A new Pan-African innovation platform, Nova Garage, has been launched to spotlight and support the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs ahead of the Africa Forward Summit set for May 11–12, 2026 in Nairobi.
The initiative, spearheaded by the French-African Foundation and the Autonomous Advancement Initiative, in partnership with Concerto and Nuvision, aims to bring together young innovators, investors, corporate leaders, and policymakers to accelerate Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Organized under the High Patronage of President William Ruto, Nova Garage will serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing cutting-edge solutions across key sectors including energy, agriculture, mobility, and finance.
“We have spent decades speaking for Africa’s future. Perhaps it is time we made room for those who are actually building it,” said Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs.
The platform will be hosted in Nairobi, often referred to as the “Silicon Savannah,” reinforcing Kenya’s growing reputation as a leading innovation hub on the continent.
With over 400 active tech startups and nearly $1 billion in venture capital attracted in the past year, Kenya continues to play a central role in Africa’s digital transformation.
Nova Garage is also expected to strengthen partnerships between African and international stakeholders, particularly fostering deeper collaboration between Africa and France in innovation and investment.
A total of 15 entrepreneurs under the age of 35 will be selected through a pan-African application process to showcase their innovations before a global audience attending the summit.
Applicants must have a functional prototype or minimum viable product, with solutions that address real-world challenges and are ready for live demonstration.
The deadline for applications is April 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM (EAT).
Organizers say Nova Garage is designed to extend beyond the summit, evolving into a long-term platform for growth, networking, and collaboration.
The initiative also introduces the Autonomous Advancement Initiative, which seeks to position African nations as co-owners of emerging digital and AI infrastructure, rather than just consumers of global technologies.
