Jailton Pereira has emerged as the winner of the inaugural National Online Incubation Programme for Blue Economy Projects (IDEA APP CV) with his groundbreaking Plant'Agu project. The programme operates within the framework of "Connecting Blue Economy Actors: generating employment, improving livelihoods and mobilising resources".
Pereira's innovative business concept offers the market an organic fertiliser that provides significant environmental benefits, particularly to aquatic and marine ecosystems, which are extremely sensitive to contaminants from agricultural activities. Plant'Agu's fertiliser also helps retain up to 20% more water in soil—a crucial advantage in Cabo Verde's arid climate.
“The IDEA APP CV has been rewarding, productive, and enriching. I now feel more confident in approaching financial institutions and presenting the viability and financial projections of my business. The programme helped me structure my business idea, from expenses to penetration strategy and market sustainability, as well as demonstrating its viability. It also gave me visibility and the opportunity to network with key players in the Cabo Verdean economy”, highlighted Jailton Pereira.
The product boasts multiple benefits beyond water conservation: it effectively combats pests while reducing dependence on harmful pesticides, simultaneously improving soil quality and boosting agricultural productivity in both traditional and agroecological farming.
Caption: Jailton Pereira, winner of the IDEA APP CV programme, showcases his groundbreaking product, Plant’Agu—an eco-friendly fertiliser set to transform agriculture and water conservation in Cabo Verde. Photo: UN Cabo Verde
Like many young entrepreneurs in Cabo Verde, Pereira identifies financing as his greatest challenge, particularly in the Blue Economy sector.
"The Blue Economy is relatively new in Cabo Verde, which may apparently represent a greater risk to investors and financial institutions," he explains.
However, the skills acquired through the programme have bolstered his confidence. "With the IDEA APP tool, I feel more confident in approaching financial institutions and presenting the viability and financial projection of my business," Pereira states. "It is very important to be able to count on some government institutions, namely the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and INIDA, the Ministry of the Sea and the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, because I will need to obtain a space and a licence to produce and sell fertilisers."
The IDEA APP CV programme supports the incubation of businesses or business ideas from young people and women in the blue economy sector. Developed by UNIDO in partnership with Bridge for Billions (B4B), it aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture in Cabo Verde while facilitating integration into the formal economy.
Over a five-month period, the programme helped promote and develop Blue Economy projects nationwide. Young entrepreneurs enhanced their skills with support from international mentors, particularly from Portuguese-speaking African countries. From 28 entrepreneurs with successfully incubated business plans, 10 finalists were selected to pitch their ideas.
Pereira, who currently resides abroad, brings valuable experience in project management, entrepreneurship, and property rental to his venture.
The joint programme "Connecting Blue Economy Actors" is supported by the Joint SDG Fund, under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO), implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Government of Cabo Verde.
Originally posted by UN Cabo Verde.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
