A huge demand meets a newly interconnected economy
To most of Europe, Africa still means crises, catastrophes and wars, so we have not recognized that Africa’s businesses are booming. Our Learning Journey to Silicon Savannah will change that.
Too few of us are aware of the high economic growth rates of African countries and their pioneering solutions. Africa is the first “mobile-only” continent. 60 % of its 1.2 billion population are owning a mobile phone which gives them access to their bank accounts, acts as a credit card, provides them with medical advice, gives them market information and a platform to sell what they produce – generally it is a tool to earn a living.
African countries have simply by-passed the stage of fixed-line telecommunication, a banking system with only physical outlets and access to the internet only via desktop computers in their economic development. Can you imagine the ingenuity and power of innovation that has been released without Basel III und Solvency II restrictions?
Our program has been set-up in collaboration with LivingLab, a new-generation African think-tank. We show you what one of digital Africa’s hotspots has to offer. We will visit companies such as M-Pesa and hotspot-institutions as iHub or Gearbox. And we will meet local CEOs and other important decision makers. Additionally, we have also arranged visits to important spots of the city and a safari in Nairobi National Park.
It has really changed my life, at least the perspective on much of what we Europeans think is good, right, meaningful or whatever. What really counts is what locally is considered as appropriate.“
Dr. Markus Griesbeck, Member of the Executive Board, Crespel & Deiters Group, Germany
What will you get from it?
- Insights into a different digital transformation
- Access to agile people and organizations
- Starting points for further contacts and cooperation
- Ideas and Concepts for access to new markets
- Indications of what the next market disruptions can be
- Understanding new approaches of collaborations
- New insights and understanding of Africa’s relevance
What makes this Learning Journey different?
Our Learning Journey comes before you go on a classical business mission:
| LEARNING JOURNEY | Classical business mission |
| Joint experiencing of local reality and developing local knowledge and insights | Presenting and collecting information |
| Planned contacts and serendipity contacts | Getting planned contacts |
| Emerging of new business ideas, value propositions, business models, and partnerships | Role-out of certain products or services |
| “test-and-learn” | “plan-and-implement” |
Peer group – Changes need a fresh look to the outside and from the outside.
The group consists of entrepreneurial thinking people. Joint development of knowledge and ideas is important to us. Hans Stoisser and his local partners provide additional inputs.
Program
| Monday | Theme of the day: APPROACHING |
| Morning | “Silicon Savannah: A new Africa breaks free” Pitches and Talks from Nairobi business people |
| Afternoon | Field visits to successful Start-ups – ENERGYTECH |
| Evening | Dinner with Nairobi business people |
| Tuesday | Theme of the day: DIGITAL AFRICA |
| Morning | “The mobile economy – access to communication and money” Field visit to Safaricom/M-Pesa – FINTECH Field visit to Nairobi’s first open-access makers’ space |
| Afternoon | Field visits to Nairobi’s co-working spaces like iHub Field visit to investors platform |
| Evening | free evening |
| Wed’day | Theme of the day: URBAN AFRICA |
| Morning | “21st century entrepreneurship: A huge demand meets the networked global society” Reading and discussion with artists and thinkers Field visits EDUTECH and HEALTHTECH |
| Afternoon | Local tour to Kibera, Nairobi’s biggest informal settlement |
| Evening | “Building the plane while flying“ – NextAfrica Networking Seminar |
| Thursday | Theme of the day: CO-CREATION |
| Morning | Experiencing: train ride with Madaraka Express German companies in Kenya China in Africa |
| Afternoon | Synthesis: “New African-European relations: Co-Creation” Visit Nairobi National Park End of program at 6.30pm |
| Fr/Sa | optional: 2-day Safari to one of Kenya’s famous National Parks |
Who should join us on the Learning Journey?
1. CEOs, CIOs.
2. Business angels and incubators.
3. Decision-makers in the fields of politics, business, technology, development cooperation and migration.
When and how much?
Next journey:
Monday to Thursday, February 21 to 24, 2022
Individual travel to Nairobi on Sunday before.
We start on Monday at 9am and end on Thursday at 6pm.
Booking before Jun 30th, 2020: EUR 2.400,– plus 20% VAT
Booking before November 30th, 2020: EUR 2.900,– plus 20% VAT
Booking after November 30th, 2020: EUR 3.400,– plus 20% VAT
The fee includes a program of lectures, company and field visits, a 4-night stay in a 4-star hotel in Nairobi, a city tour. Travel to and from Nairobi is not included.
What people who participated say
The Learning Journey has been an outstanding experience! The selection of companies and people we met was truly amazing – from urban to digital to entrepreneurial Kenya. It felt like decades of experience condensed in just a few days. There is just so much going on right now in Kenya – a living lab in itself and we had a chance to grasp this spirit. The trip has definitely inspired me – to learn more and go back.“
a.o.Univ.Prof. Dr. Barbara Stöttinger, Dean WU Executive Academy, Vienna
I knew Kenya already very well. But in this Journey I have really got to know another side. I want to become a facilitator for serious European business engagement in Africa.“
Florian Demmer, Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Coolibree GmbH, Austria
I’ve been touring the world’s Innovation Hot Spots for many years. The Silicon Savannah Journey was the best I’ve experienced so far. There are few regions that are so diverse and have such an enormous potential. Experiencing the innovative power of digital Africa has touched me deeply.”
Stephan Grabmeier, Chief Innovation Officer, Kienbaum und Partner GmbH – Kienbaum Consultants International, Germany
I only knew the promoted program and that was already very good. But the reality then has exceeded my expectations many times! Best Learning Journey ever – strong impact on my life.“
Bernhard Hoetzl, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of kompany.com, Managing Partner of funkensprung.com
Enhancement of knowledge, fascinating ideas, exciting travel colleagues, start of new ideas ….“
Roland Tscheinig, CEO, OBJENTIS Software Integration GmbH
My expectations have been completely exceeded – such a diversity and variety of topics and encounters could not have been expected. I am very impressed by Kenya and its dedicated people.“
Jutta Jakobi, Deutsche Messe AG
Dear Mr. Stoisser, … as a diplomat, I see myself as an “interpreter between cultures” – and you do it in the private sector, you have your target audience which you know and which trusts you. I would like to support you and your partners in exploring these possibilities, opening doors, taking advantage of opportunities – and, if necessary, averting dangers.”
Dr. Christian Fellner, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in Kenya
Who is behind the journey?
Hans Stoisser (author of “The Black Tiger – what we can learn from Africa“) and Karin Krobath have joined forces to create this program. They have two things in common: They are both management consultants and both are passionate about African countries. Hans brings his expertise as a Malik-Associate and extensive experience in African countries. Karin brings her passion for brand positioning, innovation culture and empowerment together with honorary board functions for Light for the World.
Organizer:
NextAfrica – We bring together purpose-driven organizations from Africa and Europe to collaborate and co-create.
NextAfrica is powered by:
ECOTEC makes collaboration in Emerging Countries work.
– We bring together many years of entrepreneurial experiences with companies and organizations at the interface between Europe and Africa.
IDENTIFIRE specializes on Employer Branding and Corporate Culture. Clarity on brands and strategy and focus on innovations are essential.
The Living Lab at the University of Nairobi is a co-creative space for researchers and experts who have a common interest in sustainable urban change.
NextAfrica’s partners are:
Stephan Grabmeier is Purpose Innovation Contributor for sustainable business transformation, New Work and innovation.
Code of Africa – Our heart beats for building a business bridge between tech talents in East Africa and the demand for IT services in Europe.
You are welcome to contact us:
Hans Stoisser, hans.stoisser@ecotec.at, +43 676 9200200
Karin Krobath, karin.krobath@identifire.at, +43 699 1077 6611
More information:
Report from the Learning Journey in January 2018
Report from Learning Journey in January 2019