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Partners & Sponsors

The blue economy for Africa is within reach, thanks to the support of like-minded individuals and organisations.

Primary Sponsor

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The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Norwegian government has committed to taking the lead in driving ocean sustainability, investing billions in the blue economy around the world. Norway has been an invaluable support to SST, enabling us to achieve many of our goals and continue on our mission.

Partners

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WIOMSA

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) focuses on the educational, scientific, and technological development of all marine science aspects throughout the Western Indian Ocean region. Its primary goal is the sustainable conservation of marine resources.

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Petco

Petco plays a leading role in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for valuable recyclables like PET plastic in South Africa. It has been a source of both financial and knowledge-based support to SST, especially regarding the packaging value chain and the recycling industry and economy.

logo The Abidjan Convention

The Abidjan Convention

The Abidjan Convention is an environmental treaty established in 1981 under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), focusing on the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment in the West African region.

logo The Nairobi Convention

The Nairobi Convention

The Nairobi Convention is a regional treaty established under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and adopted in 1985 to address the protection, management, and development of the marine and coastal environment in the Western Indian Ocean region.

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Norwegian University of Science and Technology

NTNU is a multidisciplinary university with a robust profile in science and technology. It collaborates with other research institutes, businesses, and industries, focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship. NTNU is intimately involved in SST's microplastic-related pollutants project and is a partner with SST on the South African-Norwegian (SANO) Interns for Sustainability programme.

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Nelson Mandela University

NMU, situated in SST's home city of Gqeberha in Nelson Mandela Bay, was established in 1964 (originally named the University of Port Elizabeth) and was the first dual-medium residential university in South Africa. It is the only higher education institution in the world to bear the name of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and is the most diverse university in South Africa.

SST partner BCSS

Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies

BCSS is an innovative platform hosting the first permanent Ocean Observatory focused on multi-ecosystem time series research in Africa. We aim to use our strategic location and data to support environmental management at a local level, facilitate regional collaboration, and contribute to international scientific programs.

Sponsors

Corporate sponsors play an integral role in supporting the work that we do. By partnering with SST through sponsoring specific projects, your business can contribute to the sustainable utilisation and conservation of our oceans in the fields of environmental restoration, enterprise development, education and community initiatives.
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We adhere to regulations

SST is a registered international charitable trust (IT 2203/2006), Public Benefit Organisation (PBO No: 930022444), and Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO No: 078-120-NPO). We operate exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational, socio-economic, and philanthropic purposes and are administered by CA Trust Company.

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We are financially responsible

An external accounting firm assists with financial management, serving as an additional external governance check. We also have robust internal financial management policies and procedures, as well as a budget tracking tool that aligns with the external accountant firm’s reports and processes.

Partner with us for Africa’s seas

Join us in fostering flourishing seas and coastal communities in Africa by becoming a sponsor or partner.

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This category includes various tiers of governance responsible for policymaking, implementation, and oversight. It comprises:

  • National government, which governs at the highest level of a state,
  • Provincial/Regional authorities that manage sub-national jurisdictions,
  • Local municipalities with elected community representatives for a specific country or district, and
  • Government agencies or institutions, such as environmental departments or authorities, that implement mandates in specific sectors or fields of study.

These are entities formed through collaboration between multiple countries or states to address regional or international concerns. These include:

  • International multilateral organisations created by treaties between two or more nations working towards issues of common interest
  • Regional Economic Bodies that facilitate economic integration in specific African regions,
  • River Basin Commissions managing shared water resources, and
  • Regional Conventions, which are legally binding agreements among states in a region to promote and help localised international standards.

This category includes institutions and academic bodies that generate scientific knowledge and conduct studies related to marine, environmental, or plastic pollution issues. It includes:

  • Research institutes, which are to establish to conduct research
  • Universities, which combine education and academic research at an advanced level.

This category encompasses learning institutions and youth-focused networks that promote environmental awareness and leadership. It includes:

  • Schools for formal education of children
  • Youth networks that represent young people between the ages of 7 and 35, and
  • Youth groups, communities and associations which are informal or formal and focused on empowering youth.

Civil society includes non-state, nonprofit groups active in advocacy, service delivery, or community development. Subcategories include:

  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating independently from government,
  • Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) committed to specific social or environmental causes,
  • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) embedded in and serving local communities or significant segments,
  • Charity Groups focusing on philanthropy and social well-being, and
  • Facilitation Agencies that coordinate or distribute services among approved charitable, non-profit making preferred sources.

This sector represents the structured business actors in the plastic value chain, from production to retail. It includes:

  • Importers (such as a country, business or person) buy raw materials or products from another country for use in their own country.
  • Raw material producers provide materials for converters and manufacturers and can include virgin or recycled materials.
  • Converters blending materials (virgin or recyclate) and additives into formulated feedstock.
  • Brand owners who are the owners of a product or service, and retailers, such as FMCG companies that distribute goods.

These are organised and legally recognised entities involved in the collection, processing, and sorting of waste. Types include:

  • Waste logistics companies responsible for transporting and collecting waste and material recovery facilities,
  • Waste processors/recyclers are large scale entities that process waste into secondary raw materials or products,
  • Buy-back centres where recyclables are exchanged for money, and
  • Drop-off sites where recyclables are deposited for disposal or further processing.

This category consists of non-formalised individuals or groups engaged in waste collection and recycling, often for income. It includes:

  • Waste pickers, who collect reusable and recyclable materials independently to either sell on or use for personal consumption,
  • Cooperatives, collectively run collection operation,
  • Informal sector associations that support and represent the informal sector.

This category includes collaborative platforms and representative bodies that promote sector-wide coordination. It consists of:

  • FMCG associations working with brand owners and retailers in circularity,
  • Plastic industry associations represent the entire value chain of plastics, regionally or nationally to drive innovation, technology, and policy,
  • Pacts and networks foster joint commitments and agreements through group or connected systems,
  • Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) are collecting entities set up by the obliged companies or legislation, responsible for waste-related obligations of the obliged companies and assisting with managing collective waste obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws.

This category includes organisations and groups that actively work to protect natural ecosystems and biodiversity, both on land and at sea. It encompasses:

  • Environmental organizations/groups that seek to protect, analyse or monitor the environment against misuse or degradation from human forces,
  • Nature reserves are tract of land managed for the preservation of its flora, fauna and physical features,
  • Marine conservation organizations focusing on ocean ecosystems, and
  • Clean-up groups engaging in direct action to clean up the environment.

This category refers to entities specializing in the manufacturing, filling and selling bottles containing products such as water, beverages, and cleaning agents for commercial distribution. Bottlers are typically part of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry and play a significant role in the packaging value chain. They may:

  • Work independently or be linked to brand owners,
  • Rely on imported or locally produced containers,
  • Have obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to manage their post-consumer waste.

This category includes designated locations where waste is deposited, buried, or left in open land. These sights are typically government owned and operated. It consists of:

  • Formal landfill sites, which are engineered and monitored for environmental compliance,
  • These sites are critical points in the waste management system, affecting land use, pollution levels, and the recovery potential of materials,
  • They are often connected to both the formal waste sector (e.g., municipal services) and informal waste collectors who retrieve recyclables from them.