Nairobi Tech Events: What's Happening This Week (May 4–10, 2026)

Last week we were swimming in policy and venture capital at the Connected Africa and AVCA summits. This week, the energy shifts to the frontlines - fintech's most-watched stages: SME resilience, and the next generation of robotics. Whether you are navigating cross-border payment stacks or auditing the robotics solutions of the future, you've got to see this.

Grab your laptop; here is your roadmap for the week.

Africa Fintech Live 2026 will be happening on Thursday, May 7th

Landing in Nairobi for the first time as part of the pan-African Africa Tech Series, this is the continent's most-watched payments and fintech summit. The day runs multiple content stages covering everything from fraud prevention and digital currencies to embedded finance and open banking. What to expect: Pitch competitions, dedicated networking lounges, and deep dives into the financial stack. Time: Thursday, May 7, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EAT Location: Sarit Expo Centre, Westlands Register: Secure Early Bird Pricing

Built for Africa: Free Business Breakfast will be happening on Friday, May 8th

Uzapoint is hosting a practical session for entrepreneurs and SME owners focused on operational digitization. With partners like GTCO and DigiTax, the morning covers the "boring but vital" stuff—eTIMS compliance, cash flow management, and data analytics. Who Should Attend: Founders, SME owners, and operators scaling local businesses. Time: Friday, May 8, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EAT Location: Olive Gardens Hotel, Hurlingham Register: Join the Session

WITIA Creative Show 2026 will be happening on Friday, May 8th

Women in Technology and Innovation Africa (WITIA) is bridging the gap between tech and the arts. This show features creative tech demos and art installations, making it the perfect room to expand your network beyond the traditional developer circles. What to expect: Cultural performances, digital art installations, and design-tech showcases. Time: Friday, May 8, 8:30 AM EAT Location: Safari Park Hotel, Thika Road Register: Check the Showcase

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Kenya — Nationals will be happening on Saturday, May 9th

Organised by STEAM Interactive Global, the national finals see student teams presenting AI and robotics solutions to real-world challenges. It’s a glimpse into what the next generation of Kenyan builders is currently cooking up. Who Should Attend: Edtech founders, mentors, and hardware enthusiasts. Time: Saturday, May 9, 9:00 AM EAT Location: Ngara West, Nairobi Register: RSVP for the Finals

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Coming up next

The middle of May is looking heavy on architecture and infrastructure. We are tracking the International Conference on Software Architecture (May 21) and even KBCC (Kenya Bitcoin and Crypto Confrence).

Nairobi’s strength is in these spaces where the code meets the community. Use this week to find your next fintech partner, audit some robotics, and keep building.

Catch you at Sarit or Hurlingham?

Know an event we missed? DM us on X @techriftafrica