OceanHub Africa (OHA), together with The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), is pleased to unveil a pan-African competition worth $120,000 aimed at gathering innovative science-based solutions to address plastic waste. This Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity targets scientists, innovators, and startups across Africa, seeking solutions that can be adopted continent-wide, transforming promising ideas into effective and actionable initiatives.
The program aims to tackle the pressing issue of plastic pollution by promoting solutions and business models that move from conceptual phases to practical market applications. The goal is to achieve the recycling of 490 tons of plastic waste while also creating over 150 sustainable job opportunities within coastal and urban communities in Africa.
The Call for Bold Ideas: Aiming for Measurable Outcomes
OceanHub Africa’s Call for Bold Ideas intends to close the gap between preliminary ideas and commercial-ready solutions, leveraging its unique venture-building framework. The initiative will:
● Grant up to $120,000 for selected projects to facilitate their scaling-up.
● Provide essential technical assistance and business mentorship to help ventures reach commercialization.
● Enable connections to market entry pathways and potential corporate partners to foster growth.
● Set measurable impact targets, including the recycling of 490 tons of plastic and the creation of over 150 sustainable jobs.
Moving From Concept to Commercial Viability
“At OceanHub Africa, our focus is on ensuring that revolutionary solutions do not remain merely academic but evolve into viable businesses that yield significant outcomes,” stated Herland Cerveaux, Managing Director of OceanHub Africa. “This partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation is crucial in providing necessary resources and connections to empower innovators to attain market readiness and drive impact.”
Jeff Denby, Senior Director, Recycling Value Chains at The Coca-Cola Foundation, emphasized, “This initiative underscores our commitment to safeguarding ecosystems while backing projects that promote economic inclusion. We believe that equipping locally initiated ideas with financial support and expert guidance positions African innovations for a substantial impact.”
Immediate Action Required to Combat Africa’s Plastic Crisis
By the year 2030, Africa's annual solid waste output is projected to surpass 200 million tons, with plastics being a major contributor to this challenge. As the impacts of the plastic pollution issue disproportionately burden the continent, there is an urgent need for scalable waste management solutions. This challenge is centered on leveraging science, innovation, and entrepreneurship to effectively tackle these concerns.
Submit Your Application by February 15, 2026
Individuals looking to make a difference in promoting plastic circularity in Africa are encouraged to participate. The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2026, at 23:59 SAST. Interested parties can find more details and submit their applications at https://tally.so/r/aQ9RRX.
This initiative represents a significant stride toward delivering practical, scalable solutions to Africa’s escalating waste challenges. Innovators, startups, and researchers are urged to join in this effort to foster a sustainable future for the continent.
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