Innovation
Mobile money was born here.
Meet the founders, funds and hubs behind Africa's most dynamic tech scene.
Why Kenya
When Safaricom launched M-Pesa in 2007, Kenya showed the world what mobile money could do, and an entire technology ecosystem grew around it. Today Nairobi's startups work in fintech, agritech, pay-as-you-go solar, health, logistics and climate technology, and several global technology companies run regional offices or engineering centers in the city. Kenya also generates most of its electricity from renewable sources, led by geothermal power in the Rift Valley. For investors and tech teams, this is innovation built for real conditions, at scale.
What you see
Meetings take place in the hubs and offices of Westlands, Kilimani and the city center, with university innovation labs and a working session on how regulation shaped mobile money. Delegations can add Konza Technopolis, the planned technology city in Machakos County, the Olkaria geothermal field near Hell's Gate, or an agritech visit with smallholder farmers upcountry. Seeing how a farmer is paid, insured or advised by phone tells you more about the market than any pitch deck. Founders speak frankly about what it takes to scale in East Africa, from payments and regulation to hiring talent.
How it works
We build the agenda around your goals: sector focus, investment stage, or the problems your team wants to study. Each meeting is confirmed in writing with the host before it appears on your schedule. Days mix site visits, roundtables and a founders' dinner, with transport buffers for Nairobi traffic. Everything runs in English. We arrange access and logistics only; we do not broker deals or give investment advice, and any confidentiality agreements sit between you and the companies you meet.
Who it suits
Venture and impact investor delegations, corporate innovation teams, trade missions, MBA and engineering study tours, and diaspora founders exploring a return. Groups of 6 to 40 work well, split into tracks when interests differ. February to March and October work well; we avoid the late December holidays, when many leaders are away. Diaspora founders often add family time upcountry, and we can run a separate track for spouses or junior staff.
Combine it with
Nairobi National Park is the easy first add-on: a dawn drive and back in time for a morning meeting. A fly-in weekend in the Maasai Mara gives a delegation time to digest what it has heard, and Lake Naivasha pairs a geothermal visit with a boat safari. For trade missions, Mombasa's port and logistics sector make a strong second stop. Student groups can follow the same thread on a longer innovation study tour.
Plan it with us
Kenya Experience is Kenyan-led, with two U.S. companies behind it and a Nairobi team with strong local networks. Send your brief and a specialist replies within two business days. Delegates who extend into a safari can pay in full or monthly with no deposit.
Two days of curated meetings: a mobile-money pioneer, innovation hubs, a venture fund, policymakers, and dinner with founders. For investor delegations, trade missions and tech teams on an offsite.
Good to know
- Best timeFebruary to March, October.
- Duration2–3 days.
- Group6–40.
- PaceModerate.
Your questions
What is Konza Technopolis?
A planned technology city in Machakos County, southeast of Nairobi, being developed as a hub for technology, research and education. Delegations can visit as part of a Silicon Savannah program.
What sectors do Kenyan startups work in?
Fintech leads, with strong activity in agritech, off-grid solar, health, logistics and climate technology.
Do I need a business visa for investor meetings in Kenya?
Short business visits such as meetings and site visits generally travel on an approved eTA applied for online. Paid work in Kenya needs a work permit, so check the official eTA portal for your situation.
Can a student group do a Silicon Savannah tour?
Yes. University and high school groups visit hubs, university labs and companies in a study-tour format, often combined with a geothermal visit at Olkaria and a short safari.
Panga
Plan your The Silicon Savannah tour trip
Panga means plan. Tell us who is going and what you love. A Kenya specialist replies within two business days.
