By Faridat Salifu
Togo will in October host BlueInvest Africa 2025, a continental forum aimed at mobilising finance and innovation for the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources.
The two-day event, scheduled for October 15–16 in Lomé, is expected to draw entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and investors from across Africa and beyond. The gathering will spotlight opportunities in sectors tied to the blue economy, including sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, renewable marine energy and ocean waste reduction.
Organisers explained that the platform will give start-ups and established businesses the chance to pitch their ideas directly to financiers, with the goal of securing investments that can accelerate projects. The focus, they said, is not only on expanding economic activities but also on ensuring that ocean and coastal resources are managed in ways that guarantee long-term environmental sustainability.
The forum is supported by the European Union, which has been working with African partners to deepen collaboration on ocean governance, climate resilience and job creation. EU officials noted that by linking African innovators to international investors, the event is designed to help transform ideas developed on the continent into viable businesses that can scale globally.
This will be the first time Togo is hosting the BlueInvest Africa forum. Authorities in Lomé said the decision underscores the country’s growing role as a regional hub for maritime activities. In recent years, the Togolese government has invested heavily in modernising port infrastructure, strengthening fisheries management systems and advancing coastal conservation efforts. Hosting the forum, they added, will provide an opportunity to showcase these initiatives while reinforcing Togo’s commitment to balancing economic growth with the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Previous editions of BlueInvest Africa have produced tangible results, including new policy pledges and investment commitments for ocean-related projects. Organisers said they expect the 2025 edition to build on that momentum by mobilising even greater levels of finance and technical support for Africa’s blue economy.
Observers say the significance of the forum goes beyond the event itself. The blue economy is increasingly being recognised as one of Africa’s untapped engines of growth, with the potential to generate billions of dollars in revenue and create millions of jobs. For countries like Togo, it offers an avenue to diversify their economies while addressing pressing challenges such as unemployment and climate change.
Analysts also note that the forum will help African nations close the gap between potential and practice in maritime development. While other regions have successfully leveraged ocean resources for trade, food security and energy, Africa has often lagged due to weak financing, policy gaps and underdeveloped infrastructure. By connecting innovators with investors and encouraging stronger partnerships, BlueInvest Africa 2025 is seen as a chance to shift that narrative.
For Togo, the event carries added importance as it positions itself more firmly in the maritime economy of West Africa. Officials believe the visibility and partnerships emerging from the forum will further consolidate the country’s ambition to serve as a gateway for blue economy investments in the region.
