African tech start-ups focusing on climate tech, agritech, the green economy, and related sectors are being called to seize an opportunity to pitch their innovations at the upcoming AfricArena Nairobi Summit. The summit, part of Africa Climate Tech Week, will take place from Sunday, 1 to Wednesday, 4 September in Nairobi, Kenya.
AfricArena, in collaboration with partners including AWS Startups, Silicon Overdrive, and GIZ SAIS, has announced that more than 30 start-ups will be selected to pitch their ventures to over 100 investors.
These investors range from angel investors to corporate venture capital funds and institutional backers. The summit aims to connect high-potential start-ups with the resources and networks they need to scale their solutions across Africa and beyond.
The event will feature discussions led by experts in fields such as renewable energy, sustainable materials, and the circular economy. The goal, says the organisers, is to provide start-ups with insights and connections that could prove crucial in securing pre-seed, seed, and growth funding.
Agritech’s role in Africa’s climate fight
Ivor Price, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Food For Mzansi Group, emphasised the significance of the growing agritech sector on the continent.
He said, “Climate tech start-ups are not just businesses; they are critical players in the fight against climate change, especially in Africa, where the impacts are felt most acutely. The rise of these start-ups represents a new wave of innovation that is not only addressing local challenges but also positioning Africa as a leader in the global green economy.”
Price is set to moderate a high-level Africa Climate Tech Week panel discussion focused on future farming: integrating climate-resilient crops with smart technology.
The panel will include Abze founder Martha Haile, Diligence Africa co-founder and partner Damilola Thompson, Pepea Capital managing partner Philip Odino, and Hangyul Lee-Song, data lead at Briter Bridges.
This summit is part of a broader initiative by AfricArena, which is hosting a series of regional events across the continent throughout 2024. These events are aimed at fostering innovation and investment in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Start-ups interested in participating are encouraged to apply via AfricArena’s website. Those selected will have the chance to pitch in front of key industry players and potentially secure the investment needed to grow their ventures.
The AfricArena tour includes an upcoming pit-stop in Tunis in October, building up to the annual AfricArena Summit in Cape Town. Super early-bird tickets are currently available for the Nairobi summit, offering attendees a 40% discount.
READ NEXT: Mzansi’s Mogale makes top 24 in GoGettaz agripreneur contest
