Sote Hub

21/08/2026

🌊 Meet the innovators shaping the future of the Blue Economy

Behind every bold idea is an entrepreneur willing to take on challenges, test new solutions, and create opportunities.

Through the Elevate Blue program, we’re proud to spotlight the entrepreneurs building businesses in tourism and aquaculture value chains at the intersection of the Blue Economy, innovation, and marine litter solutions.

Elevate Blue is a 3-year entrepreneurial support programme designed as an end-to-end activation and stimulation platform for innovation, business growth, access to finance, and market opportunities for businesses working in the Blue Economy and Marine Litter.

Funded through the kind support of Norad and implemented by MTI Investment and Sote Hub, the programme is helping entrepreneurs move their ideas and businesses forward one opportunity at a time.

Today, we’re celebrating the people behind these businesses: their ideas, their ambition, and their commitment to creating a more sustainable blue future.

12/08/2026

More collaborations 🚀🚀

Last week, Sote Hub continued with more partnership engagements, meeting our dear partners MTI Investment, Equity Bank, VSO, Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), and Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) Pwani Region.

The focus is to strengthen our collaboration on shared values and vision of empowering entrepreneurs and accelerating sustainable economic growth in Tanzania and in the region.

Our discussions focused on unlocking more opportunities for small and growing businesses through improved access to finance, entrepreneurship pathways, product standardisation and certification, investments, and Blue Economy innovation.

We are excited to turn these conversations into meaningful partnerships that will create lasting impact for youth-led businesses, communities, and the future of entrepreneurship in Tanzania.

07/08/2026

Turning Waste into Work: Phase II Begins! ♻️

Today, Sote Hub convened an inception meeting to officially kick off Phase II of the Waste to Work Project, bringing together key partners, county representatives, and participating SMEs committed to advancing Mombasa's circular economy.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders including Basil Anganga and Margaret Mwashi from Mombasa County Government, Valentine Maina of VSO, Nadhifa Jama (Kenya Red Cross Society- IOMe Hub, Mwanasiti Muhammad of Ziya, Salim of Bottle Logistics EA and several Green Entrepreneurs who are part of the cohort including Alliance Waste Managers and Toptop SHG. Stakeholders were introduced to phase II of the project and the opportunities it presents for enterprise growth and sustainable impact.

Supported by the IKEA Foundation and implemented by VSO in partnership with Sote Hub, Somo Africa, SBC and M-Taka, the project will empower 90 enterprises through:
🔹 Readiness Bootcamps and Nurture Training, including mentorship, coaching, and business development support.
🔹 Market access opportunities through buyer engagements, networking forums, and offtake agreements.
🔹 Investment readiness support and linkages to financial institutions and investors.
🔹 Industry exposure visits and ecosystem networking opportunities.
🔹 Enterprise growth, job creation, and the advancement of Mombasa's circular economy.

This marks another important milestone in strengthening waste enterprises, creating green jobs, and building a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Learn more about The Waste To Work Program on www.sotehub.com

07/08/2026

Last week, we stood proudly beside SeaBlue Innovators Co. Ltd, led by Farhiya Elmy one of the winners of the Bahari Innovation Challenge, as they officially launched SEA-FARMERS a community-led restorative aquaculture model implemented in partnership with Aqua Guardians.

This is more than a project. It is a living ocean system that integrates seaweed cultivation, coral reef restoration, and value-added production, rebuilding ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

Tanzania’s seaweed sector holds immense potential, yet many farmers still face the limits of traditional nearshore harvests. SEA-FARMERS offers a thoughtful response: floating inshore cultivation systems, coral nurseries, healthier marine environments, and more resilient income opportunities with particular attention to women who form the backbone of the industry.

Sote Hub mission was led by our Director David Ogiga, together with Head of Innovation Kenneth Njiahia and Community Manager Efron Malima.

The Bahari Innovation Challenge is implemented by Sote Hub in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Tanzania ProsperBlue Project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

04/08/2026

Empowering communities requires creating opportunities that improve both livelihoods and education.

This initiative is implemented by Sote Hub with support from People in Peril Slovakia. We are supporting women farmers and school-going children by addressing two critical pillars of community development.

The initiative is providing shade nets to women farmer groups, enabling them to adopt climate-smart farming practices, increase agricultural productivity, and improve household incomes. We are also distributing learning materials to local schools, equipping pupils with essential educational resources to enhance their learning experience and foster academic success.

By investing in sustainable agriculture and education, Sote Hub is strengthening community resilience, empowering women, nurturing the next generation, and contributing to long-term social and economic development in Kwale County.

25/07/2026

🐟 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 2026 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐲𝐨

Yesterday marked a colorful launch of , bringing together the Government of Tanzania, the European Union, GIZ, the private sector, entrepreneurs, and coastal communities to celebrate and advance the country’s .

The launch was honored by
🔹Chief Guest, Hon. (CPA) Subira Mgalu, Member of Parliament for Bagamoyo Constituency
🔹Hon. Shaibu Ndemanga, District Commissioner of Bagamoyo
🔹Lamine Diallo, Head of Sector for Natural Resources, European Union delegation, Tanzania
🔹Daniel Gonzalez Levassor- Natural Resources Management Section, Delegation of the European Union to the United Republic of Tanzania and the East African Community

Bagamoyo was once a thriving port city, and in the 18th century, served as the first administrative capital of German East Africa before the centre of power shifted to Dar es Salaam. Remnants like the Old German Boma still stand today. It was equally an explorer Gateway with famous European explorers like David Livingstone, Richard Burton, and Henry Morton Stanley.

The spirit of the Samaki festival is to reawaken the tourism and blue economic potential while aligning with long term Tanzania government economic growth strategy along the Coastline of Dar-esaalam, Pwani, Bagamoyo, Kilwa, Lindi, Mtwara and Zanzibar stone town.

23/07/2026

Everything you need to know about the Samaki Festival 2026

From exciting exhibitions and business networking opportunities to cultural experiences, tourism showcases, and Blue Economy innovations, the Samaki Festival promises an unforgettable celebration of Tanzania's coastal heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, development partner, tourism enthusiast, or simply passionate about the Blue Economy, we give you a glimpse of what to expect at Old Boma, Bagamoyo, from 24–25 July 2026. Join over 2,000 participants and 80+ exhibitors for two days of innovation, networking, learning, and celebration.

We are proud to support this initiative organized by Samaki Promotion, one of the enterprises supported through the Bahari Innovation Challenge, implemented by Sote Hub in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, supported by GIZ Programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

See you in Bagamoyo!

20/07/2026

Sote Hub is excited to be part of the Samaki Festival 2026, taking place in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, from 22nd–25th July. 🌊🐟

More than a celebration of fisheries, the Samaki Festival is a vibrant platform showcasing the opportunities within Tanzania's Blue Economy, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, development partners, tourism stakeholders, and coastal communities. Through exhibitions, networking, cultural experiences, and knowledge exchange, the festival highlights how sustainable fisheries, tourism, value addition, and innovation can create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, and drive inclusive economic growth.

We are proud to support this initiative organized by Samaki Promotion, one of the enterprises supported through the Bahari Innovation Challenge, funded by the European Union through the GIZ ProsperBlue Programme and implemented by Sote Hub. Their work demonstrates how local enterprises can champion sustainable fisheries, promote tourism, celebrate Swahili heritage, and create lasting impact within coastal communities.

We look forward to connecting, learning, and celebrating the innovators shaping the future of Tanzania's Blue Economy.

14/07/2026

Last week, Sote Hub participated in the close-out meeting of the Access to Green Finance Project, implemented with support from Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, where we shared the impact and lessons from our work supporting circular economy enterprises along Kenya's coast.

Over the past year, the project has supported green entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, unlock financing, create jobs, improve operational systems, and divert thousands of tonnes of plastic waste from the environment demonstrating that investing in green MSMEs delivers both economic and environmental returns.

Beyond celebrating results, the conversation focused on what comes next. Together with ecosystem partners, we explored practical actions to strengthen the circular economy through:
♻️ Better market access for waste entrepreneurs
🤝 Stronger collaboration between ecosystem actors
📈 Improved investor readiness and business formalization
📜 Policy working groups to address regulatory bottlenecks and accelerate sector growth

We are also encouraged by the launch of ANDE's revolving fund, managed by Circle Innovation, which will provide zero-interest financing to project alumni and help promising green enterprises continue scaling their impact.

A thriving circular economy will require sustained collaboration, innovative financing, and enabling policies and we are proud to continue contributing to that journey

Learn more about the Access to Green Finance Project on www.sotehub.com

08/07/2026