TBA

Harmonizing Regulatory Frameworks for Cross-Border Collaboration and to Protect Biodiversity Hotspots

Description
Track Lead: IOC Sub-Commission for Africa & Adjacent Small Island States/ Council of Governors (CoG)- TBC Keynote on Blue Economy Policies Update from the National Government Keynote Speaker 1: Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi- IOC Moderator: Victor Agolla - Viffa Consult Panelists:
  1. Ms. Mary Mwiti- CEO, Council of Governance (TBC)
  2. Hindu Salim Mohamed- FCDC Blue Economy Coordinator
  3. Annah Kamau - A.N. Kamau & Co. Advocates
  4. Dr Godfred Sowah Khartey- CESMMA
Show case
  • Patrick Mbelle - Blue Economy, County Executive Committee Chairman
  • Betty Sharon - Collaboration of Women In Development (CWID)

08:00 AM - 09:00

Guest arrival, Registration, entertainment, and tour of exhibitions

Description
Tour of exhibitions facilitated by David Ogiga and Alvin Chole Registration facilitated by Brenda  and Cynthia Shitoko

09:00 AM - 10:00

National Anthem, Opening Prayers, Welcome Remarks, Setting the Agenda, and Recap from 2024 Edition

10:00 AM - 10:30

Ocean startups pitch - 3 pitches

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Key Guest Speakers

Description
Key Guest Speakers 
  • Mr. David Ogiga, Director, Sote Hub
  • Anton Dahlberg- CEO, MTI Investment
  • Olive Mumbo- Ocean Centres Kenya
  • ENABEL, representative of Tanzania
  • Olaf Seidel- GIZ Spark
  • Kris Ansin- Country Director, Technoserve Kenya

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM

Tea Break + Tour of exhibitions

11:50 AM - 12:00 PM

Startup pitch - 2 Startups

11:50 AM - 12:00 PM

Ocean Spoken Word Presentation

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Key Note Speech

Description
Key Note Speech
  • H.E. Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir- Governor, Mombasa County
  • Wisnu Lombardwinanto - Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Indonesia in Nairobi
  • H.E. Maros Mitrik- Slovak Ambassador to Kenya
  • Alexander Fierley, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Nairobi
  • H.E. Henriette Geiger - EU Ambassador to Kenya
  • Hon. Aden A. Millah, Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Kenya

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Guests Lunch and Networking

02:30 PM - 04:30

Financing Coastal Communities: Scaling Solutions Across Blue Economy Value Chains

Description
Track Lead: Technoserve Keynote: Wangari Theuri, Senior Program Manager, BlueBiz, Moderator: Kris Ansin, Country Director, Technoserve Panelist:
  1. Mercy Mukulu - Country Director, Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa
  2. Esnas Tsindoli- Youth leader and climate change advocate
  3. Will Gertler - CEO and Co-Founder, Kumbatia,
  4. Patrick Nyoike - Head of Blue Economy in Equity Group Holdings PLC
Showcase: Patrick Nyoike - Head of Blue Economy in Equity Group Holdings PLC

02:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Marine plastic pollution: Innovative Solutions for African Ocean Countries - Reflections from UNOC-3 & INC 5.2

Description
Track Lead: East Africa Wildlife Society Keynote speaker: (TBC) Moderator: Kevin Lunzalu- Marine Project Officer The East African Wildlife Society Panelists: 
  1. Edwin Mwashinga- Programme Officer, UNESCO-IOC’s Sub-Commission for Africa
  2. John Kashangi - Global Development Incubator
  3. George Awalla - VSO
  4. Dr. Tayba Hatimy - Baus Taka
  5. Gerald Mwangi- Project Manager, Hand in Hand
  6. Lucy Ngorongo- Junkybins
Showcase: 
  • Hannah Evans - Flipflopi
  • Dafford Owino - Eco Print

09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Session 1 - Funders’ Guide Launch

Description
Track Lead: GIZ Spark Keynote speaker & Moderator: David Saunders - CEO, Briter Bridges Panelist: 
  1. Susan Wanjiku - GIZ SPARK
  2. Maaike Broekhuis – Doen Foundation
  3. Lucretia Chopera- Katapult Ocean, South Africa
  4. Jorgs Mbugua - E-bikes Africa
Showcase: Spark GIZ

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Ocean Spaces Kenya Workshop

Description
Track Lead: UN Global Compact Network Kenya. Ocean Spaces Kenya hosts a workshop focusing on advancing sustainable ocean stewardship in Kenya across four key action areas: shipping and ports, fishing and aquaculture, finance and investment, and offshore renewables Keynote Speaker: Judy Njino- Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya Moderator: Mobibo Omenge Joseph- Dolly Enterprises Panel:
  1. Olive Mumbo- Ocean Centres Kenya
  2. Johan Byskov - Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
  3. Dr. Ivan Williams Jimenez- Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Tea Break

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

Aligning capital impact and opportunity – Dialogue Between Finance Providers and Blue Entrepreneurs.

Description
Track Lead: Our Blue Future (OBF) Remarks: Robin Farrington- Component Leader, ProsperBlue Moderator: Brenda Kibiku - Technical Advisor, GIZ Panel: 
  1. Jeff Ardron, PhD, Africa Oceans Director - The Nature Conservancy.
  2. Kai Mollel - Head of Stanbic Incubator.
  3. Theresa Reisch, Senior Nature Advisor - FSD Africa.
  4. Santatra Razafindratsimba - Business Engagement Senior Officer; Southwest Indian Ocean program Blue Finance Lead.
  5. Lucretia Chopera- Katapult Ocean, South Africa
  6. Clinton Obura- Samaking (Blue Startup)

11:30 AM - 01:00 PM

Ocean Spaces Kenya Workshop

Description
Track Lead: UN Global Compact Network Kenya. Ocean Spaces Kenya hosts a workshop focusing on advancing sustainable ocean stewardship in Kenya across four key action areas: shipping and ports, fishing and aquaculture, finance and investment, and offshore renewables Moderator: Mobibo Omenge Joseph- Dolly Enterprises Panel: 
  1. Olive Mumbo- Ocean Centres Kenya
  2. Johan Byskov - Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
  3. Dr. Ivan Williams Jimenez- Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Session 3 - Joint Innovation Facility

Description
Track Lead: GIZ Spark Fireside chat – Building investable pipeline for JIF - Unpacking Project Studio (Technical Assistance) and featuring successful consortia. Moderator: Agnes Tsuma – GIZ | SPARK Speakers:
  1. Maaike Broekhuis – Doen Foundation
  2. Veera Rautio - Haus
  3. Chris Maraa- Kiri EV

12:30 PM - 01:30 PM

Session 2 - Science to Business (S2B)- Derisking Science to Business Ventures – Unpacking roles of intermediaries and funding mechanisms.

Description
Track Lead: GIZ Spark Moderator: Agnes Tsuma, GIZ Spark Speakers:
  1. Dr. Imogen Napper- Regional Blue Science and Business Innovation Manager at IUCN ESARO
  2. Herland CERVEAUX- CEO, Ocean Hub
  3.  Hope Mwanake- InspCorp

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Lunch Break

02:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Accelerating the African Seaweed Sector: A look at Kenyan Innovation, Investment & Impact

Description
Description: Understand what it will take to unlock growth in the African and Kenyan seaweed sector - across farming, processing, policy, investment, and market access. Track Lead: Maaike Broekhuis - DOEN Foundation Start-up Showcase: 
  • Patrik Huber - Mawimbi Ocean Innovations,
  • Janno van der Laan - Nasaru Naturals,
  • Fatuma Mang'ena - Healthy Seaweed Co Limited
Panel: 
  • Peter Green - Hatch Blue
  • James Gichuhi - Gatsby Foundation
  • George Maina - The Nature Conservancy
  • Lucas Robinson - Renew Capital
  • Fiona Wanjiku Moejes - Mawimbi Ocean Innovations,
  • Alfred Rono - Plan International
Discussion and Networking Session: Roundtables to facilitate networking between participants and discussions around financing, innovation and community development.

02:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Artificial Intelligence, Ocean hardware, and Biological Insights in Aquaculture: Case studies

Description
Keynote speaker 1: Savio Wambugu - Chairperson ACIH Moderator: Wayne Gakuo - GDG Pwani Panel: 
  1. Aly Salim - Swahilibox
  2. Denis Onkangi- Kuza Freezer
  3. Dennis Otieno - GIS Oceanography
  4. Junichi Taniguchi- Umitron, Japan
  5. Victor Ashioya - ML Researcher
  6. Chuka Ezenwalie- Silicon Overdrive
  7. Naftal Nyabuto - Shoshin Innovation Hub
Showcase: 
  • Junichi Taniguchi- Umitron, Japan

02:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Climate-Circular Economy in Blue Economy

Description
Track Lead: Circle Innovation Keynote Speaker : Dr. Jacqueline Uku - Senior Researcher, KMFRI Moderator: Lilian Wambua - Nia Ventures Panelists:
  1. Ali Mwanzei - JKP
  2. Catherine Masolia - Somo Africa
  3. Hon. Gatambia & Hon. Kalo - Magistrates of the High Court, Mombasa
  4. Madeleine Ronquest - Auctus ESG
  5. Jane Shuma- WWF Tanzania
Showcase Fredrick Juma - Hydro Victoria Brizan Were - Value Villages

02:30 PM - 04:30 PM

1000 Ocean Startups & Great Blue Wall Ecosystem Dialogue: Testing the Waters on Investable Seascapes

Description
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)

02:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Kenya Maritime Dialogue: Job opportunities and decarbonizing the maritime sector

Description
Track Lead: Blue Radio Keynote speaker & Guest: Aden A. Millah- Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Kenya Moderator: Gilbert Were Panel: 
  1. Christine Kimuli- C.Munasye & Co. Advocates
  2. Phena Akoth - Kenya International Freight
  3. Munuve Mati- Clyde & Co Kenya
  4. Victoria Kariithi, MSc- Mwanyumba Kariithi & Company Advocates

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

SPARK Connect Cocktail (Invite only)

Description
Invite Only

09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Fish Bowl- the Blue Economy Key Voices

Victor Otieno

Description
Panelists: Session Moderators/Sponsors

09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Blue Economy 2025 Declaration and Summit Overview

Description
  • David Ogiga - Director/ Co-Founder, Sote Hub
  • Ibukun Adewumi, Head of the UNESCO-IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA)
  • James Mulandi Kyalo- Compassion Kenya
  • H.E. Michal Mlynar- UN Habitat, Nairobi
  • Hon. Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, PS, Science Research and Innovation

10:20 AM - 10:30 AM

Deal Room Report

Jeremy Riro

Description
Deal Room Report - Jeremy Riro

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Health Break

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Announcements

Description
Announcements
  • MoU/Partnership Signings: Equity-Sote Hub
  • New Investments and Deals flow: Anton Dahlberg- CEO MTI Investment
  • New Projects launching: Hatch Blue

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Closing Remarks

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM

Awarding Ceremony of Winners

Description
3 Categories pitches - ANDE

12:30 PM - 02:30 PM

Photography/Networking Lunch

06:00 PM - 11:10 PM

Sote Hub @10

Description
Sote Hub @10