Thriving global innovation can boost Africa’s blue foods future (Part 2) FIGURE 6 Technology Business model Product Innovation archetype:Innovation topicsBlue foods value chain Supply chain Circularity/Waste 1. End-to-end traceability & compliance platforms Digital and physical systems that verify product origin, legality and handling integrity — addressing IUU, fraud and market access barriers (e.g. blockchain traceability, QR-backed certification, satellite scoring).1. By-product & co-product valorization Turning fish trimmings, skins, shells and offcuts into high-value outputs, such as protein, collagen, oil or biomaterials (e.g. insect bioconversion, collagen recovery, chitosan from shells). 2. Cold chain optimization & resilience Solutions that extend shelf life and prevent spoilage through improved preservation methods, smarter monitoring and adaptive temperature control (e.g. supercooling, HPP ,1 IoT reefer tracking, smart oxygen pallets).2. Circular packaging & low-waste alternatives Replacing fossil-derived or single-use materials with compostable, reusable or bio-based options that reduce pollution and lifecycle emissions (e.g. seaweed-lined takeaway boxes, reusable crates). 3. Logistics coordination & embedded services Digital and service-layer innovations that streamline B2B delivery, optimize routes and embed financial/logistics tools into cold chain movement (e.g. control tower platforms, bundled freight & credit models).3. Circular feed & nutrient recycling systems Developing closed-loop systems that convert waste streams, such as nutrient-rich effluent, into productive inputs like feed, reducing losses and external input reliance (e.g. on-farm insect farming, IMTA,2 algal bioreactors). 4. Micro-distribution & aggregation infrastructure Affordable storage, grading and aggregation hubs that extend cold chain and market access to smallholder producers in remote regions (e.g. solar micro-cold rooms, mobile QA stations, rural aggregation points).4. Gear recovery & marine plastics circularity Preventing and recovering ghost gear while repurposing waste plastics into usable materials (e.g. biodegradable nets, smart gear tags, ghost net-to-textile loops). Notes: 1. HPP = high-pressure processing. 2. IMTA = integrated multitrophic aquaculture. Source: BCG analysis. Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact 17

Investing in Blue Foods 2026