In a direct response to Africa’s escalating waste crisis—projected to exceed 200 million tonnes annually by 2030—OceanHub Africa (OHA) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) have launched the “Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity.” Announced in early February 2026, this $120,000 pan-African initiative aims to move breakthrough scientific research and early-stage startups out of the laboratory and into the real world.
The challenge targets the “innovation gap,” ensuring that African-led solutions aren’t just conceptual but commercially sustainable and impactful.
1. Strategic Impact Goals
The initiative is built around measurable environmental and socio-economic targets to be achieved through the selected ventures:
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Waste Reduction: Recycling or diverting at least 490 tonnes of plastic waste from African oceans and landfills.
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Economic Inclusion: Creating more than 150 sustainable livelihoods within coastal and urban communities.
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Venture Building: Transitioning science-driven ideas into market-ready applications using OHA’s specialized framework.
2. Tiered Funding and Support Structure
Selected participants will share a total pool of $120,000, delivered through a structured, milestone-based program:
Beyond cash, participants receive technical mentorship, business development support, and market-entry networking with corporate partners.
3. Eligibility and Submission
The call is pan-African and open to a wide range of innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
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Who Can Apply: Scientists, researchers, startups, and impact-driven teams from any African country.
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Focus Areas: Plastic reduction, reuse/refill systems, recycling technologies, alternative materials, and community-led collection.
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Requirement: Applicants must submit an online form and a maximum 5-minute video pitch detailing their solution and its potential for scale.
Key Dates for 2026
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Application Deadline: February 15, 2026 (23:59 SAST).
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Venture Building Phase: March – December 2026 (Hybrid format).
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Acceleration Review: Starting April 2026.
“Breakthrough ideas should not remain confined to research environments. Our goal is to develop them into scalable businesses that deliver tangible environmental and economic results.” — Herland Cerveaux, MD, OceanHub Africa.
