Nairobi
Entrepreneurship
Conference
& Kenya Diaspora Alliance
A working conference for 500 founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders. One full day designed to move you from idea to investor-ready — with real deal-making in the afternoon.
Built for Builders
The Nairobi Entrepreneurship Conference is a convening of builders — aspiring founders launching their first venture, early-stage companies ready to scale, and the investors and ecosystem leaders who support them.
Co-hosted by the Institute for Human Advancement and the Kenya Diaspora Alliance as the enterprise centerpiece of the Kenya 2026 Global Impact Delegation, this one-day event brings together Kenya's most dynamic entrepreneurial energy with an international delegation of leaders committed to Africa's growth story.
“The diaspora, tech innovation, and faith-led ethical engagement — these are the transformational pillars that make this gathering different from any other event on the continent.”Dr. Shem Ochuodho · Chair, Kenya Diaspora Alliance
Not a networking mixer. Every session is designed for outcomes. Workshop-style mornings, structured deal rooms in the afternoon. Attendees leave with a workbook, investor contacts, and a clear next step for their venture.
An Africa – Diaspora Investment Corridor
This conference exists because two institutions decided to build the bridge together — one rooted in the Kenyan diaspora, one in global program design. Together, they bring the network, the capital pipeline, and the on-the-ground execution to make it real.
Kenya Diaspora Alliance
KDA is the umbrella body uniting Kenyans living abroad — mobilizing diaspora capital, expertise, and policy influence into Kenya's development. Their network spans every continent and unlocks the diaspora investment thesis at the heart of this gathering.
- ◆In-country leadership and partner relationships
- ◆Diaspora investor mobilization across 4 continents
- ◆Policy bridge to Kenyan ministries and county leadership
- ◆Co-design of the deal-room and investor matchmaking program
Led by Dr. Shem Ochuodho, Global Chair
Institute for Human Advancement
IHA is a New York–based 501(c)(3) building infrastructure for human advancement across health, workforce, enterprise, leadership, and technology. The Kenya 2026 Global Impact Delegation is IHA's flagship convening, and this conference is its enterprise centerpiece.
- ◆Convener of the 14-day Global Impact Delegation
- ◆International investor and partner delegation lead
- ◆Conference program design and curriculum
- ◆Post-conference founder support via IHA Advance
501(c)(3) nonprofit · New York City
The People in the Room
A working delegation of attorneys, operators, investors, and enterprise leaders — on the ground in Nairobi to build real partnerships with Kenyan founders.
Achumboro Ataande, Esq.
Licensed attorney, serial entrepreneur, and angel investor leading IHA’s business empowerment track. CEO of Uplift Communities, delivering entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness programming to government agencies, school systems, and corporations.
Dr. Shem Ochuodho
Eunice Wambui
Crystal Crawford, Esq.
Lorenzo Daughtry-Chambers
Sharon Daughtry
Apostle Joshua Johnson
A working bench of 16+ delegates
- ◆Institutional InvestorsUS + diaspora-led funds deploying into African markets
- ◆Healthcare LeadersClinicians, hospital administrators, and medical educators
- ◆Enterprise OperatorsFounders and executives scaling across US and African markets
- ◆Legal & Financial CounselAttorneys and advisors structuring cross-border deals
- ◆Ecosystem BuildersProgram designers, accelerators, and ecosystem conveners
- ◆Faith & Community LeadersClergy and community mobilizers anchoring long-term partnerships
Full delegate roster released closer to the conference.
Ideas → Skills → Capital → Deals
Arrival, Networking & Breakfast
Informal networking to foster early connections among founders, ecosystem players, and partners.
Open to AllSession 1: Entrepreneurship Training Workshop
A practical, workshop-style session equipping early-stage founders with foundational tools and frameworks for venture building — business model design, problem-solution articulation, customer validation, and leveraging AI in venture building. Tailored to the Kenyan context.
WorkshopSession 2: The Art of Building an Investable Business
A deep-dive on the journey from idea to scale, with a focus on what makes a startup investable. Covers venture development stages, what investors look for, fundraising readiness, and common pitfalls.
WorkshopLunch Break & Networking
Structured lunch and continued ecosystem conversations.
BreakSession 3: Matchmaking & Investor Speed Networking
Speed-dating format where investors are seated at tables and founders rotate between them. High-velocity introductions designed to generate real deal conversations before the day ends.
Deal Room* Program subject to refinement. Final schedule distributed to registered attendees by April 30, 2026.
The Sectors Driving Africa's Next Economy
Every track is built around Kenya's market priorities and continental growth opportunities — aligned with government pillars, UN SDGs, and AU Agenda 2063.
AI & Technology
Founders and investors building the next wave of African-led technology companies. Kenya’s Silicon Savannah meets global capital and diaspora expertise.
Fintech & Financial Inclusion
Payments, lending, insurance, and capital access innovations. Building on M-Pesa’s legacy to reshape financial infrastructure across the continent.
Health Tech
Digital health platforms, diagnostics, telemedicine, and community health systems built for African markets and global health standards.
Blue Economy
Sustainable fisheries, maritime trade, ocean resources, and coastal enterprise development — one of Africa’s most underbuilt sectors.
Culture & Creative Economy
Media, arts, fashion, and cultural IP as exportable enterprise. Africa’s creative century is here — and it is building generational wealth.
Trade & Commerce
Cross-border trade, logistics, supply chain, and AfCFTA market access for growing businesses across the continent.
One Day. Maximum Impact.
Three Pillars of Programming
Every session is built for outcomes. This is a working conference — structured programming, deal rooms, and track-based sessions designed for actionable results.
Main Hall Training
Plenary sessions and workshops open to all 500 attendees. Two morning workshops on business building and investor readiness — led by practitioners who have built on the continent.
Deal Rooms
Parallel small-group sessions for advanced founders — direct access to active investors, structured pitch feedback, and deal flow conversations. Pre-matched for quality over randomness.
Ecosystem Tables
Structured networking with partners across Kenya Diaspora Alliance, iHub, YALI RLC, and regional accelerators. Organized by sector. Built for real relationships, not card exchanges.
Built for People Who Build Things
- →Aspiring entrepreneurs ready to launch their first venture
- →Early-stage founders (1st–3rd ventures) seeking capital
- →University students with active business concepts
- →Active angels and investors in East African markets
- →Accelerators, incubators, and ecosystem builders
- →Corporate innovation leads exploring African markets
- →Policymakers engaged in enterprise development
- →Development finance institutions
- →NGO and international organization professionals
Organized With the Institutions
That Move Markets
Co-hosted by IHA and the Kenya Diaspora Alliance, in partnership with Kenya's leading diaspora, tech, and leadership institutions.
Secure Your Spot
500 founders. 6 tracks. One day that could change the trajectory of your venture. Space is firm at 500 — register now and our team will confirm your place before May 1.
Kenya 2026 Global Impact Delegation
The Nairobi Entrepreneurship Conference is the enterprise centerpiece of IHA's 14-day Kenya 2026 mission — spanning Nairobi, Kakamega, and Mombasa.
View the Full Delegation