Africa Tech Summit Nairobi: dates, who attends, and how founders get in
“Africa Tech Summit Nairobi is the continent’s leading tech and investment conference, connecting startups, corporates, investors, and regulators under one roof.”
- Next edition
- Feb 10–11, 2027 · Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2027 (9th edition) source
- Where
- Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya source
- Format
- in-person · 2 main conference days (2026); the 2027 edition also lists Founders Day on 2027-02-09.
- Startup pass
- $325 USD (Early Bird Startup Pass, 2027) source
- Cadence
- Annual, in February; the Nairobi edition has held its 8th edition in February 2026, with the 9th announced for February 2027.
FintechCrypto & web3AIClimateGeneralistPre-seedSeedGrowthFoundersInvestorsCorporatesPolicy & governmentPress
Next edition
| Dates | Feb 10–11, 2027 source |
|---|---|
| Edition | Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2027 (9th edition) |
| Venue | Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya source |
| Theme | Money & DeFi; AI & Digital; Climate Tech & Investment; Startup Summit (2027) |
| Timezone | Africa/Nairobi |
| Tickets | africatechsummit.com source |
Ticket tiers as published
| Tier | Price | Includes | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Startup Pass source | $325 USD | Access to all Summit Sessions (2027-02-10–2027-02-11), hands-on workshops, networking lunches and coffee breaks. | 2027 |
How founders get in
Explore African technology, startup and investment trends; learn from industry leaders; and connect with founders, investors, corporates and policymakers. The organiser describes the event as a place to build real partnerships, pursue investment and collaborate across four deep-dive tracks.
- For the 2027 edition, register online through the official ticket page. The published Early Bird Startup Pass costs $325 USD and is restricted to companies under three years old; it includes summit sessions, hands-on workshops, networking lunches and coffee breaks.
- Apply separately to the 2027 Investment Showcase through the organiser’s application page. Eligible ventures must be African-founded (at least one African co-founder) or headquartered in Africa, have a market product or revenue-generating service or an MVP with traction, be innovative and designed to scale, and be able to present in person on 2027-02-10–2027-02-11.
- If selected for the Showcase, present in person to investors, corporates and industry leaders. The organiser says selected ventures can network with investors and strategic partners and be included in the ATS Investment Deal Book.
| Startup programme | Buy the Early Bird Startup Pass through the official registration page; it is restricted to companies under three years old. Showcase participation is a separate application, not included automatically with the pass. source |
|---|---|
| Startup price | $325 USD (Early Bird Startup Pass, 2027) source |
| Includes | Access to all Summit Sessions (2027-02-10–2027-02-11), hands-on workshops, networking lunches and coffee breaks. |
| Eligibility | Strictly for companies under three years old (2027 pass listing). To apply separately for the Investment Showcase, a venture must be African-founded or headquartered in Africa, have a market product/service or an MVP with traction, be innovative and designed to scale, and present in person at the summit (2027). |
| Founder discounts | The organiser advertises reduced startup rates. The published 2027 Early Bird Startup Pass is $325 USD and is restricted to companies under three years old. No separate founder discount code is published on the official pages consulted. |
| Exhibiting | Dedicated startup expo packages are available and include exhibition space, passes and promotional opportunities. The organiser directs companies to request a tailored package; no booth or package price is published. |
| Investor pass | No distinct investor-only pass or application route is specified in the public registration material; the organiser’s registration page sells event passes online. source |
| Application required | No, tickets are purchased |
Africa Tech Summit Nairobi Investment Showcase
| Format | The Investment Showcase is a curated, in-person pitching platform. In 2026, the organiser selected 12 ventures to showcase; it describes investor access and a Q&A with ecosystem experts, not a separate prize-based pitch contest. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | For the 2027 Investment Showcase: African-founded (at least one African co-founder) or headquartered in Africa; a product or service on the market or an MVP with existing traction; innovative and designed for scale; and able to present in person at the summit. No separate prize or prize eligibility is published. |
Judges
Meeting investors there
The 2027 Showcase is a curated pitching platform for investment-ready African ventures; the organiser says selected founders can present to global and European investors, connect with potential investors and strategic partners, explore funding and appear in the Deal Book. For the completed 2026 edition, the organiser announced 12 selected ventures: Bekia, Bosso Africa Inc, Chefaa, Hizo, Innobid, Niteon, Pretium, Timart, TIBU Health, Vepay, Winich Farms and Zerobionic. The official materials describe curated networking and pitching, but do not name a dedicated investor-matchmaking app. source
| Investors attending | No total investor-attendance figure published for the completed 2026 edition. source |
|---|---|
| Formats | Investment Showcase: selected ventures pitch in person to investors, corporates and industry leaders. · Curated networking sessions and networking opportunities with investors and ecosystem stakeholders. · The ATS Investment Deal Book, which includes selected Showcase ventures. |
Investor firms the organiser lists (2026 completed edition (2026-02-11 to 2026-02-12); next announced Nairobi edition is the ninth, scheduled for 2027-02-10 to 2027-02-11 at Sarit Expo Centre. No cancellation, postponement, city move, or name change was stated in the consulted official event information.)
Enza CapitalNovastar VenturesNorrsken22E3 CapitalPlatinum & Taylor Hill LPSeedstars
Before you go: the hub's cold email to VCs playbook covers the pre-event outreach that fills a meeting calendar, and Causo matches your stage and thesis to the funds in its database so you know who to ask for a meeting.
Who speaks (2026 completed edition (2026-02-11 to 2026-02-12); next announced Nairobi edition is the ninth, scheduled for 2027-02-10 to 2027-02-11 at Sarit Expo Centre. No cancellation, postponement, city move, or name change was stated in the consulted official event information.)
- Bernard Parah, CEO & Co-Founder · Bitnob
- Dolapo Omotoso · Moniepoint
- Abi Ajayi · London Stock Exchange
- Neanda Salvaterra, Senior Reporter & Africa Tech Summit Host · Africa Tech Summit
- Ariel White-Tsimikalis · Goodwin
- Nikolai Barnwell · PawaPay
- Patrick Lukusa, Director · Odoo
- Ebenezer Ghanney · WeWire
- Jessica Hope, Founder · Wimbart
- Joshua Nwogodo, Founder & CEO · ZuniQ
- Ngetha Waithaka, General Partner · Norrsken22
- Olalekan Ojo · Platinum & Taylor Hill LP
- Sapna Shah, Partner · Novastar Ventures East Africa
- Sarah Idahosa · MANSA
- Stanley Mukasa, Associate Director of Entrepreneurship · CMU-Africa
Full lineup: official speakers page.
Sponsors and partners
Powered by 1
Silver Partner 12
BitnobOdooRaenestLondon Stock ExchangeInternational Trade CentreUK Department for Business & TradeMetaMapPawaPayPesaGreyOpen Society FoundationsEnza Capital
Bronze Partner 41
Tola MobileTalaSpendinRegulaZuniQNovastar VenturesNorrsken22KagooHizoChoice BankCMU-AfricaAdjustXYO4G CapitalMachankuraBushaIdentyAiraloSycamoreInstollarHalcyonE3 CapitalLunoFireblocksYoguPayKigali International Financial CentreSiemens StiftungAfriEx54 LinksLevlHyperbridgeNational Social Security Fund UgandaCognetiks ConsultingPlatinum & Taylor Hill LPProDevsUmbaTalent GridMagmaNazavaSeedstarsGIZ
Media partners: AppsAfrica, TechCentral, TechCabal, Tech Trends Media, Times of AI, Startup News
Government partners: International Trade Centre, UK Department for Business & Trade
Full list: official partners page.
Startups there
Alumni the organiser highlights
- Bekia (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Bosso Africa Inc (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Chefaa (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Hizo (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Innobid (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Niteon (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Pretium (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Timart (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- TIBU Health (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Vepay (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Winich Farms (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
- Zerobionic (2026) — Selected for the 2026 Investment Showcase. source
Programme
| Tracks | Africa Money & DeFi Summit · Africa AI & Digital Summit · Africa Climate Tech & Investment Summit · Africa Startup Summit source |
|---|---|
| Side events | For the 2027 edition, 2027-02-09 is Founders Day and a pre-day; the organiser says a welcome reception is for Pro Pass holders. The main conference is 2027-02-10–2027-02-11. |
| Call for speakers | The organiser welcomes speaker applications for the 2027 Nairobi edition. No call-for-speakers deadline or detailed submission process is published on the official event overview. source |
| Hashtag | #ATSNBO |
Past editions, as published
| Edition | Dates | Attendees | Investors | Startups | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 · Nairobi, Kenya · Eighth Nairobi edition; completed (2026). source | Feb 11–12, 2026 | 2,000+ industry players (2026; organizer's retrospective video description) | — | 12 ventures selected for the Investment Showcase (2026; selections announced ahead of the event): Bekia, Bosso Africa Inc, Chefaa, Hizo, Innobid, Niteon, Pretium, Timart, TIBU Health, Vepay, Winich Farms, and Zerobionic. | video · photos |
| 2025 · Nairobi, Kenya · Seventh Nairobi edition; completed (2025). source | Feb 12–13, 2025 | — | — | 10 ventures selected for the Investment Showcase (2025): Bizy Tech Limited, Dojah, Duhqa, Flow Global, Heala Tech Ltd, JaliKoi, Koolboks, MaishaPoa, OnSpace Technologies, and Pricepally. | photos |
| 2023 · Nairobi, Kenya · Fifth Nairobi edition; completed (2023). source | Feb 15–16, 2023 | 1,350 attendees (2023) | — | Pitch sessions were part of the published programme (2023). | video |
| 2022 · Nairobi, Kenya · Nairobi debut; fourth African-edition iteration moved from Kigali to Nairobi (2022). The organizer's history records the summit as online in 2021. source | Feb 23–24, 2022 | — | — | — | |
| 2024 · Nairobi, Kenya source | — | — | — | — |
Cities: Kigali (2018–2020, earlier African editions); Nairobi (from 2022; 8th edition held in 2026)
Who attends
| Geography | African and international tech ecosystem (2026); the organiser’s 2026 recap gives no attendee-country total. source |
|---|---|
| Roles | Founders, Investors, Corporates, Policy & government, Press |
| Stages | Pre-seed, Seed, Growth |
Official links and socials
Travel & apps
In the press
- 12 startups selected to pitch at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi — Disrupt Africa (2026)
- Africa Tech Summit Nairobi announces 12 ventures selected for 2026 investment showcase — TechCabal (2026)
- Africa Tech Summit Nairobi unveils 12 investor-ready ventures for 2026 showcase — Zawya (2026)
- Africa Tech Summit Nairobi announces 10 ventures for investment showcase — Disrupt Africa (2025)
- 10 startups selected for Africa Tech Summit Nairobi Investment Showcase — Disrupt Africa (2024)
- Africa Tech Summit Returns To Nairobi, February 2023 — Irish Tech News (2023)
Prepare for it
- How to cold email VCs — book the meetings before you land.
- The 12-slide seed deck — what to have ready when a partner says "send me the deck".
- Pitch Deck Roaster — a slide-by-slide pass before you submit to Africa Tech Summit Nairobi Investment Showcase.
- Accelerator deadlines — the application windows that open around the event.
Sources
Every fact above was read from one of these official pages on Oct 7, 2026:
- africatechsummit-2813692.hs-sites.com/ats-preferences
- africatechsummit.com/about
- africatechsummit.com/events
- africatechsummit.com/insights/12-ventures-selected-for-ats-nairobi-2026-investment-showcase
- africatechsummit.com/insights/africa-tech-summit-nairobi-2025-announces-10-ventures-for-investment-showcase
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/africa-startup-summit
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/agenda
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/agenda
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/awards
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/call-for-speakers
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/insights
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/investment-showcase
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/media
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/travel
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/videos
- africatechsummit.com/nairobi/what-to-expect
- africatechsummit.com/photo-gallery
- africatechsummit.com/videos/tech-funding-in-2023
- facebook.com/events/sarit-expo-centre/africa-tech-summit-nairobi/1152295728546023
- youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNkBipGVeSEbyJ99ULTqsZSpDXJ99wk4B
- youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNkBipGVeSEbyJ99ULTqsZSpDXJ99wk4B; https://www.africatechsummit.com/insights/12-ventures-selected-for-ats-nairobi-2026-investment-showcase
- x.com/AfricaTechSMT
Africa Tech Summit Nairobi: frequently asked
When is Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2027?
Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2027 runs Feb 10–11, 2027 at Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, according to the organiser's published dates.
How do startups get into Africa Tech Summit Nairobi?
Buy the Early Bird Startup Pass through the official registration page; it is restricted to companies under three years old. Showcase participation is a separate application, not included automatically with the pass. Eligibility as published: Strictly for companies under three years old (2027 pass listing). To apply separately for the Investment Showcase, a venture must be African-founded or headquartered in Africa, have a market product/service or an MVP with traction, be innovative and designed to scale, and present in person at the summit (2027).
How many investors attend Africa Tech Summit Nairobi?
The organiser reports No total investor-attendance figure published for the completed 2026 edition. investors. The 2027 Showcase is a curated pitching platform for investment-ready African ventures; the organiser says selected founders can present to global and European investors, connect with potential investors and strategic partners, explore funding and appear in the Deal Book. For the completed 2026 edition, the organiser announced 12 selected ventures: Bekia, Bosso Africa Inc, Chefaa, Hizo, Innobid, Niteon, Pretium, Timart, TIBU Health, Vepay, Winich Farms and Zerobionic. The official materials describe curated networking and pitching, but do not name a dedicated investor-matchmaking app.
What is Africa Tech Summit Nairobi Investment Showcase?
Africa Tech Summit Nairobi's pitch competition. Eligibility: For the 2027 Investment Showcase: African-founded (at least one African co-founder) or headquartered in Africa; a product or service on the market or an MVP with existing traction; innovative and designed for scale; and able to present in person at the summit. No separate prize or prize eligibility is published.
How big is Africa Tech Summit Nairobi?
More than 2,000 industry players brought together (2026). attendees, 12 ventures selected for the Investment Showcase (2026; this is the showcase cohort, not a total of all startups attending) startups, from No country count for the completed 2026 edition published by the organiser. countries, per the organiser.