OceanHub Africa will launch its 5-year Impact Report at Ocean Innovation Africa 2026 in Durban on 23 March 2026, highlighting measurable progress in Africa’s regenerative ocean economy.
The report reflects OceanHub Africa’s first five years of supporting a more inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy shaped by local entrepreneurs, strengthened ecosystems and coastal communities positioned to benefit from healthier marine environments.
From the outset, the organisation has focused on ensuring that the Blue Economy creates value that remains within Africa by strengthening livelihoods, restoring ocean ecosystems and enabling solutions grounded in local realities.
While policy and research remain important, OceanHub Africa has prioritised entrepreneurship as a practical pathway to translate ideas into scalable solutions that respond to real challenges facing coastal communities and ocean resources.
Over the past six years, OceanHub Africa has structured its work around four strategic priorities: enabling supportive frameworks, developing entrepreneurial capability, supporting enterprise-driven regeneration and improving access to finance.
Through this approach, 149 ocean-impact businesses have been supported, helping founders transform early-stage ideas into more resilient ventures while strengthening partnerships and support systems across the broader ecosystem.
Founder and CEO Alexis Grosskopf noted that the organisation’s journey has been shaped by responding to real ecosystem needs and building structures that enable long-term growth.
“Rather than forcing a model the market was not ready for, we focused on building what was missing. OceanHub Africa evolved from a startup support initiative into a broader platform to support, connect and invest in Africa’s ocean-impact ecosystem,” he said.
Managing Director Herland Cerveaux highlighted measurable outcomes achieved through the ecosystem-building approach.
“Over the past five years, ventures in our ecosystem have mobilised more than $20 million in capital, women’s participation has increased from 24% to 61%, and the portfolio has created and sustained more than 1 700 full-time blue jobs,” he said.
The report demonstrates how targeted support, collaboration and long-term ecosystem development can unlock economic opportunities linked to ocean sustainability while supporting inclusive participation across coastal communities.
The launch at Ocean Innovation Africa 2026 provides an opportunity to share insights on how Africa-led ocean innovation continues to contribute to job creation, economic resilience and environmental sustainability.
