EP45: Unlocking Africa's Agritech and Climate Innovation: Insights from Novastar Ventures

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2026, this episode features Mukami Wairaina, Associate Investment Director at Novastar Ventures. Novastar Ventures is a venture capital firm backing planet-positive, people-centered businesses solving mass-market problems across Africa's agriculture and climate sectors. In this conversation, Mukami unpacks the continent's vast untapped agricultural potential - including the 60% of arable land still uncultivated - and the challenges smallholder farmers face, from costly inputs to steep post-harvest losses. The discussion also covers how integrated digital platforms, climate risk insurance, and circular-economy innovations like biodigesters are building more resilient agritech businesses, plus why local currency debt, diverse funding, and stronger exit markets are key to sustaining the sector's growth. Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media. For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.