Kenya’s Nairobi-based innovation space iHub is to host the first Nairobi Tech Week later this month, bringing together the tech community to “network, pitch products and services, and learn”.
Disrupt Africa reported last March iHub celebrated its fifth birthday with a party, dubbed “#5yrTechBash”, bringing together the tech community to acknowledge its achievements so far.
One year later, iHub says the anniversary party made it realise the importance of convening the community more regularly, prompting it to launch Nairobi Tech Week.
Set to take place at Strathmore University in Nairobi between April 27 and 30, Nairobi Tech Week will feature panel discussions, developer workshops, showcases and happy hours aimed at giving members of the innovation ecosystem in Nairobi opportunities to network, pitch products and services, and learn.
“We are so excited to launch a community-driven tech event focused on developers, tech products and the best innovations in Sub Saharan Africa,” said Audrey Cheng, founder of Kenya’s Moringa School, which is a partner in the event.
A number of local and international companies are involved in the event. BRCK, Eneza, Abacus, Waabeh, Tunapanda, Ushahidi, Gearbox, Akirachix, FrontlineSMS and Craft Silicon are among those confirmed to lead conversations on how new tech trends are changing the way business takes place in Kenya and how everyone can take advantage of these trends.
Microsoft, Google, Upande and Africa’s Talking will run developer workshops; the Twitter Developer relations team will host Twitter’s HelloWorld Nairobi Tour giving local developers an opportunity to interact with the Twitter developers; while AngelHack will host a two day Hackathon at the event.
“We’re excited to bring international players like Twitter and Angel Hack and show them the incredible tech products made in the region and facilitate cross-industry and city exchanges. We welcome any forward thinking developer, entrepreneur and stakeholder in the tech sector,” Cheng said.
Tickets (KES4,000/US$40) to Nairobi Tech Week are available here. Discounted tickets are available for students.
