AfriLabs today announced the launch of a leadership transition process to appoint its next Executive Director, marking a defining moment in the organisation’s evolution and its mission to advance Africa’s innovation and technology ecosystems at scale.

This transition comes at a time of unprecedented growth and influence for AfriLabs. The appointment of the next Executive Director will play a critical role in shaping the organisation’s strategic direction, continental relevance, and global impact over the next decade.

Guided by its core values of integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration, and shared ownership, AfriLabs has designed a transition process that reflects both the strength of its governance and the depth of its community.

Honouring a Legacy of Visionary Leadership

This moment also provides an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary leadership of AfriLabs’ outgoing Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, whose tenure has been instrumental in transforming AfriLabs into the continent’s most expansive and influential innovation network.

Under her stewardship, AfriLabs has:

• Grown from just over 40 member hubs to more than 520 innovation hubs across 53 African countries, establishing itself as the largest pan-African innovation network.

• Strengthened governance systems and institutional frameworks to support long-term sustainability, transparency, and accountability.

• Built strategic partnerships with governments, development and multilateral institutions, academia, and the private sector.

• Elevated AfriLabs’ global profile as a thought leader shaping Africa’s innovation narrative on international stages.

• Launched flagship programmes, platforms, and convenings that empower entrepreneurs, hubs, and innovation ecosystems across the continent.

• Catalysed startup investment and financing for innovation-driven development.

• Contributed to policy dialogue and influenced the adoption of enabling startup and innovation policies across Africa.

• Driven the development of AfriLabs’ long-term moonshot: a bold vision for the network’s role in catalyzing a contribution of a trillion dollars to Africa’s digital economy.

In recognition of her enduring contributions and to ensure continuity during this transition, Anna Ekeledo will continue to support AfriLabs through its Advisory Council, providing strategic guidance and institutional memory.

A Governance-Led, Community-Anchored Transition

The selection of AfriLabs’ next Executive Director is being guided by a Transition Committee, working in close collaboration with the AfriLabs Board. The Committee comprises trustees, current and former board members, and community representatives reflecting AfriLabs’ long-standing commitment to shared leadership and collective stewardship.

Together, the Board and Transition Committee are overseeing a structured, credible, and values-driven process designed to identify a leader who can build on AfriLabs’ strong foundation while boldly advancing its future ambitions.

Rather than focusing solely on continuity, this transition is intentionally forward-looking. AfriLabs is seeking leadership that can:

• Deepen the organisation’s continental impact,

• Strengthen its global partnerships and influence,

• Champion African innovation on the world stage, and

• Steward the organisation toward its long-term moonshot for inclusive, innovation-led development across Africa.

Looking Ahead

The Executive Director recruitment process is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with AfriLabs committed to transparent communication as key milestones are reached. The organisation views this transition not simply as a leadership change, but as a collective step toward its next chapter of growth, relevance, and impact.

“This transition represents both continuity and renewal,” AfriLabs noted. “It is an opportunity to honour what has been built, while inviting the leadership that will carry AfriLabsand Africa’s innovation ecosystems into the future.”

AfriLabs thanks its members, partners, and ecosystem leaders for their continued trust and engagement and looks forward to shaping the next chapter together.

About AfriLabs

AfriLabs is the largest pan-African network of innovation hubs, supporting entrepreneurs and innovators across Africa through capacity building, partnerships, policy engagement, and ecosystem development.

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AfriLabs Announces Leadership Transition as It Prepares for Its Next Decade of Impact

AfriLabs has announced the launch of a leadership transition process to appoint its next Executive Director, marking a pivotal moment in the organisation’s growth and long-term mission to advance Africa’s innovation and technology ecosystems.

The appointment will shape AfriLabs’ strategic direction and continental influence over the next decade. The transition process is being guided by the AfriLabs Board, working alongside a dedicated Transition Committee comprising trustees, current and former board members, and community representatives, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to strong governance, transparency, and shared ownership.

This moment also celebrates the remarkable legacy of Anna Ekeledo, AfriLabs’ outgoing Executive Director, whose leadership has transformed the organisation into the continent’s most expansive innovation network. Under her stewardship, AfriLabs grew from just over 40 member hubs to more than 520 hubs across 53 African countries, strengthened its governance and institutional frameworks, driven the development of AfriLabs’ long-term moonshot: a bold vision for the network’s role in catalyzing a contribution of a trillion dollars to Africa’s digital economy, expanded strategic partnerships with governments and global institutions, elevated Africa’s innovation voice on the world stage, and launched flagship programmes, platforms, and convenings that empower entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystems across the continent.

To ensure continuity, Anna Ekeledo will continue to support AfriLabs through its Advisory Council, providing strategic guidance and institutional memory during the transition.

Looking ahead, AfriLabs is seeking visionary, values-driven leadership capable of scaling impact, deepening continental relevance, and advancing the organisation’s long-term ambition for inclusive, innovation-led development across Africa. The Executive Director recruitment process is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with updates shared transparently as milestones are reached.

“This transition represents both continuity and renewal,” AfriLabs stated. “It is about honouring what has been built while positioning AfriLabs and Africa’s innovation ecosystems for an even more ambitious future”.