SIBC East Africa Backs 48 Energy Startups Across 5 Countries as Investors Gather in Nairobi
Updated
Updated · citizen.digital · May 31
SIBC East Africa Backs 48 Energy Startups Across 5 Countries as Investors Gather in Nairobi
3 articles · Updated · citizen.digital · May 31
SIBC East Africa said its Energy Transition program is currently supporting 48 entrepreneurs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia, with Nairobi hosting a key gathering of investors, diplomats and technical partners.
The six-month program targets clean cooking, renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access, pairing startups with mentorship, technical training, investor links and regional networks to help them scale.
The Nairobi bootcamp is a milestone before the Africa Forward Summit 2026, where participating entrepreneurs are set to meet policymakers, ecosystem actors and potential business partners.
AFD Group and French officials joined the event as organizers framed Africa's energy transition as both a climate priority and an economic opportunity requiring stronger financing and regional collaboration.
Launched in 2017, SIBC has supported more than 400 entrepreneurs across Africa and has expanded beyond East Africa into North Africa and the Caribbean.
Is France's support for African startups genuine aid or a soft power play for its own energy and defense interests?
Africa has $4 trillion in local capital, so why does 80% of its startup funding still come from abroad?
2026 SIBC Nairobi Bootcamp: Accelerating 400+ Clean Energy Entrepreneurs for East Africa’s Sustainable Future
Overview
The 2026 Nairobi Bootcamp marked a major milestone for East Africa’s clean energy future, bringing together entrepreneurs from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. As part of the Social & Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC) East Africa “Energy Transition” program, the bootcamp focused on supporting startups in clean cooking, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy access. Through technical training, investor connections, and business support, SIBC helps these innovators become investment-ready and scale their impact. Since 2017, SIBC has nurtured hundreds of social and environmental entrepreneurs, driving business growth and measurable progress across the continent.