26-30 Oct 2026, Mombasa, Kenya - Pwani Innovation Week main program and Private Dinner: Building Ecosystems with close the gap
Introduction: Jambo Mombasa! SWEAT Africa is heading east to Kenya.
We’re joining Pwani Innovation Week on Kenya’s coast to build relationships, meet the people driving coastal innovation, and host our first-ever SWEAT Kenya side event.
WHAT IS PWANI INNOVATION WEEK?
The Kenyan coast’s big week of ideas, hosted by Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa. This is the 7th edition, and it marks 10 years of Swahilipot backing young innovators, creatives and founders.
⟶ Hackathons and challenges
⟶ Pitching and a Deals Den
⟶ Keynotes and panels
⟶ Innovation exhibition
⟶ Culture, music and talent
FIRST TWO SWEAT KENYA SIDE EVENTS:
- 1) The SWEAT Africa Ecosystem Exchange: From Connection to Collaboration – Panel Discussion at Pwani Innovation Week
A lively panel and open conversation on what Kenyan and South African ecosystems can learn from each other, with Kenyan founders, ecosystem partners and SWEAT Africa voices.
- Venue: Pwani Innovation Week at Swahilipot Hub, Mombasa, Kenya
- Date: 29 October 2026, 11am-12pm
Programme: The panel discussion as part of the 7th edition of Pwani Innovation week will focus on building relationships With Kenyan founders, funders and ecosystem builders. One of the objective is to connect two of the strongest startup and innovation ecosystems in Africa, from Kenya to South Africa, with events in Mombasa and Cape Town to drive innovation and produce the startups and companies that we need to advance health, cleantech and education in Africa.
- 2. The Ecosystem Table: SWEAT Africa Mombasa Edition with Close the Gap
No institution, however well resourced, builds an ecosystem alone. During Pwani Innovation Week, join founders, funders and ecosystem builders from Kenya and South Africa for an evening of good food, great company and one question: “What could we build together that none of us could build alone?”
- Venue: Close The Gap Café · Ratna Square, Nyali, Mombasa, Kenya
- Date: 29 October 2026, 11am-12pm
Programme: An informal dinner party meeting with a short panel discussion and the introduction of the SWEAT Africa, which expands in 2027 in Boschendal to host > 1000 startups, investors and ecosystem builders in twelve tracks, from biotech, health tech, green tech to social impact. In addition, we will discuss the Science Road in Africa initiative that link some of the strongest ecosystems in Africa, from North Africa, to East Africa to all the way to the southern tip of Africa.
Organizers: SWEAT Africa, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Trust Africa Foundation, South Africa; Close the Gap, Kenya; Swahilipot, Kenya.
