Africa-Press – Seychelles. Yohan Gallet winner of the “Innov’Bleue – Indian Ocean” competition
Yohan Gallet from Mauritius, with his ‘Sealife Organics’ project ‒ algae-based fertilizers that transform seaweed (seaweed) into compost ‒ is the big winner of the “Innov’Bleue – Indian Ocean” competition.
This competition, which rewards the best companies and business projects in the region in the field of the blue economy, took place in parallel with the regional youth forum on entrepreneurship in the blue economy which took place from February 27 to March 3 in the Seychelles.
Mr. Gallet was one of the ten finalists out of the 20 shortlisted who presented their projects to a jury to try their luck at obtaining financial support of up to €5,000 to enable the development of their activities.
His company launched in 2020 already produces 10 to 15 tons of compost per month. The compost is intended for individuals, farmers, nurseries and supermarkets. A pilot by profession, Mr. Gallet had to reinvent himself following the Covid-19 pandemic, after he found himself without a job.
“In 2023 we will reach our objective which is 4.5 million rupees and we are thinking of using equipment that will be even more profitable,” said Mr. Gallet.
It was the Seychellois Minister of Youth, Sports and Family, Marie-Céline Zialor, who presented him with his trophy during a ceremony this Friday at the International Conference Center in Victoria.
In second place is the Réunionnais Pierre Tambouran with his Biofuel project, designed in 2018 and which uses frying oils to make biofuel.
Mauritian Lalita Purbhoo Junggee took third place with her “Recycle-moi” project, which manufactures biodegradable sanitary napkins made from bamboo fibre.
The three best projects will also benefit from wide media coverage provided by the partners of the event.
Note that two Seychellois – Mia Bonne and Andry Accouche – were among the ten finalists.
Miss Bonne wants to build tuna boats that run on solar energy (50 percent).
“Even though there are a lot of tuna fishing in our exclusive area, our country does not benefit directly from this sector. So, I designed this project to help the country get maximum benefit from this fishery,” Ms. Bonne said.
She said the financial support will help her complete the research “because I need help from the experts for the construction of the vessels and also the construction of a factory for the processing of tuna”.
For his part, Andry Accouche has developed a platform (mobile application), which is called Hyperware.
“On this platform, we will bring together ocean lovers who are today scattered over several networks. It will bring us closer,” Mr. Accouche said.
One hundred and four (104) young people from French-speaking countries of the Indian Ocean, namely Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Mayotte, Comoros and Madagascar participated in the forum attended by Ambassador Léonard Émile Ognimba, representative of the Organization Francophonie International (OIF) for the Indian Ocean.
The forum was held under the theme “Enterprising and committed youth for a blue future in the Indianoceania” and was organized by the International Organization of La Francophonie and Seychelles, a country considered to be a pioneer of the blue economy in Africa and the Indian Ocean.
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