Teilnehmende des Programms Africa Meets Bavaria
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Africa Meets Bavaria
Building Entrepreneurial Bridges

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In a Nutshell

Africa Meets Bavaria is a two-year project funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery that connects Bavaria and Africa through entrepreneurship. It empowers young African tech talents to innovate locally, while enabling Bavarian companies to tap into emerging African markets.

  • 400 participants in the From Zero to Hero course (Coursera)
  • 180 participants in the Masterclass
  • 20 participants in the Innovation Exchange
  • 30+ Learning Visit participants

Project Overview
Three Components

The project addresses pressing global challenges, including sustainability, mobility transformation, and climate change. Participants develop local solutions and contribute to the sustainable development and economic growth of their home countries.

1. Online Trainings

African talents learn digital product development with the Digital Product School: in a two-week introductory course and a three-month hands-on program in which they build real digital products. This enables them to pursue their own business ideas.

Two-week introductory course: August 2025 · about 200 spots · online
Three-month training: November 2025 to February 2026 · about 80 spots · online

2. Exchange With Bavaria

Selected participants spend two months with Bavarian startups and gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and the German innovation ecosystem.

Innovation Exchange: May to June 2026 · ten spots · for African talents and Bavarian startups · in Bavaria

3. Learning Visits

Delegations of Bavarian startups, companies, policymakers, and foundations spend a week visiting companies, associations, government institutions, and innovation centers in Africa to build an African-European network.

Learning Visit: July 2026 · 15 spots · for representatives of the Bavarian economy · Accra (Ghana) and Lagos (Nigeria)

  • Empowering Talent

    Empower African talents to build and scale tech startups

  • Strengthening Ecosystems

    Strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa

  • Creating Opportunities

    Reduce social inequalities and create skilled jobs in Africa

  • Fostering Partnerships

    Foster long-term collaborations between businesses in Africa and Bavaria

Hosting an intern from the Africa Meets Bavaria exchange was an incredible experience. Her contributions greatly enhanced our international operations and knowledge exchange, and we would be delighted to offer her a permanent position with us.

Leadership means learning from every perspective – and building bridges, not silos.

Steven Sillah, CCO, Coastal BioTech

Impressions

Afrikanische Talente und bayerische Startups beim Kick-off des Innovation Exchange in München

Innovation Exchange Kick-off (Munich)

Launching the program with African talents and Bavarian host startups, pictured: Rewla and Lavine from Coastal BioTech, a Bavarian-Tanzanian startup.

Bayerische Delegation beim Learning Visit von Africa Meets Bavaria in Nairobi und Addis Abeba

Learning Visit (Kenya and Ethiopia)

The Bavarian delegation in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, engaging with two of Africa’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Delegation von Africa Meets Bavaria beim Climate-Tech-Startup Kubik in Addis Abeba

Startup Visit (Addis Ababa)

The delegation visiting Kubik, a climate-tech startup transforming plastic waste into durable building materials.

Afrikanischer Partner und Digital Product School beim Train-the-Trainer-Treffen in München

Train-the-Trainer (Munich)

Our African partner and the Digital Product School meeting in person to prepare the Masterclass.

Karte von Afrika mit den Partnerstandorten von Africa Meets Bavaria in Ghana, Nigeria, Äthiopien und Kenia

Technology Hubs
The collaboration focuses on four emerging technology hubs in Africa

Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana

A leading African university, KNUST excels in research areas like water, energy, environment, mobility, and global health. It has a strategic, long-term partnership with the Technical University of Munich.

Nigeria
The Nest, Nigeria

Nest Innovation Park is a dynamic hub for startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses, providing state-of-the-art workspaces and resources to foster innovation. With a strong focus on collaboration and growth, it connects visionaries with mentors, investors, and industry leaders.

Ethiopia
IceAddis, Ethiopia

IceAddis is a major innovation hub in Ethiopia that drives technological progress and supports the country’s growing startup ecosystem.

Kenya
Mount Kenya University (MKU), Kenya

A leading private university in East Africa, MKU provides vital education and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, contributing to Kenya’s innovation landscape.

Kenya
Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), Kenya

The Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) is a leading hub for climate and sustainability innovation in East Africa, supporting startups and enterprises in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, water, and circular economy solutions.

Questions About Africa Meets Bavaria?

Supported by the Bavarian State Chancellery

Further Information