Latitude59 Kenya Kicks Off In Nairobi

Latitude59, the flagship start-up and tech event from Estonia, which also hosts international editions in Singapore and Cape Town, kicked off in Nairobi. It was officially opened by Daniel Schaer, the Ambassador-at-Large for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Henriette Geigeris, European Union Ambassador to Kenya, and Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in Kenya.

The third edition of Latitude59 satellite event in Nairobi brought together 2,500 participants, including almost 500 start-up representatives and close to 200 investors from 50 different countries worldwide.

This year’s event focuses on accelerating Africa’s next wave of innovation through Digital and Green Innovation. The programme is designed to connect African founders with global capital, expertise, and networks while enabling policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders to co-create solutions for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centred digital transformation.

William Kabogo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Kenya, described Latitude59 as a bridge between ecosystems, capital, and ideas. “Latitude59 represents an opportunity for Kenya and Estonia to work together through digital partnerships driven by shared values and practical cooperation. As we begin this year’s programme, I encourage everyone to explore new connections, test ideas, and imagine possibilities that extend far beyond borders.”

In his opening remarks, H.E. Daniel Schaer, Ambassador at Large for Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, said that “Estonia is in Kenya and we are here to stay. We are coming to cooperate, co-create and learn from you.”

Over the course of two days, about 100 speakers will be on stage at Latitude59 in Kenya. One of the standout sessions at this year’s event will be Taavi Kotka, one of the architects behind Estonia’s digital transformation, who will unpack how Estonia became an IT and start-up superpower, and Dr Myriam Sidibé, a global leader in public health and social impact, who will speak on unlocking inclusive and sustainable growth through innovation.

Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59, said, “We are not only in Kenya. We are building a global village. Coming from Estonia, a country of 1.3 million people, we understand the power of collaboration and how every connection matters. The idea of a global village reflects what we in Africa call ubuntu — the understanding that we are all interconnected. Every ecosystem has its own strengths, and our mission is to bring them together so that solutions built locally can grow globally.”