Africa’s biggest tech event draws top startups
Technology is transforming the way Africa does business, opening new trading opportunities, driving new ideas and innovation in entrepreneurial spirit, and simplifying payments. The International Trade Centre (ITC) brought 31 entrepreneurs to GITEX AFRICA, the continent’s biggest tech and startup event, so they can take their businesses to the next level.
This opportunity gives these companies a global showcase of technology, innovation, and networking, as well as a unique acceleration platform for startups and innovative small businesses.
Over 6,000 exhibitors from hundreds of countries take part in the event from 29 to 31 May in Marrakech, Morocco. Thousands of people visit every day to see the latest advancements in technology. Innovators, industry leaders, and investors will gather for unparalleled opportunities to network and explore the future of Africa’s digital landscape.
Empowering young entrepreneurs
These businesses travelling with ITC work in IT, financial technology (fintech), agriculural technology (agritech), healthcare, and business process outsourcing.
They work with:
- The Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU), funded by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME)
- The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
- The PACAO Project under the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) in Senegal, funded by the European Union.
These programmes are dedicated to enhancing the institutional support for small businesses and producers, strengthening entrepreneurial spirit among African nations.
ITC not only supports startups but also independent organizations. This brings value to key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and fosters collaboration. That’s why the Zambian ICT Authority (ZICTA) and SenStartup Senegal, a startup association, are also going to Morocco.
The businesses’ participation emphasizes mentorship, funding, and access to resources for empowering young entrepreneurs and guiding them towards sustainable success.
About YSAU
The YSAU is a project funded by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups Korea and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with Hive Colab and the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U). The overall project objective is to contribute to increasing youth employment in Uganda. The project aims to improve the startup ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in Uganda which will drive innovation and job creation in the region.
About NTF V
The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands and the International Trade Centre. The programme supports MSMEs in the digital technologies and agribusiness sectors. Its ambition is two-fold: to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of food systems, partially through digital solutions, and drive the internationalization of tech start-ups and export of IT&BPO companies in selected Sub-Saharan African countries.
About ITC’s Digital Moonshot
The International Trade Centre (ITC) launched a corporate initiative in 2022, the Digital Moonshot. Focusing on digital connectivity, ITC calls on partners to prioritize investments in connectivity and on policymakers to create the right conditions for small businesses in developing and transition countries to profit from digital trade and entrepreneurship. The initiative is integral to ITC's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes digital connectivity as a key enabler to an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous world.
About WACOMP (PACAO) Senegal Project
The West Africa Competitiveness Support Program (WACOMP) in Senegal is financed by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises of Senegal. WACOMP Senegal aims to support and strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs in regional and international markets.
