France–Africa Summit | Nairobi | 11 May 2026
Nairobi:
The Innovation Capital of Africa
A flagship presidential initiative showcasing Africa's highest-growth ventures directly to H.E. President William Ruto, attending Heads of State, Global CEOs, and leading institutional investors.
Hosted by:
Strategic Partners
10
Founder Teams
350
Summit Attendees
...
Days To Summit
THE EVENT
Nova Garage Summit
11 May 2026 · Nairobi, Kenya
VISION
Deciding the next decade.
The objective is to identify the strategic partnerships and the technological tools necessary to advance the continent. The tools are the ventures presented in this room—built by Africa's youngest generation of operational founders.
By placing these builders directly where capital and policy are committed, we move past simple incubation. This agenda merges the ingenuity of youth with the authority of institutional investors and state leadership to solidify the infrastructure of Africa's future.
Why Kenya
Africa's innovation
capital
Kenya stands at the forefront of Africa's digital transformation. From the M-Pesa revolution that redefined financial inclusion globally, to a thriving ecosystem of AI and climate-tech startups, Nairobi has earned its reputation as the Silicon Savannah.
Forward-looking public policies and regulatory innovation have created an environment where technology companies can build, test, and scale — attracting growing venture capital and positioning Kenya as the regional gateway to East and Central Africa.
With a young, digitally native population and a government committed to technology-driven economic growth, Kenya is not just participating in the future of innovation — it is shaping it.
Kenya at a Glance
#1
Fintech Ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa
Gateway
Regional Gateway to East & Central Africa
400+
Active Tech Startups
Growing
VC & Investor Presence
Curation & Preparation
A rigorous, merit-based selection.
01
Identify
Traction & Impact
Strategic partners scout the continent for founders under 35 operating innovation-driven models. We focus exclusively on ventures with proven traction, real-world impact, and clear funding readiness.
02
Prepare
Positioning & Narrative
Selected innovators undergo structured preparation ahead of the event. We work to refine their narrative, sharpen their positioning, and ensure they are fully equipped to engage with senior institutional partners.
03
Convene
The Summit Room
15 curated innovators present Africa's most compelling ventures directly to attending Heads of State, International CEOs, and driving forces of venture capital and development finance.
Eligibility
Functionality
Demonstrable functionality through an operational system, working prototype, or verifiable demonstrator material.
Incorporation
Incorporated ventures, or ventures able to provide a clear capitalisation table identifying proposed shareholders and officers.
Country Eligibility
Open to founders from any African country, with priority given to applicants from states with confirmed representation at the France–Africa Summit 2026.
Verification
All applicants undergo KYC verification as part of the selection process.
Outcomes
For Founders
- — 10 vetted teams with refined products
- — 10 advancing teams with direct access to decision-makers
- — Seed capital and compliance support
For Partners
- — Early access to Africa's most promising AI & blockchain ventures
- — Co-investment positioning
- — Visibility within a high-profile Franco-African platform
For the Ecosystem
- — Pipeline from youth enterprise to institutional partnership
- — Cross-border collaboration grounded in technical exchange
- — Proof that young African builders belong at the table
Applications are open.
We're looking for Africa's strongest AI and blockchain builders. Founders with working systems. Teams ready for the summit.
Start Your Application →