AfriLabs, the largest network of innovation hubs across Africa, will serve as a strategic partner and participant at the upcoming 5th India-Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from July 17–18, 2025.  

The summit will convene key players from across India and Africa, including government leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders to explore new pathways for innovation, trade, and inclusive development. 

AfriLabs’ involvement reflects its commitment to strengthening cross-continental collaboration and unlocking global opportunities for African innovation hubs. Represented by our Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, AfriLabs will spotlight Africa’s growing innovation ecosystem while advancing conversations around capital access, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. 

On Day 1 of the summit, Thursday 17th July 2025, Anna Ekeledo will speak on a high-level panel titled “Building Scale: How Government, Capital & Networks can enable the Next Generation of High-Impact Ventures,” scheduled from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. She will be speaking alongside Vipul Parekh, Co-Founder of BigBasket, and Dr. Tonny Mwansa, CEO of the Kenya Innovation Agency. The session will be moderated by Anirudh Damani. This conversation will explore the vital roles that networks like AfriLabs, policy frameworks, and investment ecosystems play in scaling transformative ventures across emerging markets. 

“This summit connects two dynamic regions shaping the future of innovation,” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs. “Strategic partnerships like these open doors to new resources, connections, and possibilities that are critical for scaling African-led solutions.” 

AfriLabs’ engagement at the summit aligns squarely with its strategic vision, one that prioritizes global cooperation, resource mobilization, and innovation diplomacy as central levers for ecosystem growth. The summit provides a powerful platform for: 

• Fostering bilateral and multilateral investment opportunities for African startups and innovation hubs 

• Creating partnerships for shared programming, research, and knowledge exchange between Indian and African hubs 

• Exploring green and digital economy synergies, with an emphasis on climate-smart innovation, digital public infrastructure, and inclusive growth 

• Showcasing Africa’s innovation potential and the critical role hubs play in nurturing local talent, startups, and solutions 

With over 500 member hubs in 53 countries and the diaspora, AfriLabs brings a continent-wide lens to these conversations, ensuring that Africa’s grassroots innovation engines are at the forefront of shaping global development agendas. 

This participation also builds momentum toward AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2025, which will take place in Nairobi from October 7–9, 2025. The Annual Gathering is the largest pan-African convening of innovation hubs, development partners, governments, startups, and private sector players. This year’s theme will center on “Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships & Progress.” 

Together, these two major events signal Nairobi’s growing importance as a continental and global hub for innovation diplomacy and entrepreneurial exchange. 

With AfriLabs participating in the India-Africa Summit in July and convening the Annual Gathering in October, Nairobi stands out as a focal point for Africa’s innovation leadership in 2025. These convenings will catalyze partnerships, unlock investment flows and amplify the voices of Africa’s innovation ecosystem on the global stage,” added Anna 

As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, so must solutions. The 5th India-Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit is a powerful demonstration of the potential of South-South cooperation, where shared priorities in digital transformation, youth empowerment, sustainability, and entrepreneurship become catalysts for inclusive growth. 

AfriLabs is committed to ensuring that African innovation hubs are in this dialogue but central players, solution architects, and collaborators in shaping a future that works for all. 

To learn more about AfriLabs’ work in strengthening Africa’s innovation ecosystem and explore opportunities for collaboration, visit www.afrilabs.com. If you’d like to connect with us during the summit or schedule a meeting, reach out via comms@afrilabs.com,  we’d love to engage with you.