By Emmanuel Nduka
Microsoft announced the introduction of its first African Startups AI Fest at GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Morocco today.
Spearheaded by the organisation’s Africa Transformation Office (ATO), the event scheduled for June 6, 2024, will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, with virtual access available to attendees across the continent.
Microsoft says the event promises to inspire and support startups to accelerate their journey to market with the right AI-powered tech solutions.
The African Startups AI Fest will bring together founders, entrepreneurs, business decision-makers, engineers and developers in the startups space from across the continent.
The inaugural event aims to showcase the transformative power of AI and how startups can use this revolutionary technology to drive innovation and take their ideas not only to local markets but a global stage.
“There is a need to provide startups on the continent with the resources to take their concepts from the drawing board to customers.
“From AI-enabled tech solutions to advanced digital skills, startups need to be given every opportunity to thrive in a highly competitive global market because they are the catalysts for job creation and economic growth in Africa,” Lillian Barnard, Microsoft Africa President said.
Heritage Times HT reports that recent research from The African Tech Startups Funding Report has found that funding for tech startups in Africa has declined after a highly successful 2022 when 633 tech startups raised over $3 billion in funding.
Microsoft has supported startups on the continent to grow and develop over the years.
These success stories include the likes of RE Legal Interact, M-KOPA, Omnisient, Zen Dawa, Deepecho and Terragon.
