Sote Hub

🌊 Strengthening Tanzania’s Blue Economy Innovation Ecosystem | Strategic Engagement and Partnership Building.

Last two weeks we have been conducting productive courtesy & strategic engagements alongside GIZ, GIZ East Africa with key Government innovation and entrepreneurship institutions in Zanzibar & Dar-es-Salaam.

First, were fruitful discussions with IBUA Hub in Unguja, under the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), engaging with Dr. Suleman Mohamed (Research Coordination Officer) and Promise Mwakale (Partnerships Manager).

Later at the Zanzibar Technology and Business Incubator (ZTBI) under the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA), we met with Ahmed Nassor Masoud (Head of Division of Technology and Innovation), Asha Salum (Acting Director, Department of Technology Development and Business Promotion), Noring Rodrick Moshi (Executive Director’s Personal Assistant), Abdillah Mohammed Adam (Mechanical Engineer), and Ali Omary (Director of Human Resources).

We also engaged with the Zanzibar Tourism Business Incubator (ZATOBI) at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), where we met Dr. Salum Ali (Incubator Manager), Sharifa Omary (Acting Director, Institute of Tourism), and M***a M***a (Administrator).

Last stop in , where we were warmly received at Buni Hub under COSTECH. We had the honor of meeting Dr. Amos Nungu (Director General, COSTECH), Dr. Gerald Kafuku (Innovation Manager), and Patience Karua (Chief Executive Officer, Buni Hub).

The common thread in our engagements centered on strengthening partnerships and exploring collaborative opportunities in the Blue Economy, 🐟 🐠 🚢 ⚓️ startup incubation and enhancing access to finance 💰 for the innovators and entreprenurs.

Thanking you all to our hosts for the hospitality and very productive last few days 🙌

The Sote Hub delegation was led by our Director, David Ogiga & Community Engagement Officer, Efron Malima. From GIZ, Brenda Kibiku, Nicolas Lamade and from European Union in Tanzania, Daniel Gonzalez Levassor.

The Elevate Blue East Africa Cohort 2- Incubation Program has officially kicked off in Dar es Salaam, convening a vibrant cohort of 25 entrepreneurs

Over the course of a two-day intensive training, participants engaged in a dynamic and practical session on Sales Growth Strategies, facilitated by George Magugi. The sessions challenged founders to rethink how they attract, convert, and retain customers, while equipping them with tools to build sustainable and scalable growth.

Day one was further enriched by a visit from partners, including representatives from MTI Investment, Mercy Thomas-Team Lead and Head of Business Support, and Jesuit-Finance, promoting valuable exchanges and strengthening collaboration within the ecosystem.

More insights and highlights to follow as the incubation journey continues.

Norad

The application window for the call for trainers is now officially closed.

We are grateful for the overwhelming response to the call, with over 200 trainers expressing interest. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort shared through these submissions.

We look forward to the next phase as we review submissions and prepare to engage selected trainers on this exciting journey.

In our continuous stakeholder engagement, we paid a courtesy call to Kenya Marine and Fisheries research institute (KMFRI), a government research institution enabling sound management recommendations essential for the ocean waters, and all aquatic resources in Kenya.

Our discussions centered around science to innovation and science to business with areas around coral reef restoration, seaweed value addition, prawn farming and solar fish drying hubs in Shimoni, Kwale.

Other focus areas include:

💠 Building the capacity of Blue Economy entrepreneurs esp on commercialization
💠 Co-developing projects and joint publications
💠 Launching a science mentorship programme with startups from Sote Hub incubator accessing KMFRI labs for prototyping and testing
💠 Field visits for experiential learning
💠 Collaborating on joint events such as the Our Ocean Conference pre-event science conference
💠 Ocean Literacy in particular targeting youth in schools

Thank you Dr. Jacqueline Uku- Principal Research Scientist, Victoria Tarus Deputy Director Capacity Building, Josephine Njeru Research Scientist, Joan Karanja, and Noah Kiprop. Our mission was represented by our Director David Ogiga, Head of Programs Alvin Chole and Senior Programmes Officer Lucia Muthoni.

Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

Thank you Segal Family Foundation 👐

Building startups is one thing. Building the systems that support them is another. 📍

David Ogiga has spent years putting those pieces in place.

As co-founder and director of Sote Hub, he’s helping innovators across Kenya and Tanzania move from early concepts to businesses that can actually last. Under his leadership, the organization has backed more than 1,000 enterprises, with strong representation in the blue economy, climate, and agriculture.

His contribution goes beyond startup coaching, because he also invests in the connective tissue that keeps early-stage work moving: local networks, investor access, and shared support structures.

That’s also where his commitment to nature and ocean conservation shows up most clearly.

As he continues his studies in marine sciences, he’s bringing science closer to entrepreneurs and bringing entrepreneurs closer to the realities of marine ecosystems. The result is a more practical bridge between research and what actually gets built.

Beyond Sote Hub, David’s work extends across the broader innovation ecosystem. As founding chair of the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs in Kenya, he helped connect grassroots innovation spaces across the country.

He has also served on the board of AfriLabs, representing Eastern Africa, and is a co-initiator and current board member of the African Federation of Business Angel Networks, where he works to unlock more local capital for early-stage startups across the continent.

That's why we're proud to welcome him as a 2026 African Visionary Fellow. If his vision resonates with you, follow him and his team, and be sure to leave him a note in the comments. 💚

What if you could spend nine months in Norway building a climate startup with access to global mentors, incubators, and investors?

Applications are now open for the Climate Exchange Venture Builder, Founder in Residence Program.

Our partner MTI Investments is looking for two founders from Kenya and Tanzania who are ready to develop solutions to address some of the region’s most pressing climate challenges in energy, agriculture, and transportation.

Selected founders will participate in a venture-building exchange in Norway, where they will collaborate with international experts, innovation labs, and investors to transform bold ideas into scalable ventures.

To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please visit:
https://lnkd.in/dDRujdtg

Norec MTI Investment

Call for Trainers!

Are you passionate about empowering MSMEs and boosting digital visibility?

Join the Digital Business Program (DBP) an initiative by the UK-Kenya Tech Hub implemented by Sote Hub.

As a Trainer, you will:
• Train MSMEs to build no-code websites
• Guide entrepreneurs on e-commerce & digital marketplaces
• Promote digital responsibility

📍 Open to entrepreneurs in Mombasa County with digital marketing/e-commerce experience.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to become a SokoPlug Trainer.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Application link: http://bit.ly/4vdtvBj
Deadline: 12th April 2026.

EldoHub

We had the privilege of visiting Pwani University and were honoured to meet the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Halimu Suleiman Shauri; Associate Professor Wilton Mbinda from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and Jackline.

Our discussion centred on shared interests in the blue economy following the signing of an MoU, with the aim of strengthening collaborations.
The partnership will focus on the following key areas:
💠Regional Ecosystem Building – Strengthening innovation corridors across Mombasa and Dar es Salaam through strategic collaboration with academia within the region.
💠 Incubation & Acceleration – Building startups pipeline right from the university and support for commercialisation.
💠 Practical Learning & Mentorship – Enhancing aquaculture and marine student exposure through mentorship, internship and placements.
💠 Applied Ocean Research – Bridging the gap between science and business, driving research initiatives with practical relevance to coastal communities

Our mission was represented by our Director, David Ogiga, Head of Programmes, Alvin Chole and Machocho Veronica, Programmes Assistant.

Congratulations to the outstanding grant winners of the Bahari Innovation Challenge. These exceptional innovators stood out for their bold, practical solutions that are transforming Tanzania’s Blue Economy across fisheries, aquaculture, and sustainable tourism.

Five enterprises were awarded 119,372,000 million Tanzania Shillings. Congratulations to: Refasha Zanzibar Limited, Healthy Seaweed Co. Limited, SeaBlue Innovators Co.Ltd, EcoAct Tanzania, and Innolif Group.

Five more will receive an in-kind package, including licensing, conferences, and events, valued at TZS 29,843,000. These are:
Cornice Products, Nishati Mix, AHA Export & Import Company Limited, Preyo Company Limited, and Kalinga Fresh Fish Farm

We are proud to support these entrepreneurs as they scale their innovations and create lasting impact in the Blue Economy.

The Bahari Innovation Challenge is implemented by Sote Hub in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, supported by GIZ ProsperBlue Program, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

We are thrilled to share with our partners and communities that Sote Hub’s mission of Empowering MSMEs in Tanzania’s Blue Economy has been officially endorsed by the UNESCO Ocean Decade, becoming part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030.

This global recognition marks a significant milestone in our journey in supporting entrepreneurs in the , and that our projects are actively playing a central role in supporting the mission to catalyse transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and the ocean, and the commitment to the vision of the science we need for the ocean we want.

Mandated by the UN General Assembly, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) coordinates the preparations and implementation of the Ocean Decade. The Sote Hub project is recognised under No. UN36. SEAWARD Africa.

Ocean Decade Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO

Equity Bank in partnership with Sote Hub, hosted a Blue Economy Financial Roundtable that brought together startups and financial experts for an engaging discussion on access to funding.

During the session, startups interacted directly with representatives from Equity Bank, exploring financing options such as loans and grants, and gaining clarity on what makes businesses investment-ready. The conversation also unpacked why some startups secure funding while others do not, offering practical insights into governance, financial management, and growth potential.

Overall, the roundtable provided entrepreneurs with valuable knowledge and tools to better position themselves for financing and sustainably grow their businesses within the Blue Economy.

Equity Bank Kenya