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African startups have until April 30 to register for the 5th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The competition rewards innovative solutions powered by clean energy for water production, distribution, storage, desalination and purification. With a $1 million prize pool, the award is open to projects, research, individual initiatives and crisis-response solutions in the water sector.
From Tuesday, May 5 to Thursday, May 7, GISEC GLOBAL will bring together governments, businesses, experts and startups at Dubai Expo City. Conferences, workshops and demonstrations will focus on AI in security, protection of critical infrastructure, and resilience to cyberattacks, with an emphasis on knowledge sharing and international networking.
From May 19 to 21, AI Everything Kenya and GITEX Kenya will bring together policymakers, startups, investors and digital experts in Nairobi. Conferences, workshops, exhibitions, pitch sessions and investment forums will focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, agritech, and digital health and education, aiming to foster collaboration and support tangible projects across East Africa’s digital economy.
Qualcomm has unveiled 10 African startups selected from more than 1,200 applicants for the 2026 edition of its Make in Africa mentorship program. They will receive free support, including business coaching and technical guidance on edge AI, the Internet of Things, and Arduino, as well as a grant for each startup and additional funding for the most impactful social project.
Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator has passed the milestone of 100 startups supported, as it launches its sixth cohort. Since its inception, the program has backed 104 companies across 28 markets, with a combined valuation of $1.4 billion. Applications for the new cohort are open until Sunday, May 17, as the program seeks to help a new wave of founders scale financial solutions across the continent.
The online school Koa Academy is launching a free entrepreneurship challenge for South Africans aged 9 to 16. Over five weeks, participants will learn how to develop an idea, set prices, identify their target market, and pitch their ideas to professionals. The hands-on program aims to build confidence, business skills, and initiative from an early age.
The Morocco Gaming Expo will take place from Wednesday, May 20, to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Sofitel Jardin des Roses in Rabat. In its third edition, the event is positioning itself as the leading gathering for video games, e-sports, and immersive technologies in Morocco. It will bring together enthusiasts, studios, publishers, and public sector stakeholders, featuring demonstrations, competitions, and networking opportunities.
The General Confederation of Guinean Enterprises, in partnership with Microsoft, is launching “AI Xcelerate”, a program aimed at helping 250 companies adopt artificial intelligence. The initiative combines training with practical applications to improve SME productivity and competitiveness. It forms part of the national 2026-2035 roadmap to narrow the technology gap and modernize the economy amid global shifts.
The Estonian tech conference Latitude59 is closing applications for its African startup pitch competition this Wednesday, April 15. The event, scheduled for May 20–22 in Tallinn, offers a prime opportunity to connect with European investors and mentors. Early-stage companies from across the continent are invited to apply to showcase their potential at this influential European event.
The Kenyan startup Zuri Health is expanding its mobile clinic fleet in Nairobi with three new buses equipped for diagnostics, dental care and cervical cancer screening. Deployed in busy areas, these solar-powered, self-sufficient units bring healthcare closer to low-income workers, reducing travel and time away from work. Consultations start at 500 Kenyan shillings (about $4).
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Applications for the Women in AV & Tech competition are now open. The contest is open to women founders with early-stage projects in the audiovisual and related tech sectors. The winner will receive a $15,000 grant to help scale her business. The program is aimed at very early-stage projects, including those without revenue or a final product, provided they address a real-world problem with a credible solution and show potential to build a sustainable business.
The African Development Bank is considering investing €7.5 million to support early-stage tech startups across Africa. The funds will target sectors such as finance, healthcare, agriculture, education, and climate. The initiative aims to help innovative companies launch, create jobs, and improve access to services for underserved populations across the continent.
Renew Venture Lab is accepting applications from African founders developing solutions combining technology and financial services. The program aims to help early-stage startups better integrate payment or lending features, scale in a more structured way, and prepare to attract investors. Top participants may later be considered for funding. Applications are open until Thursday, April 30.
The cryptocurrency platform VALR has partnered with Onafriq to let users in several African countries fund their accounts via mobile money in local currencies. Under the agreement, users can buy Bitcoin, stablecoins and tokenized assets, and use additional financial services. The integration of local payment systems with digital assets is intended to broaden access to financial services across the continent.