Africa appears to be making waves on the global stage as a driving force in ocean conservation, setting bold goals and delivering innovative solutions to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations. With a coastline of more than 30,000 kilometers and some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity, African nations are stepping forward to lead.
Now in its second year, the OceanLove Innovation Award is on track to become the world’s most inclusive ocean-related innovation award. With nearly 200 applicants already from 58 countries – more than double last year’s total – and still a month to go before the deadline, participation is expected to rise even further. Remarkably, over 60% of current applications come from Africa, with Ghana leading the way, followed by Kenya, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
This growth is largely driven by the dedicated efforts of 23 OceanLove Ambassadors across Africa, who are mobilising their communities to contribute creative, practical, and transformative solutions. The ambassadors, representing countries from Egypt, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Sudan, Namibia, Liberia, Madagascar, Togo, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Mozambique and Comoros. They have diversified backgrounds, but they are uniting behind a common vision: empowering African innovators to shape the future of ocean conservation.
This diverse group of ambassadors is guided by Charles Sylvanus Boye from Sierra Leone, whose leadership and passion have been instrumental in shaping their collective mission.
As Charles aptly puts it: “The ocean binds our continent to the world. If we fail to protect it, we weaken Africa’s place in the global future. I am proud to lead our young minds in the Global South and inspire them to promote the OceanLove Innovation Award 2025.”
OceanLove Ghana Ambassador, Peter Teye Busumprah, reflected on the momentum: “Participating in the UN Ocean Conference and engaging with the University of Ghana’s Marine and Fisheries Outreach has been truly inspiring. These experiences reinforced my belief that we protect what we love. The OceanLove Innovation Award is a vital beacon, encouraging innovative solutions to safeguard our oceans. As Ghana’s Ambassador, I am proud to champion this initiative, knowing that our shared passion and commitment can drive meaningful change for marine ecosystems.”
In Cameroon, Ewube Kelly Laure Egbe emphasised the importance of youth engagement: “Hosting OceanLove Innovation Award activities at the University of Buea, schools in Buea and Limbe, and on CBS Radio was an incredible opportunity to connect with passionate students, young changemakers, and coastal communities. Their commitment to ocean conservation reaffirms the urgent need to invest in youth-led innovation across Africa. The Award is not just a prize – it is a platform that nurtures bold ideas, elevates community-based solutions, and empowers the next generation of ocean champions.”
Nigeria’s Anthony Akpan highlighted the award’s global mission: “The OceanLove Innovation Award is designed to advance Challenge 10 of the UN Ocean Decade by highlighting the ocean’s vital role in human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to address barriers to behavior change and foster a transformative shift in humanity’s relationship with the ocean.”
Ilco van der Linde, Founder of OceanLove, emphasized why Africa and the Global South are central to the mission: “Within the next two years, the OceanLove Innovation Award will become the world’s largest and most inclusive ocean-related innovation award. Unlike many other initiatives that primarily focus on highly educated participants from the West, our approach is different – we actively seek out bright minds in the Global South. These are the communities living daily with the realities of global warming, overfishing, and pollution, and many have already developed creative, practical solutions.
“Yet their ideas often go unseen due to limited internet access, weak infrastructure, and a lack of investment. Through our ambassadors, we are determined to identify and support these changemakers, inviting them one by one to share their innovations. While the Global South bears the brunt of these challenges, it also holds the potential to be the frontrunner of global change.”
The OceanLove Innovation Award is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and supported by legendary ocean advocate, her deepness, Dr. Sylvia Earle (89), who reminds us: “People need to participate as if their lives depend on it. Because it does!”
An esteemed panel of acclaimed scientists and activists rich with expertise from the NGO sector volunteered to sit on the panel of judges. Among them is Mohamed Kamal, a public health engineer and environmental activist, and the co-director of Greenish, a leading Egyptian NGO focused on environmental education, sustainability, and climate advocacy.
Also joining the panel is Saad Abid, a Moroccan environmentalist and founder of the Bahri Association, who won the 2024 OceanLove Innovation Award for his micro-waste collection tool “The Chbika.” Applications for the 2025 OceanLove Innovation Award remain open until the 30th of September. The award invites innovators worldwide to submit ideas for products, tools, campaigns, or initiatives that can measurably contribute to the protection of oceans, seas, and marine ecosystems.