Kenya to host innovation platform for African startups at Africa Forward Summit

Organised by the French-African Foundation in partnership with Concerto and Nuvision, Nova Garage is being held under the patronage of President  William Ruto.

The initiative will bring together a curated group of emerging startup founders, alongside investors, corporate leaders and policymakers, creating a platform for showcasing African-built solutions and fostering high-level connections.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Dr Korir Sing’Oei, underscored the importance of supporting the continent’s builders.

“We have spent decades speaking for Africa’s future. Perhaps it is time we made room for those who are actually building it.”

At the heart of the programme is a cohort of 15 entrepreneurs under the age of 35, selected from across the continent through a competitive process. These innovators will have the opportunity to present their ventures to an international audience and demonstrate solutions addressing challenges in key sectors including energy, agriculture, mobility and finance.

The platform is designed to provide visibility to startups that have moved beyond the idea stage, with participants expected to showcase functional products or prototypes and clearly defined business models.

In addition to exposure, selected entrepreneurs stand to benefit from direct engagement with investors and industry leaders attending the summit, positioning them for partnerships, scaling opportunities and potential investment.

Hosted in Nairobi, the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between African innovators and international stakeholders, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

Through its alignment with the Autonomous Advancement Initiative, the platform seeks to support African participation in shaping the future of global technology systems, while fostering cooperation between African countries and partners from abroad.

Beyond the summit, organisers say Nova Garage is intended to evolve into a sustained platform that supports African entrepreneurship through continued networking, visibility and collaboration opportunities.

Applications for the inaugural cohort are open to founders and social entrepreneurs from across Africa, with successful applicants set to pitch their innovations during the Nairobi summit in May.