JABEIC

The Jumuiya Agribusiness and Blue Economy Investment Conference (JABEIC) is an annual conference hosted by the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Secretariat (JKP) in collaboration with the six Kenyan Coast Counties. This annual event, now in its fourth year, highlights investment opportunities in the region.

JABEIC 2022 was held in Hola, Tana River County, from December 7th to 9th, 2022 under the overarching theme: Innovative investments in Blue Economy Urbanization & Regenerative Transformation. The participants had the first-hand experience of Kenya’s Blue Counties’ investment opportunities as well as the chance to enjoy the rich tourism, culture and heritage assets domiciled in the region.

As a lead up to the largest Blue Economy Investment event in Africa, GIZ contracted Sote Hub to organize the Blue Hack, an opportunity for Blue Economy innovators to showcase, exhibit and pitch to investors attending the conference including High level government delegations, private sector investors, development partners and public.

Categories for the Call for Ideas & Innovations

• Blue Economy Urbanization
• Regenerative Transformation
• Agribusiness

Application and Selection of top MSME’s for the Blue Hack

We had a call for ideas and innovations across the 6 counties of the coastal region. The call for startups deadline was on 29th November 2023. We had a total of 51 applicants across the 6 counties under 3 categories: on Blue Economy urbanization, regenerative transformation and agribusiness. The selection criteria was on businesses that fall under these 3 categories and also businesses that have a huge potential impact spread across the coastal region on the Blue Economy.

BlueHack JABEIC 2022 Top 10 Startups

1. Kuza Freezers
2. Tamu Chicks
3. Flemibriqs
4. Soko Greens
5. Seavive
6. Mpambe Organics
7. Jil Industries
8. Cwife Seafood
9. Airq
10. Smart Slate

The top 10 innovators from the Blue Hack had a chance to showcase their products to the attendees of the JABEIC 2022. Some of the MSME’s were able to sell some of their products to the stand visitors and also it became a chance for partnership and collaboration.

These innovators were each given a 3-minute chance to pitch their ideas in front of the judges, government and partners dignitaries, JABEIC attendees and also the Governor of Tana River, H.E Dhadho Godhana.

The top 3 startups were each awarded a cash prize of ksh 100000 by GIZ. There will be a follow-up on an upcoming acceleration program by Sote Hub to the top 10 startups and also those who applied during the call for startups.