Application process underway as government ministers and business
leaders attend first ever UK-Africa Investment Summit; Africa has a
fast-growing tech sector which is driving growth and creating jobs on
the continent
Some of Africa’s most innovative start-ups are invited to take part in a
global tech project to take their businesses and ideas to the next
level.
Go Global Africa, a scheme run by the Department for Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport through its International Tech Hub Network, aims to
build links with the UK’s thriving digital sector and pave the way for
future economic partnerships.
The successful programme, which first launched last year, is currently
open to firms from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa developing tech
solutions in finance, agriculture, health and clean energy.
Entrepreneurs who have developed products that are ready to go to market
and already raised investment are invited to apply.
Digital Minister Matt Warman said:
Africa is home to a rapidly growing tech sector and it is great to
welcome leading figures from across the continent to the UK-Africa
Investment summit.
Through the Go Global Africa project we are giving entrepreneurs the
support they need to grow their business and benefit from the UK’s
world-leading tech and innovation expertise. This will allow them to
continue developing technology to improve lives around the world.
I encourage all those with the talent and ambition to succeed to apply
for a place on this exciting project.
Africa is home to a rapidly growing tech sector. Its start-ups raised 50
per cent more venture capital in 2017 than in 2016. The majority of this
is being invested in South Africa (£130 million), Kenya (£114 million)
and Nigeria (£89 million).
Nigeria’s tech sector generates more than 10 per cent of the country’s
economic output and the sector is projected to create three million jobs
and generate £67.4 billion for the economy by 2021.
Kenya’s technology sector is growing rapidly and is worth more than 11
percent of the country’s economic output. It is considered one of the
most vibrant, advanced and successful in Africa.
South Africa attracted a record amount of investment in tech of any
African country in 2017. It raised almost £128m and research by the
World Economic Forum ranks it as the best place to do business in
Africa.
The Digital Access Programme aims to boost digital skills and
connectivity and build the cybersecurity capacity of partner countries.
It will also help create a thriving digital ecosystem that will
stimulate innovation to address local development challenges, create
skilled jobs and generate partnerships between the UK and Africa.
The launch of Go Global Africa 2020 coincides with the start of the
UK-Africa Investment Summit in London which will bring together
businesses, governments and international institutions to showcase and
promote investment opportunities across Africa.
Attendees include the participants of the Africa-UK: Female Tech
Founders 2020 programme which will see 15 of Africa’s most ambitious
women entrepreneurs visit the UK for a three-day programme to learn how
to grow their business, access world-class mentoring from UK tech
leaders and network with investors.