About this opportunity
The Africa Startup Congress 2027 National Pitch Competition and Roadshow is an Africa wide initiative for high potential early stage startups. Selected founders can showcase their ventures before investors, mentors and key ecosystem stakeholders, gain visibility and build connections.
The national competitions and roadshows are scheduled across Cameroon, Congo, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria between October and November 2026. The Kenya National Pitch Competition and Roadshow is scheduled for Nairobi on November 17, 2026.
Startups are assessed on innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential. Country finalists progress to the continental pitch at Africa Startup Congress 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled for February 24 to 26, 2027. Applications close on September 30, 2026. No cash or equity award amount is stated in the announcement.
What you receive
- Showcase your venture before investors, mentors and ecosystem stakeholders
- Gain visibility for your startup and build valuable connections
- Progress from a country competition to the continental pitch in Kigali
- Join a wider African innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem
Who can apply
- Be a high potential early stage startup
- Apply from or serve one of the ten participating countries
- Demonstrate innovation and a solution with potential to scale
- Show traction and credible impact potential
- Be prepared to pitch the venture before investors, mentors and ecosystem stakeholders
Who should not apply
- The supplied announcement does not state a cash prize or equity award amount
- Dates for countries other than Kenya should be confirmed with the organisers
Documents to prepare
- The announcement does not specify a formal document checklist
- Prepare a concise venture pitch, traction evidence, scale plan and impact case
- Be ready to explain the business model, team and market opportunity
How to apply
- Select the national competition for your country from the ten participating countries
- Register through the official Africa Startup Congress contest page
- Submit your application by September 30, 2026
- Prepare a pitch covering innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential
- Confirm the local roadshow date and participation instructions with the organisers
Selection process
- National pitch competitions and roadshows run across the participating countries between October and November 2026
- Startups are assessed on innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential
- Country finalists progress to the continental pitch at Africa Startup Congress 2027
- The continental congress is scheduled for February 24 to 26, 2027 at the Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda
- The Kenya national pitch and roadshow is scheduled for Nairobi on November 17, 2026
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Who can apply?
High potential early stage startups from Cameroon, Congo, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria can apply.
What happens after the national pitch?
Country finalists progress to the continental pitch at Africa Startup Congress 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Is there a cash prize?
The supplied announcement does not state a cash or equity award amount. It highlights pitch exposure, visibility, connections and progression to the continental stage.
When does the Kenya roadshow take place?
The announcement gives November 17, 2026 in Nairobi for the Kenya National Pitch Competition and Roadshow.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
