The anticipation is building as Nairobi – the home of East Africa’s leading start-up ecosystem, gears up to host the 2023 AfricArena summit in Kenya. The seventh live edition of the ground-breaking technology event promises to be a fusion of digital and in-person experiences, setting the stage for an unparalleled showcase of the continent’s finest start-ups and innovators.
AfricArena has established itself as a pioneering platform that bridges the gap between African tech brilliance and global investment opportunities. With a long-standing track record of fostering connections, driving innovation, and facilitating multi-million-dollar impacts, the event series has gained momentum since its inception in 2017.
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Organisers tell Ventureburn the journey began with a vision to promote African tech excellence and has now evolved into a tour that spans five regions of the continent, culminating in the much-anticipated summit.
Turbo-charging African start-ups
From Wednesday, 6 and Thursday, 7 September 2023, the AfricArena Nairobi Summit will bring together an impressive line-up of local and international tech start-ups, corporate leaders, and investors.
This dynamic convergence aims to catalyse growth-stage start-ups, providing them with an unprecedented opportunity to connect with potential investors, explore new market access, and forge strategic partnerships.
With previous editions attracting over 700 attendees, featuring 60 speakers, and witnessing over 5 million US dollars’ worth of transformative impact, the 2023 edition of AfricArena’s Nairobi summit promises to be a landmark event. The hybrid format, blending physical presence and digital engagement, reflects the evolving nature of the tech industry and its global connections.
“We are optimistic that a pan-African collaborative approach, leveraging and sharing innovations across hubs in Africa, will continue to create an environment that changes our world for the better,” states a representative from AfricArena. The summit’s overarching mission is to accelerate the growth of African tech start-ups and ecosystems, positioning the continent as a hub of innovation and progress.
Speaker A-list at Nairobi summit
Among the confirmed speakers are Nadia Seemuth, managing partner at Jambaar Capital, and Matsi Modise, CEO and founder of Furaha Afrika Holdings. These luminaries bring their wealth of experience to the table, offering insights that are expected to shed light on the latest trends and dynamics in African tech investment and entrepreneurship.
Sebastian Rogers, Africa regional head for Lendable, and Benjamin Rombaut, co-founder of Sand to Green, are set to share their perspectives on ground-breaking fintech and sustainable tech solutions. The summit will also welcome Vladimir Dugin, senior partner at E3 Capital, who is poised to bring a global viewpoint on investment strategies.
Representing a diverse spectrum of expertise, Claire Nyambori-Diphoorn, technical assistance officer: programmes for the Dutch Entrepreneurial Bank (FMO), will offer insights into development initiatives. Robyn McGuckin, director of partnerships for P4G at the World Resources Institute, will contribute insights into sustainability and building fruitful partnerships.
Joshua Romisher, CEO of Holocene Ventures, brings a visionary perspective to the summit, and Audrey Mate, programme manager at Village Capital, is set to discuss supporting and scaling start-ups. David Saunders, director of strategy and growth at Briter Bridges, is expected to provide valuable insights into tech strategy and growth trends.
Napa Onwusah, start-up leader for Sub-Saharan Africa at AWS Startups, will likely delve into the realms of cloud computing and its potential impact on African innovation. Meanwhile, Mariana Osório de Castro, investment associate at Edge Growth, is expected to contribute her insights into investment strategies and business growth.
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