Estonia’s Latitude59 3rd Edition Satellite Event Kicks off in Nairobi, Forging a New Path For European-African Digital Cooperation
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 5 –Latitude59, Estonia’s premier startup and technology event known for its international editions in Singapore and Cape Town has officially kicked off its Nairobi edition.
The event, which aims to connect the global startup community with the growing African tech ecosystem was inaugurated by a high-level delegation including Daniel Schaer, the Ambassador-at-Large for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Henriette Geiger, the 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 brings together 2500 participants, including almost 500 startup representatives Nearly 200 investors, In total it draws participants from 50 different countries across the globe.
This year’s event focuses on accelerating Africa’s next wave of innovation through Digital and Green Innovation.
The program 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.
“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”, said Liisi Org, Chief Executive Officer Latitude59.
“Every ecosystem has its own strengths, and our mission is to bring them together so that solutions built locally can grow globally”.
H.E Daniel Schaer, Ambassador at Large for Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia in his opening remarks said that “Estonia is in Kenya and are here to stay We are coming to cooperate, co-create and learn from you”.
Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in 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 program, I encourage everyone to explore new connections, test ideas, and imagine possibilities that extend far beyond borders,” He said.
Over the course of two days, almost 100 speakers will be on stage at Latitude59 in Kenya with 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 startup superpower and Dr. Myriam Sidibé, a global leader in public health and social impact will speak on unlocking inclusive and sustainable growth through innovation.
Additionally, Latitude59 Kenya 2025 is delivered in cooperation with ESTDEV through its participation in the Digital and Green Innovation (DGI) Programme, part of the European Union’s D4D Hub Twin Transition Team Europe Initiative.
The 13th edition, held in Tallinn, Estonia in May, attracted over 3,500 participants, including more than 900 startup representatives and 20 national delegations. Nearly 700 investors participated this year 170 speakers could be seen on Latitude59’s stages. In total, there were participants from more than 70 different countries worldwide.
This year’s programme is delivered in cooperation with several other strategic partners, including Civitta, Smart Africa, Belva, KOOD, the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS) and Fienta, Latitude59 is the flagship startup and tech event of the world’s first digital nation, Estonia.
