Our Partners
Government
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
GIZ is a company wholly owned by the German Federal Government and implements development cooperation on behalf of Germany, other
governments and international organizations. GIZ implements the Western Indian Ocean Governance Initiative (WIOGI) project on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with the Nairobi Convention. The project, which helped initiate OBF, aims to strengthen the collective contributions for the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in the WIO region. OBF provides GIZ with a platform to strengthen cooperation between actors, improve learning processes and build mutual capacities and coordinate joint contributions.
Government of Zanzibar
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zanzibar was established in 2020 to accelerate the development of blue economic sectors in Zanzibar. The blue economic agenda of Zanzibar focuses on, among others, fisheries, aquaculture, sustainable tourism, maritime transport, maritime trade, port infrastructure and blue economy governance. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania with a long tradition of a maritime economy in the WIO region. Through OBF, the Government of Zanzibar joins hands with other countries to implement the blue economy agenda while sharing information, knowledge and experiences to minimize vulnerabilities and promote resilience in the WIO region.
ProAzul
The Blue Economy Development Fund, FP – ProAzul, is a Mozambican government financial mechanism that works in partnership with the different sectors of the State, private sector and civil society so that strategic and financial resources are aligned with effective initiatives for the sustainable exploitation of inland waters, sea and coastline created by decree 91/2019 of 27 November. Through OBF, ProAzul has access to a vibrant network of stakeholders committed to advancing the ISBE agenda in the WIO region and can leverage this network to foster impactful partnerships and projects to collectively contribute towards a healthier and prosperous WIO region.
National Management Environment Authority (NEMA)
NEMA is established under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act No. 8 of 1999 (EMCA) as the principal instrument of Government of Kenya for the implementation of all policies relating to environment. NEMA ensures sustainable management of the environment by exercising general supervision and coordination over matters relating to the environment and acts as the principal instrument of government in the implementation of all policies relating to the environment. OBF offers NEMA immense opportunities to tap resources and create partnerships that lead to improved governance of our coastal and marine resources, empowered local communities and sustainable livelihoods.
Inter-governmental organization
Nairobi Convention Secretariat
The Nairobi Convention is part of UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme. It aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. It does this by engaging countries that share the Western Indian Ocean in actions to protect their shared marine environment. The Nairobi Convention—signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Republic of South Africa — provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. OBF offers Nairobi Convention with an avenue to engage diverse stakeholders towards a healthy WIO region.
Ports Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA)
PMAESA is a non-profit, inter-governmental organization made up of Port Operators, Government Line Ministries, Logistics and Maritime Service Providers and other port and shipping stakeholders from the Eastern, Western and Southern African and Indian Ocean regions. PMAESA’s primary objective is to strengthen relations among member ports to promote regional cooperation and subsequent regional integration. PMAESA offers a framework for exchanging information and ideas among its members and creates an enabling environment where members can interface with one another in the port, transport and trade arenas. Through OBF, PMAESA collaborates with other actors to implement strategic and timely projects for a sustainable WIO region.
International NGO
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
IUCN is a membership Union of government and civil society organisations that works to advance sustainable development and create a just world that values and conserves nature. IUCN provides a neutral space in which governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples’ organisations and others can work together to solve environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. These projects combine the latest science with traditional knowledge of local communities to work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working in nearly 100 countries for over half a century to help people and nature thrive. WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat the climate crisis. WWF has prioritized marine seascape and currently implements the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) regional marine programme. The primary goals of the programme are to contribute to the long-term sustainability of small-scale and regional fisheries, leverage investments into an inclusive and sustainable blue economy and promote integrated ocean governance. OBF provides WWF with a platform to realize these goals through awareness and advocacy, and stronger and influential partnerships.
Collective Leadership Institute (CLI)
CLI is an international non-profit organisation with the mission to scale up collaboration skills for a sustainable future. Its capacity building approach empowers people and organisations to address sustainability challenges successfully with a focus on high quality stakeholder collaboration, dialogic change, and collective leadership. CLI is one of the world’s leading mission-driven organisations in the field of making collaboration for sustainability work. Through OBF, CLI is keen on contributing to the success story of a regional transformation network that contributes to the realization of the SDGs by supporting the platform and its members collectively lead in a participatory process.
Conservation International
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, the organization spotlights and secures the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
Wetlands International
Wetlands International is a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. We are dedicated to protecting and restoring wetlands for their environmental value as well as for the services they provide to people. The organization works through a network of offices, partners, and experts to achieve its goals. Most of our work is financed on a project basis by governments and private donors. They are also supported by government and NGO membership.
CORDIO East Africa
Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) East Africa was established in 1999 as a regional research network in the WIO focused on coral reef science. Registered as a non-profit organisation in Kenya in 2003, CORDIO has grown over the past two decades into a leading centre for coastal marine and ocean science and conservation in East Africa and the wider WIO region. OBF offers CORDIO a platform for better and more inclusive governance and sustainably sharing of benefits of the WIO region and assuring the ecosystems and species of the region are healthy.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WCS is an American non-governmental organization founded in 1895. Its mission is to safeguard the world’s wild species and places through science, conservation, public education and the encouragement of respect for nature. WCS implements a marine program in the WIO that has for decades worked with communities, governments, NGOs CBOs in designing and implementing projects that address the threats to coral reefs, associated seagrasses and mangroves and to improve community wellbeing through implementation of science-based approaches. OBF offers WCS an opportunity to access a network of experts in marine space as well as share experiences and best practices with other stakeholders.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
MSC is a global nonprofit organization that works to end overfishing around the world. MSC is committed to reducing the impacts of unsustainable fishing practices and contributing to the health of the world’s oceans. The MSC works with partners to recognise and reward environmentally sustainable fishing practices through its fishery certification and seafood eco-labelling program which uses market incentives to encourage fisheries to make improvements. MSC plans to increase its activity in the WIO and being part of the OBF enables it to align its efforts with other organisations in the region to create synergistic opportunities and contribute to the region’s larger goal.
TechnoServe
TechnoServe is a non-profit pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets in 30 countries to create sustainable pathways out of poverty. Smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs gain the skills, connections, and confidence they need to create viable businesses, improve their incomes, and build brighter futures. TechnoServe works directly with farms and businesses and across whole market systems to make them more sustainable—environmentally, socially, and commercially. Through OBF, TechnoServe seeks to contribute to a thriving WIO region through shared learning and expertise, joint fundraising efforts and community of practice.
World Ocean Council (WOC)
The World Ocean Council (WOC) is a global, cross-sectoral ocean industry leadership alliance committed to “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”, developed by and for the private sector, with a unique and multi-sectoral approach to address cross-cutting issues affecting ocean sustainable development, science and stewardship of the seas. WOC works to develop regional ocean business and investment networks and engage with regional seas and large marine ecosystem agencies. Through OBF, WOC actively collaborates with other ocean stakeholders and diverse ocean business and investment community to jointly develop and deliver real progress in tackling challenges in the WIO region.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
TNC is a global environmental non-profit whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. TNC works within the WIO region in several countries and is currently implementing a five-year project funded by the German government under IKI “Strengthening the blue economy of the Western Indian Ocean through integration of ecosystems services and effective biodiversity conservation” in collaboration with four governments and civil society partners to advance protection and enhancement of ocean assets central to their blue economies. Through OBF, TNC aims to build stronger partnerships for sustainable blue economy in the WIO region.
Regional NGO
South West Indian Ocean Tuna Forum (SWIOTUNA)
SWIOTUNA is a regional marine-related network registered in Kenya as an international public benefit organization with its membership consisting of CSOs, community fisheries collective action units such as Beach Management Units, and Private Sector from the coastal nations and island states of WIO region. The forum provides a capacity-building opportunity to CSOs working on marine and fisheries-related issues to advocate for sustainable use, development, and management of marine fisheries in the SWIO region states with a view to ensuring that the respective countries and local communities derive more socio-economic benefits from their fisheries resources. OBF offers SWIOTUNA a platform to network with like-minded institutions, learn from each other’s experiences and undertake joint advocacy and resource mobilization.
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
WIOMSA is a regional non-profit association dedicated to promoting the educational, scientific and technological development of all aspects of marine sciences in the WIO region comprising individuals, associate, student, institutional and corporate members. WIOMSA engages in a broad range of strategic activities that bridge the gap between research, policy, industry, and society. Through OBF, WIOMSA collaborates with WIO stakeholder groups to bolster connections between science, policy and action by strengthening regional marine science partnerships and collaboration, knowledge and information produced to support sustainable development.
Africa Circular (formerly ACEN Foundation)
Africa Circular is a Dutch-registered non-for-profit organization focused on accelerating the transition to an inclusive, circular and sustainable economy in Africa. It was created through the collaboration of the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN), the network for circular economy practitioners in Africa, and Trinomics, one of the key international policy consultants in the field of environment, energy and climate change. Through OBF, Africa Circular seeks to tailor-make projects to meet the sustainable blue economy agenda through alignment, integration and co-creation of SBE projects with investors and beneficiaries. Africa circular further seeks to develop new economic instruments and incentives and regional structures to fast-track transition to sustainability.
Sustainable Seas Trust (SST)
SST is a science- and education-based organisation focussed on creating networks of empowered and passionate individuals and organizations across Africa, who are committed to valuing, caring for and safeguarding our seas for all who depend on them for their livelihood, health and enjoyment. As a registered international charitable trust, non-profit organization and public benefit organization, SST operates for scientific, educational, socio-economic and philanthropic purposes. SST operates in Africa and has a vision of a future where the people of Africa and her seas flourish together. Through OBF, SST aims to enhance its partnerships and diversify funding to support the realization of its vision.
Regional civil society
Federation des Pecheurs Artisans de l’Ocean Indien (FPAOI):
FPAOI was established in 2015 and registered in Reunion. Its secretariat is based in Mauritius and currently brings together some forty associations and organizations of artisanal fishermen from countries belonging to the Indian Ocean Commission (COI): the Union of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles. The FPAOI serves as a platform for representing small-scale fishermen who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods. OBF offers FPAOI a platform to network, share knowledge and best practices as well as an avenue for effective collaboration and cooperation for fishers of the region to witness progress and prosperity.
Local Civil Society
MIHARI
MIHARI is Madagascar’s national network of locally managed marine areas (LMMAs). LMMAs are areas of ocean managed by coastal communities to help protect fisheries and safeguard marine biodiversity. MIHARI gives small-scale fishers a voice that influences the development of national policy and brings together marine protected area managers to share their experiences in learning exchanges to strengthen their governance capacity and improve their socio-economic and ecological well-being. Through OBF, MIHARI aims to increase its network, make multinational exchanges to enhance and improve/raise advocacy actions on the ocean governance and catalyse initiatives to support sustainable livelihood of the fisher’s community.
Private sector
Sustainable Tech (Pty)
Sustainable Tech is a commercial company driving sustainable technology research, development and implementation across Africa in multiple sectors of energy, water, waste, infrastructure, manufacturing, food security, health and transport. Its main focus is creating small-scale, modular and viable technology applications that fit developing economies, understanding unique socio-economic profiles, needs and impacts. Key to this focus is transitioning to a circular economy where waste is seen as a resource. Through OBF, Sustainable Tech seeks to bring tested solutions to project opportunities in the WIO region to create positive value-chains across all waste streams.
Finance Earth
Finance Earth is a mission-driven social enterprise, working in partnership with world leading environmental organisations to protect and restore nature utilising market-based mechanisms and implementing bespoke financial tools. Finance Earth has worked extensively in the SWIO region to develop proposals for an incubator for coastal communities, which could target and help meet the development and financing needs of SBE focused small enterprises in the region. OBF provides an opportunity for Finance Earth to formulate a joined-up and coherent approach to accelerating sustainable blue economy development in the region, with a focus on designing financing mechanisms that can help channel investment to communities that need it most.
Miarakap
Miarakap is a pioneering actor in blended finance for entrepreneurs in Madagascar. Founded in 2018, Miarakap is a mission-driven company which aims to foster long-term economic and social sustainability in Madagascar through financing, support and promotion of a new generation of ambitions and responsible entrepreneurs. It has developed four complementary lines of activities: equity investment, program management, advisory services and outsourcing of management and finance services. Through OBF, Mariakap gains access to a broader network of stakeholders, empowers the organization to mobilize private and public actors, accelerate growth of impact enterpreneurs as well as contribute to inclusive development and environmental conservation.
Pangea Accelerator
Pangea Accelerator, founded in 2017 and registered in Kenya and Norway, holds the distinction of pioneering one of the first Blue Economy Accelerators in 2022. Pangea specialises in Pan-African investment programs that connect startups focused on the blue economy with both local and global investors. Through its accelerator programs, Pangea empowers entrepreneurs and startups to harness this potential and transform innovative ideas into successful and sustainable businesses. Pangea is also actively involved in the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) space. Through OBF, Pangea aspires to foster stronger collaborations with key stakeholders and developing enabling platforms and outcome-oriented ecosystems to drive positive environmental and social impact.
TechBridge Invest
TechBridge Invest creates positive social impact through developing profitable businesses, job creation and through developing affordable products that solves problems for the underserved population. The organisation has a strong connection to the WIO region as the first Entrepreneur Support Organisation (ESO) to establish in Mombasa. Having been pioneering incubation and acceleration in coastal Kenya for almost a decade, TechBridge has been actively involved in fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable small and medium enterprises along the coastal areas. As a member of OBF, TechBridge aims to align its efforts with a broad coalition of stakeholders, ensuring that its initiatives support an ISBE.
AfriSeas Solutions (Pty)
Afriseas Solutions was established in Cape Town, South Africa, in April 2023 as a specialist consultancy service focused on ocean sustainable development, ocean governance and integrated ocean accounting in African coastal countries. Working to provide African solutions to global ocean challenges, and by facilitating the GOAP African Community of Practice, AfriSeas is partnering with institutions in Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa and others to advance ocean accounting as an integrated ocean governance instrument. For Afriseas, the integration of the ocean accounting discipline into the work of OBF has significant opportunity. The collaborative, cooperative and non-siloed nature of OBF to foster transdisciplinary in adaptive and evidence-based and transformative ocean governance holds a traction to the implementation of ocean accounts.
SmartLab
SmartLab is an Innovation lab founded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2018, with a dual mission: to foster a thriving African innovation ecosystem and to drive sustainable development through the Blue Economy. The organization empowers corporations, startups, and investors to collaborate on groundbreaking solutions that address Africa’s challenges while creating a positive impact on communities. Recognizing the ocean’s immense potential, SmartLab is a key player in the WIO region, driving innovation and positive change in the blue economy, focusing on fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, renewable energy, and maritime transport. OBF offers SmartLab a networking platform, fostering collaborations and partnerships to address ocean challenges through access to valuable resources.
OceanHub Africa (OHA)
OHA was launched in 2019 as the first African ocean-impact catalyst, supporting the development of sustainable ocean-impact innovations and the ecosystem to foster them. The organization strives to support, connect, and invest in innovative tech and community-based ventures that nurture an environmentally conscious, equitable and profitable economy effectively mitigating the ocean’s main challenges – overexploitation, pollution, climate change. Based in Cape Town, at the crossroads of three oceans, OceanHub Africa operates across the continent virtually and through a network of local stakeholders with a strong presence in the SWIO region. OHA is keen on supporting the WIO through OBF to develop practices, success stories and lessons that could be replicated across other African regions, fostering wider regional collaboration and innovation.
Sote Hub
Sote Hub is a blue Entrepreneur Support Organization and a strong voice in the blue economy sector in Kenya and East Africa. Based at the Kenyan Coast in Mombasa, its mission is to grow a viable pipeline of ocean and inland water startups into industry leaders. Over the last three years, the organization has worked with and supported over 800 MSMEs, including 300 high-value startups that are thriving in the blue economy, climate and digital spaces. Its approach includes business incubation and acceleration, guiding startups from ideation to market. As a partner of OBF, Sote Hub is keen to access a global network of like-minded organizations and partnerships who are focused in the blue and ocean economy.