14–17 July 2026 · Gaborone, Botswana

Dream Bold. Build Beyond Borders.

Name: Innovation & Capital Investment Week 2026
Start: 2026-07-14
End: 2026-07-17
Location: Gaborone, Botswana

ICIW 2026 is a private sector-led platform officially endorsed by the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, bringing together multiple stakeholders from Botswana and across Africa to accelerate investment, industrialisation, enterprise growth, and market access.

The week features four strategic forums culminating in the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale, the winner will compete for a place at the Global Finals in Silicon Valley, USA, and the opportunity to compete for a amazing grand US$1 million investment prize.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Innovation & Capital Investment Week emblem

Forums

700+

Delegates

20+

Sectors

4 days

Of programming

Watch

Startup World Cup 2026 Trailer

Startup World Cup Botswana 2026

Meet the Top 10 Qualified Companies

Ten Botswana ventures earned their place at the Regional Finale each carrying a shot at representing Botswana on the Global Finals stage in Silicon Valley.

Smart Vegetech
Qualified
TiroStamp
Qualified
Fusion Attire
Qualified
OrionX
Qualified
Forechem 05 Solutions
Qualified
Avolv
Qualified
First-Aid Counselling
Qualified
Heavenly Mothers
Qualified
Hekhani Seeds
Qualified
Masuku Gold
Qualified

Explore Innovation & Capital Investment Week 2026

One week. Four forums. Endless opportunity.

14–17 July 2026 · Gaborone, Botswana. Dive into the programme and decide how you want to take part.

About the Week

Botswana's flagship innovation and investment week convened in Gaborone by Thrive Development Initiative.

Read about the event

Four Forums and a reginonal pitch competition

Mining & Energy, Health & One Health, Entrepreneurship, Media engagement and the Startup World Cup Regional Finale.

Explore our forums

Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale.

Visit Startup World Cup

Attend

Delegate passes, exhibition space and group bookings. Complete the short registration to reserve.

Start delegate registration 5 programme tracks across 14–17 July 2026.

The week, in motion

Convening

Botswana's flagship innovation and capital investment week

Four days of forums, exhibitions and dealmaking designed to move ideas from stage to scale.

0107

Guest speakers

Meet the voices shaping ICIW 2026

Renowned international industry leaders and professionals joining us in Gaborone.

Guest Speaker - Official Opening Address

Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima

Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship

“Dream Bold. Build Beyond Borders.”

16 July 2026

Keynote Speaker

Judy Zakreski

Senior Vice President, Global Operations & Solutions - International Code Council

“How Standards, Quality Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Unlock Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth.”

14 July 2026

Speaker / Technical Moderator

Nancy Kgengwenyane

Environmental & Natural Resources Lawyer · Senior Associate, InnoLead Consulting

“From Climate Finance to Investment: Financing Botswana's Energy Transition.”

14 July 2026

Speaker / Technical Moderator

Dr Mareledi Gina Maswabi

Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser - CCFAH, Sri Lanka

“From Climate Finance to Investment: Financing Botswana's Energy Transition.”

14 July 2026

Speaker / Technical Moderator

Keleadile Ruda

Founder & Renewable Energy Engineer - Women In Energy Botswana (WinE)

“Inclusive Innovation: Powering Botswana's Competitive Energy Future.”

14 July 2026

Speaker

Dr Keith Nkomo

Founder and CEO - Salutem Group

“Health Insurance & InsurTech: Expanding Access, Strengthening Sustainability and Financing Botswana's Health & Bio-Economy.”

15 July 2026

Technical Moderator

Tapiwa Moffat

CEO of Smartlink Innovators · Founder of Formal.ai

“Entrepreneur's Journey.”

15 July 2026

Technical Moderator

Dr Bokwena Moali

Deputy Council Secretary - Primary Health Care (Okavango District)

“Building Resilient Communities: One Health, Primary Health Care and Health Security as Catalysts for Botswana's Health and Bio Economy.”

15 July 2026

Sponsors & Partners

Powered by a coalition shaping Botswana's next chapter.

Innovation & Capital Investment Week 2026 is made possible by visionary sponsors, ecosystem builders and mission-driven partners across Botswana and beyond.

Headline partners