indian Ocean Coastal and Ocean Resilience (WIOCOR) project, which aims to foster governance, science, and locally-led blue economy practices anchored upon seagrass ecosystems, and build momentum for the Blue Natural Capital Financing Symposium. Track Lead: 1000 Ocean Startups and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Speakers:

• Ishraq Osman, Community Lead, 1000 Ocean Startups
• Herland Cerveaux, Managing Director, OceanHub Africa (added)
• Barkha Mossaë, Regenerative Blue Economy Manager, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Denise Nicolau, Regional Coastal and Ocean Ecosystems Manager, IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa
• Edwin Mwashinga - Program Officer at UNESCO
• Dorine Nalo, Head of Programmes for the Stanbic Kenya Foundation
• David Ogiga, CEO & Co-Founder Sote Hub (added)