In a significant boost to Africa’s burgeoning AI ecosystem, Italy-based Harmonic Innovation Group (HIG) unveiled the Harmonic Africa Startup Acceleration Programme (H-ASAP) during the Nairobi AI Forum 2026, held on February 9-10. The initiative, developed in partnership with the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, aims to provide high-growth African AI startups with essential resources to scale impactful solutions across the continent.
The program was announced amid high-level discussions at the forum, which brought together over 500 stakeholders from governments, private sector players, research institutions, and international organizations. Co-organized by the governments of Kenya and Italy alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event focused on accelerating responsible AI adoption to tackle pressing challenges in climate resilience, food security, education, health, and inclusive economic growth.
Emanuele Spampinato, CEO of Harmonic Innovation Group, emphasized the program’s guiding philosophy during the launch: “At Harmonic Innovation Group we believe that innovation must be ethical, inclusive, sustainable and rooted in culture. Every element of the Harmonic Africa Startup Acceleration Programme (H-ASAP) embodies these values: from respect for dignity and privacy, to the empowerment of women and young people; from the construction of green infrastructure to the enhancement of Africa’s rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.”
H-ASAP targets high-growth AI startups building deployable, real-world solutions in priority sectors: agriculture, health, education, and energy. Participants will gain access to:
Capital through venture-backed pathways, including connections to an initial €50 million fund supported by partners such as Primo Capital and Harmonic Innovation Group.
Technical assistance and mentorship to refine AI models, ensure ethical deployment, and build scalable infrastructure.
Market access opportunities, including pilot projects, partnerships, and pathways to continental and global expansion.
The program aligns closely with broader efforts like the AI 10 Billion Initiative (co-designed with the African Development Bank), which targets up to $10 billion in mobilization to create as many as 45 million AI-related jobs by 2035 through investments in data infrastructure, talent, and entrepreneurship.
As part of the launch, Harmonic Innovation Group signed partnership agreements with select AI Hub innovators, including Chestify AI (focused on health solutions) and the Africa Compute
Fund (providing compute resources). These deals highlight immediate practical collaborations emerging from the forum.
The initiative reflects Italy’s strategic commitment under the Mattei Plan for Africa, emphasizing equal partnerships, green technologies, and youth empowerment. It also supports the creation of innovation corridors linking Italy, Nairobi, India, and San Francisco, with backing from entities like the Nairobi International Financial Centre.
Experts view H-ASAP as a timely response to Africa’s need for localized AI infrastructure, talent development, and funding—bridging gaps in a global race where the continent risks being left behind without targeted support. By prioritizing ethical, culturally rooted innovation, the program positions African founders to lead solutions tailored to local realities while attracting international investment.
Applications and further details for H-ASAP are expected to roll out in the coming months through the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and Harmonic Innovation Group channels. As Africa accelerates its AI journey, initiatives like this signal growing momentum toward tech sovereignty, job creation, and sustainable development.
For more information, visit the AI Hub for Sustainable Development website or follow updates from UNDP Kenya and Harmonic Innovation Group.
