Enabling Africa's Innovation Ecosystem
AfriLabs is the beating heart of Africa’s startup ecosystem, uniting 500+ innovation hubs across 53 African countries to empower entrepreneurs with the skills, funding, and networks they need to scale. Through programs and initiatives with our global partners, we provide critical resources that turn groundbreaking ideas into market-ready solutions. By fostering policy advocacy, cross-border collaboration, and investor engagement, AfriLabs is unlocking Africa’s innovation potential and shaping the next generation of tech-driven businesses.
Unlocking Potential, Igniting Innovation
AfriLabs is a dynamic innovation-focused organization empowering and building a community around innovation hubs and other stakeholders across various African countries.
Through active involvement with these hubs and their communities, we actively contribute to cultivating innovators and entrepreneurs, ultimately driving economic growth and social development throughout Africa.
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering remains Africa’s premier platform for innovation, collaboration, and digital transformation. In 2024, Cape Town hosted the 9th edition under the theme “Uniting Innovation,” bringing together 2,000+ participants from 50+ countries. Reflecting on the event, Hon. Jane Sithole, Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, South Africa, emphasized:
“Collaboration across borders is the key to unlocking Africa’s shared prosperity and innovation-driven future.”
Looking ahead, the 10th AfriLabs Annual Gathering (AAG 2025) will take place from October 7-9 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships, and Progress.” As Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” Nairobi provides the perfect stage for discussions on policy, investment, and digital transformation.
Join us as we shape Africa’s innovation future.
AfriLabs 10 Year Strategic Plan & Policy Pathways
Our Strategic Plan for 2021 - 2031
We are building the future of Africa today, laying the foundation for a thriving innovation economy in the continent.
Policy Pathways
Our comprehensive approach empowers governments to shape innovation-friendly policies and regulations, supporting startups and entrepreneurs throughout the continent.
Platforms & Initiatives
RevUp Women
RevUp Women Initiative is an enterprise development initiative for early-stage women-led businesses in Africa, designed to accelerate businesses into profitable & sustainable ventures that can stimulate the creation of jobs on the continent.
Catalytic Africa
The Catalytic Africa Programme, a joint initiative by AfriLabs and African Business Angels Network (ABAN), raises funds from institutional partners to create a co-investment pool which serves as a matching fund to encourage investment in viable AfriLabs-affiliated startups by verified angel investors.
AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP)
This programme is designed to equip technology hubs with the skills needed to improve their ability and capacity to support the growing number of startups and MSMEs in their communities across Africa. The programme is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) through the Digital Africa seed fund.
Our Progress in the Past Decade
Impacted innovators and innovation enablers across multiple sectors
Value of implemented incentives
Project involvement across the continent to support programmes in communities in all 5 regions in Africa and globally.
% of projects supported were women focused
Join AfriLabs Community
Join our innovation ecosystem today and become part of a community dedicated to shaping the future of Africa!
AfriLabs Connect
Connecting The African Innovation Ecosystem
AfriLabs Connect is a dynamic platform that is dedicated to catalyzing the growth and transformation of the African technology ecosystem.
AfriLabs Connect mission is to empower innovators, startups, and stakeholders, fostering collaboration that not only accelerates progress within Africa but also contributes to a sustainable global future.
Working Mothers Guide
As the African Tech and Innovation ecosystem matures the workforce within it matures alongside it. This means that young working mothers now make up a large percentage of the workforce. So it goes without saying that understanding their needs and career goals are an important aspect of doing business today. Working mothers need more than a parental leave policy that lets them stay home (with pay) for a few weeks after the baby comes home. Working mothers want and need policies that are institutionalised to encourage a healthy work-life balance.
Unlock the Pulse of Innovation with AfriLabs & SVIYP
A self-paced investor readiness program
Silicon Valley In Your Pocket help high-potential founders build their startups, achieve traction and become investor-ready. The investor readiness evaluation framework empower the global community and can make connections with a network of 300+ angel investors, VC’s, and strategic partners.
News & Updates
7 Thématiques, 1 Avenir : Le AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2025 prépare la Renaissance de l’Innovation Africaine Réservez votre place…
7 Tracks, 1 Future: AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2025 Sets the Stage for Africa’s Innovation Renaissance Secure your spot at…
AU-EU Innovation Agenda – What This Means for the Continent and Why AfriLabs Is at the Centre of It…
Members Feedback
As a Hub manager, AfriLabs provides me with direct learning tools to foster robust businesses and empower entrepreneurs for the 4th industrial revolution. The networking opportunities and small group interactions are invaluable in building hub capacity. Grateful to the AfriLabs Network!
Our affiliation with AfriLabs has been a game-changer for us, one of West Africa's leading incubators. Connecting across Africa has led to strategic partnerships, enabling us to scale our impact. Through AfriLabs, we've gained networking opportunities, capacity building support, and valuable exposure, showcasing our work on a global scale.
AfriLabs significantly boosted my capacity through their training, including the AfriLabs Learning Week. As a hub, we gained valuable experience and secured grants through various AfriLabs initiatives. Moreover, AfriLabs exposed us to the world, resulting in increased visibility. Thank you, AfriLabs!
Since joining the AfriLabs network in 2020, we have had a memorable experience hosting the Rollo Africa boot camp. This program has been a valuable addition to our community, and we eagerly look forward to hosting it again. Being part of the AfriLabs network has been a great privilege, and we are excited to continue our membership.
Hub Spotlight
Ventures Park
Ventures Park is a community-driven hub that’s home to entrepreneurs and talents who are solving Africa’s most difficult challenges. The Park supports these people by providing infrastructure and support for co-working, incubation, and acceleration with access to mentorships, funding, and markets
Our Partners & Supporters
