The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity is a pan-African innovation and funding opportunity launched by OceanHub Africa (OHA) in partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF). This initiative responds directly to Africa’s escalating solid waste crisis, particularly the growing challenge of plastic pollution across coastal and urban ecosystems.
Africa’s solid waste output is projected to exceed 200 million tons annually by 2030, with plastic waste posing severe threats to biodiversity, public health, and the livelihoods of millions of people. Despite the presence of groundbreaking research and innovative concepts across the continent, a persistent gap remains between scientific research and market-ready solutions. Many promising ideas fail to transition from laboratories into scalable, commercially viable ventures.
The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity was created to bridge this gap. Through a $120,000 pan-African initiative, OceanHub Africa and The Coca-Cola Foundation aim to empower African-led, science-driven solutions that can revolutionise plastic circularity and contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability, economic inclusion, and innovation across the continent.
About the Organisers: OceanHub Africa and The Coca-Cola Foundation
OceanHub Africa (OHA) is a leading Blue Economy venture building platform with expertise in supporting ocean-impact and sustainability-focused enterprises. Through its specialised venture builder studio, OHA works with innovators to transform early-stage concepts into scalable businesses.
The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) supports initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, sustainable communities, and inclusive economic development. This partnership combines OHA’s venture-building expertise with catalytic funding support to accelerate impactful solutions addressing Africa’s plastic waste crisis.
Objectives of the Plastic Circularity Program
The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity is structured around four core objectives:
1. Bridging the Innovation Gap
The program supports the transition of early-stage, science-driven concepts into market-ready and scalable businesses through OceanHub Africa’s venture building studio.
2. Funding Innovation
The initiative provides catalytic financial support of up to $120,000 USD, enabling innovators to develop, pilot, and scale bold plastic circularity ideas.
3. Enhancing Capacity
Participants receive technical mentorship and business development support to strengthen long-term commercial viability and operational sustainability.
4. Building Market Access
The program facilitates access to corporate partners, market entry networks, and the impact-investment ecosystem, increasing the likelihood of commercial success.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply
The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity is pan-African, meaning it is open to applicants from across the African continent.
Geographic Eligibility
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Open to African-based innovators and teams
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Solutions must be relevant to African coastal and urban environments
Type of Applicants
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Individuals or teams with bold, science-driven ideas addressing plastic circularity
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Innovators working on solutions that can move from research or concept stage toward real-world application
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Applicants must be able to submit a video pitch (maximum 5 minutes) as part of the application
Focus Area
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Plastic waste reduction
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Plastic recycling and circular economy solutions
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Innovations that address plastic pollution in African contexts
Program Structure and Duration
The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity runs through a structured, milestone-based program that combines funding, mentorship, and venture development support.
Program Timeline
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17 December 2025 – Call for applications opens
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15 February 2026 (23:59 SAST) – Applications close
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February 2026 – Evaluation of applications
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March – December 2026 – Venture building period (hybrid format)
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April 2026 – Acceleration program evaluation
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Throughout the program – Documentation and marketing
Program Format
The venture building phase runs in a hybrid format, combining:
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Technical mentorship
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Business development and scaling support
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Pilot testing and validation
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Ongoing evaluation for progression into acceleration
What Selected Participants Can Expect
From Bold Research to Market Reality
OceanHub Africa’s Venture Builder acts as a dedicated launchpad for transforming research-based innovations into market-ready enterprises. The program focuses on the critical transition from scientific discovery to commercial viability.
Participants receive hands-on support to:
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Build and validate a strong business case
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Test solutions in real-world African environments
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Develop sustainable revenue models
Key Support Components
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From Lab to Market: Bridging scientific validation with commercial application
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Testing and Validation: Piloting solutions and collecting real-world data
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Structured Venture Development: Mentorship in financial modelling, operations, and market entry
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Network Access: Connections to corporate partners and investors
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Coaching: One-on-one guidance from industry experts
Funding Structure and Financial Support
The program offers tiered development funding designed to de-risk innovation and support growth through three grant phases:
Grant 1 – CAPEX
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Up to $20,000 USD per venture
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Covers essential capital expenditures and infrastructure
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Provided alongside venture studio support
Grant 2 – Operations and Pilot
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Up to $20,000 USD
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Awarded to 1–2 high-performing ventures
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Supports operational costs and real-world piloting
Grant 3 – Commercialization
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$80,000 USD repayable grant
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Awarded to one venture
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Supports scaling a validated solution into the commercial market
Expected Outcomes and Impact
The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity is designed to deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic outcomes:
Environmental Impact
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Recycling and diverting 490 tons of plastic waste from African oceans and landfills
Social Impact
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Creation of over 150 sustainable livelihoods in coastal and urban communities
Economic Impact
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Development of profitable business models proving the commercial value of circularity
Scalability
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Creation of a replicable pan-African blueprint for combating plastic pollution
How to Apply: Application Process
Applicants must submit their applications online and include:
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Required application information via the official application form
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A video submission (maximum 5 minutes) presenting their idea
Only applications submitted through the official application platform will be considered.
Important Dates and Deadline
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Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
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Time: 23:59 SAST
Late applications will not be accepted.
The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity by OceanHub Africa and The Coca-Cola Foundation offers a unique opportunity for African innovators to transform science-driven ideas into impactful, scalable ventures. By combining venture building, mentorship, and up to $120,000 in funding, the program supports solutions that address Africa’s plastic waste crisis while creating jobs, protecting ecosystems, and advancing circular economy models across the continent.
Innovators ready to turn bold ideas into measurable impact are encouraged to apply.
