NextAfrica Online-Workshop

The WU Executive Academy and NextAfrica/Ecotec partner for this Immersion Mission to Nairobi in July 2026.

For the third time, we are organising an Immersion Mission to Kenya. Following successful missions in February 2022 and January 2023, Ecotec GmbH is once again hosting a study trip for participants of the Global Executive MBA program at the WU Executive Academy.

The WU Executive Academy is part of WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), one of the largest universities of business and economics in Europe.

Why Kenya?

Kenya is the economic powerhouse of East Africa, with a population of over 50 million people and a highly skilled, youthful workforce. In 2007, mobile money was invented in Kenya, making global history. Today, mobile money is a foundational technology for start-ups across the continent—particularly in sectors such as energy, logistics, healthcare, finance, and beyond.

Our Immersion Mission focuses on connecting key Kenyan innovators, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers with highly motivated international managers and entrepreneurs, fostering mutual learning, partnerships, and long-term collaboration.

Program

Monday

APPROACHING

Morning

Introduction
Academic Lecture on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa

Afternoon

Presentations and introductions to the design challenges by local companies

Evening

Welcome Reception

Tuesday

DIGITAL AFRICA

Morning

Introduction to Silicon Savannah
The history of Mobile Money as a foundational technology

Afternoon

Visiting startups and local companies

Evening

free evening

Wednesday

DIGITAL AFRICA

Morning

Presentations by local startups

Afternoon

Visiting startups and local companies
Time for group work
Optional: Visiting Nairobi National Park

Evening

free evening

Thursday

URBAN AFRICA

Morning

Academic Lecture on urbanisation in Africa
Visit to an informal settlement

Afternoon

Visiting startups and local companies

Evening

Networking Dinner

Friday

SYNTHESIS

Morning

Collaboration between Kenya and the world
(e.g. visiting German and/or Austrian representatives)

Afternoon

Synthesis
Presentation of the results of design challenges by participant groups

Sa/Su

optional:
2-day Safari to one of Kenya’s famous National Parks

When?

Next date: Monday to Friday, July 6 to 10, 2026

Individual travel to Nairobi on the Sunday before.
We start on Monday at 8 am and end on Friday at 5 pm.

What people who participated in our Missions say

  • Dear Mr. Stoisser, … as a diplomat, I see myself as an “interpreter between cultures” – and you do it in the private sector, you have your target audience which you know and which trusts you. I would like to support you and your partners in exploring these possibilities, opening doors, taking advantage of opportunities – and, if necessary, averting dangers.”
    Dr. Christian Fellner
    Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in Kenya

  • My expectations have been completely exceeded – such diversity and variety of topics and encounters could not have been expected. I am very impressed by Kenya and its dedicated people.
    Jutta Jakobi
    Deutsche Messe AG

  • I knew Kenya already very well. But in this Journey, I have really got to know another side. I want to become a facilitator for serious European business engagement in Africa.“
    Florian Demmer, Entrepreneur
    Founder and CEO of Coolibree GmbH, Austria

  • The Learning Journey has been an outstanding experience! The selection of companies and people we met was truly amazing – from urban to digital to entrepreneurial Kenya. It felt like decades of experience condensed in just a few days. There is just so much going on right now in Kenya – a living lab in itself and we had a chance to grasp this spirit. The trip has definitely inspired me – to learn more and go back.
    a.o.Univ.Prof. Dr. Barbara Stöttinger
    Dean WU Executive Academy, Vienna

  • I’ve been touring the world’s Innovation Hot Spots for many years. The Silicon Savannah Journey was the best I’ve experienced so far. There are few regions that are so diverse and have such an enormous potential. Experiencing the innovative power of digital Africa has touched me deeply.”
    Stephan Grabmeier
    Zukunfstinstitut GmbH, Germany

  • I only knew the promoted program and that was already very good. But the reality then has exceeded my expectations many times! Best Learning Journey ever – strong impact on my life.
    Bernhard Hoetzl, Entrepreneur 
    Co-Founder of https://www.kompany.com/ , Managing Partner of https://funkensprung.com/de/

  • Enhancement of knowledge, fascinating ideas, exciting travel colleagues, start of new ideas ….
    Roland Tscheinig
    CEO, OBJENTIS Software Integration GmbH

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