Grace Ashiru
Microsoft has unveiled a new initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between startups and business executives, while simultaneously driving the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO).
This project also marks the commencement of Microsoft’s strategic alliance with NVIDIA, a partnership designed to accelerate the growth and innovation of AI-focused startups across the African continent.
The announcement builds on the success of the Microsoft African Companies AI Fest held in South Africa earlier this year, further solidifying collaboration with the NVIDIA Inception program. This initiative provides a platform for companies to connect with industry experts, investors, and potential partners.
Gerald Maithya, General Manager of the Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, expressed enthusiasm about this development, stating, “We are thrilled to offer African AI startups the vital resources and support they need to thrive. Our partnership with NVIDIA Inception will empower startup founders to harness Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, AI tools, and go-to-market support. This collaboration will address critical challenges, such as scaling their solutions globally and reaching a wider customer base. We eagerly anticipate welcoming local entrepreneurs into this dynamic program to shape the future of AI in Africa.”
With Africa boasting the highest average entrepreneurial rate worldwide and experiencing remarkable investment growth, innovation continues to flourish. Currently, over 2,400 AI startups across the continent are revolutionizing industries and generating new employment opportunities at an impressive pace.
The initiative seeks to accelerate the growth of African startups by equipping them with essential support and resources through a partnership with NVIDIA Inception. This global, free program is designed to foster cutting-edge startups, providing them with access to technological resources, industry experts, and opportunities to engage with venture capitalists.
Key learnings will be highlighted from successful local ventures such as Taimba, an agritech startup revolutionizing the agricultural supply chain by directly connecting rural smallholder farmers with urban retailers. Zendawa, a telehealth service provider, will showcase how it is transforming pharmaceutical operations by enabling online access to medicines and financial solutions for pharmacies. Additionally, Pesawise, a fintech innovator, will demonstrate its role in enhancing secure and efficient payment services, utilizing tools like Azure and GitHub to reshape the financial ecosystem in East Africa.
The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub has already played a pivotal role in empowering over 14,000 African startups. Across the continent, companies such as Snark Health, Aibanc, and PCS Agri have leveraged this support to scale their operations successfully.
As part of this initiative, entrepreneurs will gain access to mentorship, Microsoft Azure, GitHub, technical resources, go-to-market support, and networking opportunities to help them export their solutions globally. They will also have the chance to explore state-of-the-art AI technologies and participate in numerous networking and collaboration opportunities.
The Microsoft Africa Development Center in Nairobi will further drive these collaborations by offering virtual AI training sessions for developers. Additionally, NVIDIA will host a specialized workshop to guide startups on utilizing generative AI tools and optimizing AI and computational resources to scale their businesses effectively.
