Benson Ndung’u, CEO KPMG East Africa
The 2025 KPMG Private Enterprise Venture Summit wrapped up in Nairobi with a resounding call for Africa to take charge of its innovation narrative and lead the next wave of global entrepreneurial growth.
The summit brought together a powerful cross-section of African startups, SMEs, venture capitalists, family offices, policymakers, private equity funds, financial institutions, incubators, accelerators, and high-net-worth individuals in a dynamic dialogue focused on investment readiness and homegrown innovation.
Hosted by KPMG East Africa, the summit served as a critical platform for mapping the future of Africa’s venture funding ecosystem and creating strategic connections poised to power the next wave of business growth and global competitiveness.
Benson Ndung’u, CEO of KPMG East Africa, opened the summit with a rallying call for bold ambition and African-driven solutions. Citing Africa’s rapidly growing population—set to be a major global driver of growth by 2050—Ndung’u urged delegates to focus on building scalable, globally competitive African brands.
“We must engage the world from a position of strength, not from instructions,” Ndung’u said. “Africa must not only survive, but thrive.”
He emphasized the pivotal role of technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), in shaping solutions tailored for Africa yet scalable across the globe. “Let’s future-proof our processes,” he added. “For venture capitalists and fund holders, let’s tailor solutions that are fit for Africa but scalable globally.”
Sandeep Main, KPMG Africa’s Tax Partner and Head of Private Enterprisis
Sandeep Main, KPMG Africa’s Tax Partner and Head of Private Enterprisis, reinforced the summit’s core mission, strengthening the ecosystem between investors and investees. He highlighted the abundance of promising startups across the continent and stressed the importance of aligning them with patient, long-term capital.
“There are so many great businesses out there, and our job is to bring them to the table,” Sandeep said.
He encouraged startups to focus not only on scaling but also on fortifying compliance, governance, and transparency structures—factors that are often pivotal for investor confidence.
KPMG’s mentorship programs were also spotlighted as key to preparing early-stage companies for investment. These programs equip entrepreneurs with critical skills to navigate investor expectations and build sustainable enterprises.
A standout moment came from MaryAnn Wambui Musangi, Managing Director of HACO Industries who addressed the specific challenges—and opportunities—for women in enterprise.
She challenged prevailing narratives that African startups fail prematurely, calling them “unfair” and “misleading.”
“Startups face different challenges—access to markets, financing, upskilling—but there are many organizations ready to support them. We must seek them out,” Musangi advised.
MaryAnn Wambui Musangi- Managing Director at HACO Industries
She emphasized the need for networking, mentorship, and especially policy alignment to support business growth. With the 2025/2026 Finance Bill on the horizon, Musangi called for daily engagement with government to ensure a more enabling business environment.
The summit underscored the urgency of coordinated action across sectors to unlock Africa’s full entrepreneurial potential. The atmosphere was charged with optimism and determination as speakers and participants explored models for inclusive innovation, regional expansion, and long-term value creation.
KPMG’s convening power once again demonstrated the importance of collaborative platforms in shaping Africa’s business future.
“Africa should be secure, but we need to seize the moment ourselves,” Ndung’u added
KPMG’s 2025 Venture Summit served as a timely reminder that Africa holds the potential to redefine the global innovation landscape and the time to act is now.