OceanHub Africa (OHA), in partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), has announced a $120,000 pan-African challenge aimed at uncovering innovative, science-driven solutions to plastic waste across the continent.

Titled the ‘Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity,’ the initiative invites scientists, innovators, and startups from across Africa to submit ideas capable of scaling beyond concept stage into impactful, measurable, and commercially viable solutions.

The challenge responds to the escalating plastic pollution crisis by accelerating practical solutions and business models that can transition from early ideation into market-ready applications.

Through this effort, the partners aim to enable the recycling of at least 490 tonnes of plastic waste while creating more than 150 sustainable livelihoods in coastal and urban communities across Africa.

Designed to bridge the gap between promising ideas and viable enterprises, the Call for Bold Ideas will be delivered through OceanHub Africa’s venture builder framework.

Selected participants will receive a share of up to $120,000 in funding to support early scaling, alongside technical guidance and business mentorship to help translate their concepts into commercially sustainable ventures.

The programme will also connect innovators with market entry networks and corporate partners, ensuring that supported ideas move beyond the laboratory or pilot stage into real-world adoption and measurable environmental impact.

Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director of OceanHub Africa, Herland Cerveaux, noted that the goal is to ensure that breakthrough ideas do not remain confined to research environments but are developed into scalable businesses that deliver tangible environmental and economic results.

He emphasised that the partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation provides not only financial support but also access to networks that can accelerate market readiness and long-term impact.

Senior Director of Recycling Value Chains at The Coca-Cola Foundation, Jeff Denby, highlighted the importance of combining environmental preservation with economic inclusion.

He explained that empowering locally driven ideas with funding and structured guidance creates an opportunity for African innovations to address the plastic crisis while generating livelihoods and strengthening communities.