The UK’s Department for Business and Trade – Africa is backing the launch of the UK–Africa Ecosystem Week, the UK’s first coordinated, pan-African support programme delivered during London Tech Week.
Powered by the UK–Africa Sandbox and Ventures 54 in partnership with the UK Department for Business & Trade (DBT), the UK South Africa Tech Hub, the UK Nigeria Tech Hub, London & Partners and the Mayor of London’s office, the initiative marks a new phase in the UK’s emergence as a global launchpad for African technology companies.
The UK-Africa Ecosystem Week introduces a fully structured approach to participation at London Tech Week, one of the world’s largest annual technology gatherings, attracting over 100,000 attendees across more than 500 events.
Founders will be able to benefit from a curated, week-long experience designed to help them access and navigate opportunities more effectively and achieve their business growth goals.
The initiative provides a coordinated support layer across the week, including curated sessions, concierge support, dedicated workspaces and a flagship UK–Africa Ecosystem Day bringing together key market entry stakeholders and the wider UK-Africa tech ecosystem to support African Founders and Delegations in London that week.
Supported by London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s office, London Tech Week, and other ecosystem partners, the initiative builds on several years of ecosystem engagement during London Tech Week. What began as informal community gatherings through the London Africa Network has evolved into structured programming and culminated in last year’s UK–Africa Ecosystem Day. This year marks the next phase, scaling to a full week of support designed to improve how African founders access the UK market.
The initiative architect, Anthony William Catt, Founder of Ventures 54 and UK-Africa Sandbox, said
“We’ve seen a clear increase in the number of African founders coming to London Tech Week to explore the UK market. Over the past four years, we’ve been building support around that, starting with a simple mixer, evolving into full day of programming, and now scaling into a full week of activity. This is about putting the right structure in place, so African founders have a dedicated support track to get the most out of the week and access the best of what the UK has to offer.”
Ben Ainsley, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (Acting) for Africa said:
“As home to one of the world’s largest and fastest growing tech ecosystems, a deep VC pool and unrivalled access to global talent, the UK is a natural next step for ambitious African founders looking to scale internationally. The UK Government is committed to supporting high-growth international companies succeed in the UK and initiatives like the UK–Africa Sandbox demonstrate our focus on making it easier for African founders to access support and fully engage with the UK’s world-class innovation ecosystem.”
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, said:
“London is a global hub for investment and innovation, and our strength comes from our international connections. Following the Mayor of London’s successful trade mission to Africa last year, we continue to see exciting opportunities to deepen partnerships between London and Africa. Initiatives like this to boost our tech ecosystems, launched at London Tech Week, will help us to do just that as we continue to build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Janet Coyle CBE, Managing Director of London & Partners said:
“The launch of the UK-Africa Ecosystem Week emphasises the importance of the channel between London and African ecosystems. We are delighted to bring it into the fold of London Tech Week, an event which highlights London’s role as a Europe’s leading tech hub, driving innovation across industries and connecting the brightest minds from around the globe.”
The UK–Africa Ecosystem Week will welcome delegations and high-growth founders from across Africa, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana.
The week will begin on Sunday 7 June with a welcome reception at Africa Centre and conclude on Wednesday 10 June with the flagship UK–Africa Ecosystem Day and London Africa Network closing mixer.
Participants will receive VIP access and concierge-style support to help tailor their week, alongside access to a dedicated Africa Lounge for meetings, Africa-focused panels and roundtables, and a full day of practical support around UK market entry, investment and commercial expansion opportunities. The programme will also provide exclusive access and discounted tickets to selected Africa-focused events taking place in and around London Tech Week.
Beyond London Tech Week, this feeds into the evolving UK–Africa Sandbox, a year-round pan-African platform designed to support African founders accessing the UK market while also opening pathways for UK scale-ups into African ecosystems.
Building on the foundation established through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK South Africa Tech Hub and UK Nigeria Tech Hub in-country Sandbox programmes, the Sandbox is now expanding into a broader UK-Africa corridor platform, with dedicated support tracks in both South Africa and Nigeria expanding alongside wider pan-African partnership and ecosystem initiatives.
African founders and delegation leads interested in receiving support from the UK Africa Ecosystem Week can register via here.
Organisations and ecosystem partners looking to engage with founders, explore partnerships or support activity during the week are also encouraged to visit the website and connect with the UK–Africa Sandbox team.
