African founders in UK get new platform to pitch, raise capital, build partnerships

African founders, technology professionals and investors operating between the United Kingdom and Africa are set to gain a new platform for raising capital, building partnerships and expanding into new markets as TN Naija announces Connect & Ignite 2026 (CXI’26).

The one-day conference and evening social, scheduled for August 29 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, is designed to bring together founders, engineers, operators, investors and other technology professionals working across the UK–Africa corridor.

Organisers expect more than 400 participants at the event, which carries the theme, “Unlocking Opportunities Across Borders.”

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According to TN Naija, the gathering is intended to move beyond conventional networking by creating opportunities for participants to pitch businesses, identify investors and partners, explore market-entry opportunities and build relationships that can translate into cross-border commercial activity.

“The corridor is the community, where deals happen, markets are entered, and careers are built across borders,” Dele Bakare, director, TN Naija, said.

The event comes as African technology entrepreneurs increasingly operate across multiple markets, with the UK serving as an important destination for African founders, investors and technology professionals seeking access to capital, talent, customers and international partnerships.

From networking to deal-making

TN Naija said CXI’26 will place practical business outcomes at the centre of the gathering.

The daytime programme, running from 11am to 6pm, will feature an opening keynote and fireside chat focused on the UK–Africa technology corridor, followed by structured huddle sessions addressing issues including fundraising, engineering talent, fintech regulation and cross-border immigration.

The format is intended to give participants opportunities to engage directly around some of the issues affecting founders and professionals trying to build businesses and careers across jurisdictions.

A key feature will be the 60-second founder pitch wall during the evening programme, providing entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their ideas and businesses to other participants.

The event will also feature a “Find Your Co-Founder” matching activity, designed to connect entrepreneurs and technology professionals looking for complementary skills or potential business partners.

Other activities include timed speed-networking rounds and a community input wall.

Investors, ecosystem players targeted

Beyond founders, CXI’26 is expected to attract venture capital firms, corporate sponsors, innovation hubs and other ecosystem enablers seeking direct access to African technology professionals and entrepreneurs operating across the UK–Africa corridor.

For investors, the platform could provide access to founders building businesses with links to African and UK markets, while corporate participants will have an opportunity to position their brands within a specialised technology community.

TN Naija is also offering sponsorship opportunities to organisations seeking brand visibility, strategic positioning and access to potential deal flow within the corridor.

Speaker and partnership opportunities remain open ahead of the event.

Birmingham as the meeting point

TN Naija selected Birmingham as the host city for this year’s conference, citing its growing technology ecosystem and diverse population.

The choice also reflects the organisers’ broader attempt to position the UK–Africa technology corridor as extending beyond London’s established technology and investment networks.

The conference will bring together predominantly Nigerian and other African technology professionals in the UK, alongside participants connected to African markets.

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Recognising corridor builders

CXI’26 will also introduce Corridor Honours, a 90-minute awards session recognising founders, operators, investors and community builders contributing to the development of the UK–Africa technology ecosystem.

The awards are intended to highlight individuals helping to build connections between both markets, from entrepreneurship and investment to technology operations and community development.

The evening programme will continue after the conference with a structured social event rather than a conventional networking reception, with organisers seeking to maintain the focus on meaningful connections.

TN Naija said the overall objective is to create a platform where relationships formed in the UK can translate into opportunities in African markets, while African businesses and professionals can gain access to international capital, expertise and partnerships. Registration for CXI’26 is open through TN Naija’s Connect & Ignite platform.