From left: RedStart Tunisie CEO and co-founder Douja Gharbi, Seketak Solutions CEO Assem Kamel and Konza Technopolis Development Authority Chief Manager-Business Development and Innovation Josephine Ndambuki during a meeting on May 15, 2026/COURTESYKenya’s ambition to cement its status as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah” received a major boost after Konza Technopolis Development Authority hosted the first-ever IPDAYS Nairobi forum, bringing together startups, investors and policymakers from Tunisia, Egypt and Kenya to strengthen cross-border innovation partnerships.
The IPDAYS Nairobi x Silicon Savannah Startup Fair 2026, held in Nairobi in partnership with RedStart Tunisie, Seketak Solutions, Fie Labs and GAK Advisory, marked a significant step in positioning Kenya as a gateway for North African startups seeking entry into Sub-Saharan Africa.
The forum featured investor pitch sessions, startup matchmaking forums, policy briefings and training workshops aimed at accelerating innovation partnerships and easing market access for African startups.
Speaking during the event, Konza Technopolis Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri said the continent’s digital future would depend on stronger partnerships between African countries.
“This occasion is more than just a gathering. It is a clear statement that Africa’s digital future will be built through collaboration, innovation and strategic partnerships,” Okwiri said.
He added: “Innovation must not only be created, but also protected, commercialised and financed. We must invest in skills development and create ecosystems that allow startups to scale beyond borders if Africa’s digital economy is to thrive.”
A key highlight of the forum was the signing of a collaboration agreement between Konza Technopolis, RedStart Tunisie and Seketak Solutions aimed at formalising cooperation on startup exchange programmes, joint acceleration initiatives and ecosystem development.
The agreement is expected to open new opportunities for startups from North and East Africa to access new markets, funding opportunities and mentorship networks.
Chief Executive Officer of RedStart Tunisie Douja Gharbi said the partnership would help unlock growth opportunities for startups across the continent.
“We are returning to Kenya to deepen collaboration, align our roadmaps and create scalable pathways that support startup growth across borders,” Gharbi said.
She noted that African startups face similar challenges, including access to capital, market entry barriers and policy fragmentation, adding that stronger regional partnerships were critical in overcoming those obstacles.
The event came barely a day after William Ruto assented to the Technopolis Bill, 2024, which establishes a legal and governance framework for technopolises across Kenya.
Stakeholders at the forum said the law is expected to attract more technology-driven enterprises, improve governance structures and further strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional innovation and technology hub.
Industry players noted that Kenya’s expanding digital infrastructure, strategic location and progressive technology policies continue to make the country attractive to global and regional investors seeking access to African markets.
Discussions during the forum focused on financing cross-border expansion, easing market entry for startups and harmonising policies under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework, which seeks to create a single African market for goods, services and digital trade.
Participants said stronger continental integration could unlock immense opportunities for African innovators and reduce dependence on foreign markets.
Konza Technopolis, a flagship project under Kenya’s Vision 2030 development blueprint, is being developed as a 5,000-acre smart city focused on science, technology, innovation and knowledge-based industries.
Often referred to as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, the smart city is expected to contribute significantly to Kenya’s economy while positioning the country as one of Africa’s leading centres for technology and innovation.
Located about 65 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, Konza is designed to host world-class infrastructure, research institutions, digital enterprises and innovation-driven industries as Kenya seeks to accelerate its transition into a knowledge-based economy.
