Microsoft, through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO), has launched a new initiative to accelerate advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and foster partnerships between startups and industry leaders.
This initiative includes a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to drive the development of AI startups across Africa.
This announcement builds on the success of the Microsoft African Startups AI Fest held earlier this year in South Africa.
The event featured participation from the NVIDIA Inception program, offering startups a platform to connect with industry leaders, investors, and potential partners.
Attendees will explore cutting-edge AI solutions and benefit from numerous networking and collaboration opportunities.
“We are excited to provide African AI startups with the resources and support they need to succeed,” stated Gerald Maithya, General Manager of the Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
“Through our collaboration with NVIDIA Inception, startup founders can utilize Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, AI tools, and go-to-market support. This will help them tackle challenges such as scaling solutions globally and reaching a larger customer base. We are eager to welcome local entrepreneurs to this initiative, driving AI innovation across Africa,” he added.
Africa is uniquely positioned to lead in AI-driven solutions, thanks to its youthful, dynamic workforce and burgeoning tech ecosystems.
The continent boasts the highest average entrepreneurial rate globally, coupled with significant growth in investments.
Over 2,400 AI startups in Africa are already reshaping industries and generating new job opportunities at an impressive pace.
The Microsoft AI Startups initiative aims to sustain this momentum by empowering African startups with critical resources and support.
This effort includes collaboration with NVIDIA Inception, a global program offering startups access to advanced technology, expert guidance, and opportunities to connect with venture capitalists.
The initiative will highlight success stories such as Taimba, an agritech startup revolutionizing the agricultural supply chain by connecting smallholder farmers with urban retailers.
Zendawa, a telehealth provider, is transforming pharmaceutical operations by facilitating online medicine access and financial solutions for pharmacies.
Additionally, Pesawise, a fintech innovator, is enhancing secure and efficient payment services, leveraging tools like Azure and GitHub to redefine the financial sector in East Africa.
As part of the initiative, Microsoft and NVIDIA Inception will help accelerate AI transformation in Africa. Entrepreneurs will gain mentorship, access to essential tools like Microsoft Azure and GitHub, go-to-market support, technical resources, and valuable networking opportunities to globalize their solutions.
The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub has already supported over 14,000 African startups. Examples include Snark Health in Kenya, which uses blockchain technology to address healthcare payment challenges by connecting patients and doctors.
In Nigeria, Aibanc is pioneering Africa’s first subscription-based banking system, employing AI to offer personalized loans and financial services to individuals and SMEs.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s PCS Agri leverages AI, machine learning, and IoT to optimize farm operations and improve customer communication through tools like connected traps and yield estimation platforms.
The Microsoft Africa Development Center (ADC) in Nairobi will play a pivotal role in this collaboration, providing AI training through virtual developer sessions. NVIDIA will also conduct a workshop to offer high-level insights into the partnership, guiding startups on using generative AI tools and compute resources to scale their operations.