KPMG’s 2025 venture summit champions homegrown innovation and investment readiness

The summit served as a vital platform for discussing the future of the African funding ecosystem and forging strategic connections to power the next wave of business growth across the continent.

Benson Ndung’u, CEO of KPMG East Africa, set the tone by urging delegates to seize “Africa’s moment.” With the continent’s population projected to drive global growth by 2050, he emphasised the need to build scalable, globally competitive African brands. “We must engage the world from a position of strength and not from instructions. Africa must not only survive but thrive,” he stated.

Ndung’u emphasised the critical role of technology and innovation, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), in shaping the workforce and solutions fit for Africa but scalable globally. “Let’s future-proof our processes. For venture capitalists and fund holders, let’s tailor solutions that are fit for Africa but scalable globally,” he said

Sandeep Main, Tax Partner and Head of Private Enterprise at KPMG Africa, reiterated the summit’s mission to strengthen the ecosystem between investees and investors. “There are so many great businesses out there, and our job is to bring them to the table,” Main explained. 

He highlighted the need for startups to focus not only on scaling but also on strengthening their compliance and governance structures to attract long-term investment.

KPMG’s mentorship programs were recognised as pivotal in helping startups understand investor expectations, ensuring they’re not only innovative but also investment-ready.

MaryAnn Wambui Musangi, Managing Director of HACO Industries and Chair of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (Women in Manufacturing), underlined the importance of networking, mentorship, and targeted support for women entrepreneurs. She debunked the myth that African startups are failing prematurely, calling it “unfair.”

“Startups face different challenges—access to markets, financing, upskilling—but there are many organisations ready to support them. We must seek them out,” she advised. Musangi also stressed the need for policy alignment and daily engagement with the government, especially in light of the upcoming 2025/2026 Finance Bill, to create a more enabling environment for business growth.

The summit ended on a high note, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of urgency and optimism. "Africa should be secure, but we need to seize the moment ourselves,” Ndung'u noted.