Smart Cities Innovation Programme
Smart Cities Innovation Programme The Smart Cities Innovation Programme (SCIP) is a programme that focuses on the development of solutions for the areas of smart housing, smart mobility, and fintech for the affordability of smart cities with the aim of strengthening local innovation in smart cities and communities and to network these innovations with international business partners. The programme has a pan-African orientation, with a strong base in Rwanda. This increases the chances of receiving high-quality start-ups, whilst strengthening Rwanda as a hub and home for businesses. Therefore – adopting a long-term approach – the core objective of this measure is to foster local, scalable innovations that will ultimately generate jobs in Rwanda and beyond. Features Impact/Result So Far 31 smart city innovators from across Africa were selected for the programme, culled from over 300 applications. 54 participants from the 31 targeted startups were trained in a 5-day virtual bootcamp by 10 experienced experts with the participation of 4 partner organisations (AWS, Siemens, Angaza Capital and Finca Ventures). 31 startups matched with seasoned mentors from within the AfriLabs network and other partner organisations. Learn more.
AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP)
AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP) AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP), A 2m euro, 36-month intensive capacity building programme, is being implemented thanks to Agence Française de Développement (AFD)’s support through the Digital Africa seed fund. The programme aims to strengthen hubs so that they can attract investments and run local and regional impact-driven programs that will support entrepreneurs and startups and contribute to growing the African innovation ecosystem. Features Impact/Result So Far 3,029 of Hub managers and staff trained in the past year on relevant topics ranging from financial management, effective mentoring, preparing their startups to be investment ready and other topics relevant to building successful startups 304 Startups supported through business development trainings, funding, mentoring, digital profiling and other capacity-building activities. Over 200 of them are female-led startups. 4,287 Participants trained, 62.5% being female participants trained and supported through the Virtual Meetup grants activities. 21 out of 29 Hubs that participated in the Capacity Building Awards Programme attracted additional funding. Learn more.
U.S. Department of State and AfriLabs Partner to Address Climate Crisis and Foster Entrepreneurship
Marrakech, Morocco, June 2, 2023 – The United States Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships (E/GP) and AfriLabs signed an MOU at the GITEX Africa event in Marrakech, forging a partnership to address the climate crisis and promote entrepreneurship in Africa. During her speech, Dorothy McAuliffe, Special Representative from the Office of Global Partnerships, described the collaboration with AfriLabs as a significant step toward building 21st-century U.S.-Africa public-private partnerships. Through this collaboration, both organisations aim to support the Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurs (CCE) initiative, which focuses on nurturing startups and entrepreneurs driving climate solutions in developing nations. “We are excited to join forces with the U.S. Department of State in our shared mission to empower entrepreneurs and drive sustainable change,” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs. “This partnership will create opportunities for climate-focused startups in our hub community across Africa to access expertise, capital, and global markets.” Under the MOU, the U.S. Department of State and AfriLabs will collaborate on various programs, including the U.S. Climate Ops and Partnership Opportunity Delegations (PODs), to connect climate entrepreneurs with resources and targeted opportunities. Also, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and BridgeUSA will assist promising climate entrepreneurs. The partnership will focus on four pillars: engagement, expertise, capital, and deployment. By fostering collaboration, providing skills and knowledge, attracting investment, and implementing climate solutions, the partnership aims to make a significant impact. The MOU is effective immediately and will continue until the completion of the partnership goals, with the option for extension. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… For media inquiries, please contact: U.S. Department of State Ashwood Heffern – Heffernja1@state.gov Avery Rodriguez – RodriguezAN2@state.gov AfriLabs Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu – jen@afrilabs.com Joshua Omena – joshua@afrilabs.com About the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the leading foreign affairs agency of the United States government, dedicated to shaping a peaceful and prosperous world. The Office of Global Partnerships fosters public-private collaborations to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. About AfriLabs: AfriLabs, a dynamic community-focused organization has been empowering and nurturing innovation hubs across Africa since 2011. By building capacity, providing capital, networking, and advocating for policy changes, AfriLabs cultivates highly-promising innovators and entrepreneurs in its member hubs’ communities, ultimately driving economic and social growth. In addition to fostering a robust community around these rapidly emerging innovation hubs in Africa, the organization also connects them to other stakeholders in the broader ecosystem, thereby improving the quality of their interventions and contributing to a thriving African innovation economy.
Intel
French Version of AfriLabs Academy to Drive Innovation Support in Francophone Africa
Lubumbashi, DRC – May 12th, 2023 – AfriLabs, the largest association of technology and innovation hubs across Africa, has launched the French version of the AfriLabs Academy during the Ecosystem Event that concluded the AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme workshop at CINOLU, Lubumbashi, DRC. The launch marks a significant milestone in the Association’s efforts to build capacity among Francophone Africa hub managers and staff, entrepreneurship support organisations (ESOs) and other startup support structures. The AfriLabs Academy is an integral part of the AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme, supported by AFD through its Digital Africa Seed Fund. The platform is designed to provide training and management skills to those supporting African startups and MSMEs in their communities. The content on the platform is co-created and certified by Strathmore University, with the platform developed based on a needs assessment undertaken by AfriLabs in 2019 to identify the needs of ESOs and hubs in Africa. Speaking at the launch, Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs, highlighted the importance of the French version of the AfriLabs Academy in supporting French-speaking African Innovation Ecosystems. “The launch of the French version of the AfriLabs Academy marks a significant step in our efforts to ensure that all African innovation communities have access to the resources and tools needed to build the capacity of African startups and MSMEs,” she said. The AfriLabs Academy was first launched in May 2022, and since then, it has provided training and capacity-building support to over 500 hub managers and staff, ESOs and other startup support structures across Africa. With the launch of the French version of the platform, AfriLabs expects to extend its reach and impact even further, building capacity and supporting startups and MSMEs across French-speaking African countries. To learn more about the AfriLabs Academy and the AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme, please visit www.academy.afrilabs.com.
AfriLabs Welcomes 19 New Members, Expanding to Two New Cities
03/05/2023 – AfriLabs, the largest network of technology and innovation hubs in Africa, is pleased to announce the admission of 19 new members to its community. With the addition of these new members, AfriLabs now has a total of 419 members in 52 African countries, including access to two new cities: Sousse in Tunisia and Baidoa in Somalia. As an association, AfriLabs is committed to driving innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent by bringing together technology hubs, startups, investors, and other key stakeholders in the ecosystem. With the addition of these new members, AfriLabs continues to expand its network and strengthen its mission of building a thriving innovation economy in Africa. “We are thrilled to welcome these 19 new members to the AfriLabs community,” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs. “Their inclusion represents our commitment to driving innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent, and we look forward to working with them to achieve our collective goal of building a thriving innovation ecosystem in Africa.” The new members of AfriLabs are: Enroot, Cairo, Egypt, Entrepreneurship Center of Social Impact-ECSI (Heliopolis University), Cairo, Egypt, Ichraf Jarray of Hive 12, Sousse, Tunisia, Soha Amer of Université Senghor (University), Alexandria, Egypt, iZET Hub, Nairobi, Kenya, KHUB, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, WiseHub, Kisumu, Kenya, Antler Foundation Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Knight Ventures (KV Hub), Lagos, Nigeria, Axia Technology and Innovation Hub, Jos, Nigeria, Eridan Group, Lagos, Nigeria, Mainstream Exelient Hub, Jos, Nigeria and Afritech Hub, Tamale, Ghana. Others include: Tech Hub Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe, Acelera Angola, Luanda, Angola, Afrisource Innovation Center, Windhoek, Namibia, Fondation BantuHub, Brazzaville, Congo, IDENTIC Foundacion, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea and LPC Space (Espacio Locos por Cultura), Malabo, Equatorial Guinea Caroline Odera of WiseHub said, “We look forward to more partnerships, learning, and building together as we represent the voices of women and girls from the Lake Victoria region.” Vembe Rajil of Fondation BantuHub added, “By joining AfriLabs, we are delighted to contribute to the growth of innovation and sustainable development on the African continent. Together, we are stronger.” AfriLabs welcomes these new members and looks forward to working with them to create a more sustainable and diverse innovation ecosystem across Africa. For more information about AfriLabs and its members, please visit www.afrilabs.com.
DIGITALL: Empowering Gender Equality in Africa through Innovation and Technology
Credit: AfriLabs Human Resources Department Innovation and technology have become an inseparable part of our lives, revolutionizing the way we interact with the world around us. These tools are no longer just a means to an end, but a vital instrument for tackling real-world problems. In the quest for progress and equality, women have played an indispensable role in driving innovation and technology forward. Despite a historically male-dominated technology industry, women have made significant strides in recent years, breaking down barriers and paving the way for greater gender equality. From the development of new products and services that cater specifically to women’s needs to the creation of algorithms that are fair and unbiased, women have been instrumental in advancing technology and promoting inclusivity. One organization that has recognized the critical role of women in technology is AfriLabs, a pan-African network of technology and innovation hubs. AfriLabs has been working tirelessly to support women-led projects and promote greater diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. Through RevUp Women’s initiative, the organization empowers women in tech by providing mentorship and networking opportunities through innovation hubs that assist them in advancing their careers and businesses. Women have also been instrumental in creating mentorship programs and networks that help other women in tech advance their careers. These initiatives have pushed for greater diversity and inclusivity in the technology industry, breaking down the barriers that have prevented women from achieving their full potential. In addition, women have played a significant role in developing new products and services that cater to women’s needs, such as period tracking apps, fertility tracking devices, and breast pumps. These innovations reflect women’s unique needs and preferences, which have often been overlooked by traditional technology products and services. Finally, women have been at the forefront of advancing the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. AI and machine learning have the potential to promote gender equality and eliminate bias in decision-making processes. Women have developed algorithms that are fair and unbiased and created datasets that are inclusive and diverse, reflecting the real-world population. As we celebrate International Women’s Month, let us recognize the critical role that women play in driving innovation and technology forward. With their unwavering dedication and commitment, women are empowering gender equality and transforming the technology industry. We are rooting for you! Credit: AfriLabs Human Resources Department
Rwanda’s ICT Minister endorses the AfriLabs Annual Gathering
AfriLabs, the largest pan-African network of technology and innovation hubs in Africa is pleased to announce that Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Hon. Paula Ingabire has given her endorsement for the 2023 AfriLabs Annual Gathering (AAG) to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. This came after her tweet last year expressing her excitement when Rwanda won the bid to host this event. In a recent meeting with a team from AfriLabs consisting of Anna Ekeledo – the Executive Director, Steve Tchoumba – an AfriLabs board member, and some other apex staff, the Minister pledged her support for the AAG and expressed her commitment to hosting all stakeholders of the African technology and innovation ecosystem for a series of events, adding that she is ready to showcase the opportunities available to them in Rwanda. “Rwanda is always open to welcome regional and global innovators, and more so to champion critical conversations that unlock forward-looking policies and opportunities for the start-up ecosystem. Our goal is to empower scalable startups that collectively transform our communities with cutting edge innovations,” said Hon. Paula Ingabire. The AAG is AfriLabs’ flagship event which first took place in 2016 in Accra, Ghana, and is held yearly in different cities across the continent. Over the years, it has grown from being just an opportunity to convene the African technology and innovation ecosystem into being an avenue to build African institutions, chart policy pathways and become a vehicle to usher in the next wave of African technology advancement. Through collaboration, stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy and Government engagement, the event has turned into a focal point for change in Africa. To this end, Hon. Ingabire has committed to having further conversations on policy throughout this year that will yield tangible results in the ecosystem. We are also pleased to announce that the theme for this year’s Gathering is “Accelerating Africa’s Digital Economy by the Strength of our Community”, and it is scheduled to take place from the 11th to 13th of October 2023. “AfriLabs appreciates the people, government, and innovation community in Rwanda for the strides they have made in positioning themselves as one of the most progressive countries on the continent. We thank the Honorable Minister for putting her weight behind platforms like the AfriLabs Annual Gathering. We look forward to onboarding more partners as we approach the Gathering. To the entire African innovation ecosystem, see you in Kigali in October,” said Anna Ekeledo during her meeting with the Rwandan Minister of ICT. Registration for the 2023 AfriLabs Annual Gathering has commenced. Secure your spot at www.afrilabsgathering.com.
February Summary
The month of February started on a high note with the commencement of the first session of the AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP) Physical Workshop for 2023. It was a 3- day workshop that was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The workshop aimed at equipping hub managers & staff with the practical knowledge needed to build successful startups. The workshop was funded by AFP through Digital Africa. Learn more about the ACBP here. One highlight of the month was the award of recognition of AfriLabs’ Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo as one of 100 most influential women in Africa in 2022 by Avance Media. We are excited that her efforts in advancing the growth of innovation in Africa are being recognised. Congratulations to her and the entire AfriLabs community. Read about the award here. As a part of our contribution to the growth of innovation in Africa, we provide our community with beneficial information about relevant opportunities. In line with this, AfriLabs & Web 3.0 Africa had a free info session on Web 3 and the Metaverse this month. It was a successful session and was open to the entire AfriLabs community. We also shared word about the AFRISE Challenge 2023 which provides an opportunity for high potential African youth and student entrepreneurs to rise up their entrepreneurial journey through a structured boot camp and accelerator program. Learn more about AFRISE Challenge 2023 here. AfriLabs is set to partner with one of the best private universities in Africa, Covenant University, Ota, through the university’s innovation hub, Hebron Startup Lab. A series of meetings were held earlier this year between Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo, the Vice Chancellor of the university; Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs; Dr. Itoro Emebolu, Board Member of AfriLabs; Dr. Mayowa Agboola, Coordinator of Hebron Startup Lab; and other stakeholders to map out the engagement strategies. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates. In line with AfriLabs commitment to work with all stakeholders in Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and in preparation for the 2023 AfriLabs Annual Gathering, AfriLabs’ Team visited several organisations in Rwanda to discuss areas of collaboration. Some of these included the Smart Africa Alliance, GIZ Make- IT, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNFPA. The AfriLabs Team also visited Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda. We are enthusiastic about the collaborations that will emerge from this. In a most exciting turn of events, AfriLabs launched the RevUp Women Initiative, supported by the Visa Foundation. This initiative is designed to accelerate women-led businesses into profitable and sustainable ventures that can create jobs on the continent. It is aligned with AfriLabs inclusion strategy to offer enterprise development intervention to early-stage women-led African startups and SMEs. The call for applications started on the 27th February, 2023. Learn more and apply here. And that’s a wrap for February!
Résumé De Février
Le mois de Février a commencé sur une bonne note avec le début de la première session de l’atelier physique du programme de renforcement des capacités de AfriLabs (ACBP) pour l’année 2023. Il s’agissait d’un atelier de 3 jours qui s’est tenu à Addis-Abeba, en Éthiopie. L’atelier visait à doter les responsables et le personnels des hubs des connaissances pratiques nécessaires pour créer des startups prospères. L’atelier a été financé par l’AFP via Digital Africa. Vous pouvez en savoir plus sur l’ACBP ici. L’un des faits saillants du mois a été le prix de reconnaissance de la Directrice Exécutive de AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, comme l’une des 100 femmes les plus influentes d’Afrique en 2022 par Avance Media. Nous sommes ravis que ses efforts pour faire progresser la croissance de l’innovation en Afrique soient reconnus. Félicitations à elle et à toute la communauté de AfriLabs. Lisez à propos du prix ici. Dans le cadre de notre contribution à la croissance de l’innovation en Afrique, nous fournissons à notre communauté des informations utiles sur les opportunités pertinentes. Dans cette optique, AfriLabs & Web 3.0 Africa a organisé ce mois-ci une session d’information gratuite sur le Web 3 et le Metaverse. Ce fut une session réussie et ouverte à toute la communauté de AfriLabs. Nous avons également partagé des informations sur le défi AFRISE 2023, qui offre aux jeunes et étudiants entrepreneurs africains à fort potentiel l’opportunité d’accélérer leur parcours entrepreneurial grâce à un camp d’entraînement structuré et à un programme d’accélération. En savoir plus sur AFRISE Challenge 2023 ici. AfriLabs est sur le point de s’associer à l’une des meilleures universités privées d’Afrique, Covenant University, Ota, par le biais du hub d’innovation de l’université, Hebron Startup Lab. Une série de réunions ont eu lieu plus tôt cette année entre le Professeur Abiodun H. Adebayo, le Vice-chancelier de l’université ; Anna Ekeledo, Directrice Exécutive de AfriLabs ; Dr Itoro Emebolu, membre du conseil d’administration de AfriLabs ; Dr Mayowa Agboola, Coordinatrice du Hebron Startup Lab ; et d’autres parties prenantes pour définir les stratégies d’engagement. Gardez les yeux ouverts pour plus de mises à jour. Conformément à l’engagement de AfriLabs à travailler avec toutes les parties prenantes de l’écosystème de l’innovation et de l’entrepreneuriat en Afrique, et en préparation de la rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs 2023, l’équipe de AfriLabs a visité plusieurs organisations au Rwanda pour discuter des domaines de collaboration. Certains d’entre eux comprenaient la Smart Africa Alliance, GIZ Make-IT, le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD) et le FNUAP. L’équipe de AfriLabs a également visité l’Université Carnegie Mellon, au Rwanda. Nous sommes enthousiasmés par les collaborations qui en découleront. Dans une tournure des événements des plus excitantes, AfriLabs a lancé l’initiative RevUp Women, soutenue par la Fondation Visa. Cette initiative est conçue pour accélérer les entreprises dirigées par des femmes dans des entreprises rentables et durables qui peuvent créer des emplois sur le continent. Il est aligné sur la stratégie d’inclusion de AfriLabs pour offrir une intervention de développement d’entreprise aux startups et PME africaines dirigées par des femmes en phase de démarrage. L’appel à candidatures a débuté le 27 Février 2023. Vous pouvez en savoir plus et postuler ici. Et c’est terminé pour février !