UK Government-backed initiative introduces coordinated support to improve how African founders access the UK market
London, UK – May 2026: 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 [3]. Powered by the UK–Africa Sandbox and
Ventures 54 [4] 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 [5] 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 www.ukafricasandbox.com/ecosystem-week [6]. 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.
