Africa meets Bavaria

Africa meets Bavaria is a two-year, Bavarian State Chancellery-funded project connecting Bavaria with Africa to foster entrepreneurial collaboration. It empowers young African tech talents to innovate locally, while enabling Bavarian companies to tap into emerging African markets.

By 2026, our program will have supported

400

participants in the From Zero to Hero Coursera course

180

participants in the Masterclass

participants in the Innovation Exchange

30+

Learning Visit participants

Project Overview

The project addresses some of the most pressing global challenges, including sustainability, mobility transformation, and climate change. By working on local solutions to these challenges, participants contribute to the sustainable development and economic growth of their home countries.

The program consists of three main components:

1. Online Trainings
African talents will receive high-quality education in digital product development through the Digital Product School (DPS). This includes a two-week introductory course and a three-month hands-on training program to develop real-world digital products and gain in-depth knowledge in digital product development and entrepreneurship. Graduates become empowered to develop their own business ideas.

2-Week Introduction to Digital Product Development Course
- August 2025
- Spots: ~ 200
- Target Group: African Talents
- Place: Online
3-Month Training on Digital Product Development
- November 2025 - February 2026
- Spots: ~ 80
- Target Group: African Talents
- Place: Online
2. Exchange with Bavaria
Selected participants will engage in a two-month exchange with Bavarian start-ups, gaining practical experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and the German innovation ecosystem.

2-Month Innovation Exchange
- May - June 2026
- Spots: 10
- Target Group: African Talents & Bavarian Startups
- Place: Bavaria
3. Learning Visits
The third block of the exchange will consist of a learning visit to expand networks and build an economic bridge between Bavaria and African ecosystems. Delegations of Bavarian startups, selected companies, representatives from politics or foundations from Germany with a strong interest in the African market will participate in a one week visit to successful companies, associations, government institutions and innovation centers in Africa to build up a strong African-European network.

1-Week Learning Visits
- July 2026
- Spots: 15
- Target Group: Bavarian Economy representatives
- Ort: Accra (Ghana) und Lagos (Nigeria)

Programme Goals

Empower African talents to build and scale tech startups

Strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa

Address social inequalities and create skilled job opportunities in Africa

Foster long-term collaborations between Africa and Bavarian businesses

What happened so far in pictures

Africa Bavaria Kickoff 16 Jun 25 235 1 1

Innovation Exchange Kick-off (Munich)

Highlighting African talents and hosting Bavarian startups – pictured: Rewla (Talent) and Lavine from Coastal BioTech (Bavarian-Tanzanian Startup)

UnternehmerTUM meets global innovation (Kenya & Ethiopia)

The Bavarian Delegation during the Africa meets Bavaria Learning Visit to Nairobi and Addis Ababa, engaging with two of Africa’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems

Startup visit in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

Africa meets Bavaria Delegation visiting Kubik, a climate-tech startup transforming plastic waste into durable building materials.

Train-the-Trainer Visit in Munich

Bringing together our African partner and the Digital Product School in person to prepare for the Masterclass

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 ist ein bedeutendes Innovationszentrum in Äthiopien, das technologische Fortschritte vorantreibt und das wachsende Startup-Ökosystem des Landes unterstützt.

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.

Contact

Projektleitung International Cooperation

Lara Knödler

+49 89 5419870035

lara.knoedler@unternehmertum.de
International Cooperation Coordinator

Rahel Fantaw

rahel.fantaw@unternehmertum.de

Africa Meets Bavaria - Building Entrepreneurial Bridges

Project Overview

The program consists of three main components:

2-Week Introduction to Digital Product Development Course

3-Month Training on Digital Product Development

2-Month Innovation Exchange

1-Week Learning Visits

Programme Goals