Matching Grants Facility for Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa

Expired International · Found: 2026-03-11 10:50

Grants for businesses advancing circular economy solutions in plastic packaging and e-waste value chains in East and Southern Africa.

Source: https://premium.fundsforngos.org/business-industry/120k-to-tackle-plastic-waste-in-africa

Funding Details

Funder

OceanHub Africa and The Coca-Cola Foundation

Funding Goal

Accelerate scalable, science-driven plastic circularity innovations in Africa that move beyond concept stage into commercially viable solutions with measurable environmental impact

Funding Amount

USD 120,000 total pool across selected innovators; individual award amounts not specified (up to 120.000 €)

Deadline

2026-02-15 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Submit application via OceanHub Africa platform. Selected participants receive funding, technical support, mentorship, and access to market networks through OceanHub Africa venture builder framework.

Target Region

Pan-African; coastal and urban communities across Africa

Contact

OceanHub Africa — contact via oceanhub.africa; The Coca-Cola Foundation — foundation.coca-cola.com

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:24

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Open to scientists, innovators, and startups
• Ideas must be scalable beyond concept stage to commercial viability

Project Scope

• Solution must target plastic waste management in Africa
• Must demonstrate potential to recycle at least 490 tonnes of plastic waste
• Must show potential to create at least 150 sustainable livelihoods

Constraints

• 2026 deadline has passed (approx. February 15 2026) — monitor for 2027 round

Summary

The Call for Bold Ideas in Plastic Circularity is a USD 120,000 pan-African initiative co-funded by OceanHub Africa and The Coca-Cola Foundation. Launched in early 2026, the programme invites scientists, innovators, and startups across Africa to develop and submit scalable ideas for addressing plastic waste management challenges. The initiative is designed to accelerate solutions that can transition from concept stage to commercially viable operations with measurable environmental and social impact. The programme focuses specifically on coastal and urban communities across Africa, which face acute plastic pollution challenges. Selected innovations are expected to demonstrate the capacity to recycle at least 490 tonnes of plastic waste and to create over 150 sustainable livelihoods, linking environmental sustainability with economic inclusion. OceanHub Africa operates as a venture builder and impact accelerator for ocean-related enterprises. Through this partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation, the programme provides not only financial support but also technical assistance, mentorship, and access to market networks within OceanHub Africa ecosystem. This holistic support structure aims to equip selected innovators with the tools needed to scale their plastic circularity solutions across the continent. Eligible applicants include scientists, innovators, startups, and social enterprises working on plastic waste interventions in Africa. The programme is thematically aligned with Africa growing plastic pollution crisis, which is projected to generate over 200 million tonnes of plastic waste annually by 2030 without significant intervention. Applications were accepted in early 2026, with the programme targeting implementation across coastal and urban African geographies.

Historical Context

The 2026 round was the first edition of this specific Plastic Circularity challenge by OceanHub Africa and Coca-Cola Foundation. The 2026 call closed approximately February 15, 2026. A 2027 round is anticipated in Q4 2026.

Why it was added

Africa plastic recycling social enterprise funding

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