KelTex, a venture founded by Laetus Buberwa and Emeliana Said, has been selected among the Top 20 global finalists for the 2026 Global Change Award, a leading sustainability competition in the fashion industry, organised by the H&M Foundation.

The company is developing biodegradable bio-leather made from seaweed grown along the coast of Tanzania. This material could offer a sustainable substitute for fossil-based synthetic leather and animal hides, both of which require large amounts of resources.

KelTex transforms marine biopolymers from seaweed into flexible sheet materials that resemble textiles. The process does not require land, freshwater, or fossil-based raw materials, which are among the most resource-heavy inputs used by the fashion industry.

In addition to developing new materials, the project also uses artificial intelligence-based sensors to monitor and improve seaweed farming conditions. This helps increase productivity while also supporting the income and livelihoods of local coastal communities