African startups are set to gain a major platform for growth and visibility as Kenya prepares to host the debut of Nova Garage during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi this May.
The initiative, organised by the French-African Foundation in partnership with Concerto and Nuvision, will run under the patronage of President William Ruto, signalling strong government backing for innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.
Nova Garage aims to bring together a select group of emerging African startup founders alongside investors, corporate leaders and policymakers. The platform is designed to showcase homegrown solutions while creating opportunities for high-level networking and collaboration.
Speaking on its significance, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, emphasised the need to shift focus toward those actively building Africa’s future. He noted that the initiative represents a move from discussion to action by supporting innovators on the ground.
At the core of the programme is a cohort of 15 entrepreneurs under the age of 35, competitively selected from across Africa. These participants will present ventures that address pressing challenges in sectors such as energy, agriculture, mobility and finance. Only startups with functional products or clear business models will be featured, ensuring the platform highlights solutions ready for scaling.
Beyond exposure, Nova Garage offers direct engagement with investors and industry leaders attending the summit. This interaction is expected to open doors to partnerships, funding opportunities and business expansion.
The Nairobi-based event also seeks to strengthen ties between African innovators and global stakeholders, particularly in emerging areas like artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Through its alignment with the Autonomous Advancement Initiative, the platform is positioned to enhance Africa’s role in shaping global technology systems.
Organisers say Nova Garage is not intended to be a one-off event but rather the foundation of a long-term ecosystem supporting African entrepreneurship through sustained networking, collaboration and visibility.
Applications for the inaugural cohort are currently open, with selected founders set to pitch their innovations during the summit in May.
