AFRILABS PARTNERS WITH THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO HOST THE 2019 AFRILABS ANNUAL GATHERING IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
AfriLabs, the largest pan-African network of 158 technology and innovation centers in 45 African countries is pleased to announce its partnership with the Division of Human Resource and Youth Development in the Department of Human Resource, Science and Technology within African Union Commission to host the 2019 AfriLabs Annual Gathering. Every year, AfriLabs organises its Annual Gathering to provide a unique opportunity for tech and innovation hubs within the AfriLabs network and other stakeholders in the African innovation ecosystem like local innovators (entrepreneurs), corporates, investors, academia and developmental agencies to convene, network and share knowledge. The fourth edition of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering themed ‘Connect: Towards an Integrated Innovation Ecosystem’ is scheduled to take place from the 28th – 30th of October 2019. The event will focus on building collaborative and sustainable systems and creating synergies that will pave the way for the African innovation ecosystem to thrive and contribute to the social and economic development of the African continent. This is a significant partnership that launches a deeper engagement between the African Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and African member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other multilateral development organisations working with the African Union Commision and collaboratively moving towards our common vision of an integrated and prosperous African continent. We are calling on other partners and ecosystem stakeholders interested in contributing to the social and economic development of our continent to work with us and our community of innovation hubs across the continent to achieve a successful Annual Gathering 2019 and ultimately our vision for Africa – Anna Ekeledo Executive Director, AfriLabs. As we make concerted efforts to realising the development of the continent under the forward-looking 1 Million by 2021 Initiative, it gives us great pleasure to partner with AfriLabs on providing a unique opportunity for tech and innovation hubs. The efforts to effectively harness Africa’s demographic dividend can only be accelerated in collaborating with dedicated stakeholders. We remain grateful to these partners who are as invested as us in ensuring that the potential of youth on the continent is realised by tapping into these areas which recognise the importance of digital skills as an avenue to achieve sustainable economic development. – H.E Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner of Human Resources, Science and Technology This collaboration is part of a broader agreement with the HRST Department to support the ‘1 Million by 2021’ Initiative, launched by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat. The initiative seeks to implement tangible interventions in the key areas of Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Engagement (4Es), and aims to reach at least 1 million youth by 2021 through these key areas. AfriLabs will be partnering with HRST to support the initiative as well as the youth empowerment and development work on the continent. In light of the foregoing, both parties have agreed to explore and implement mutually rewarding viable initiatives focused on, among others, the following areas of cooperation; Co-hosting the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2019 and other relevant events. Collaboration on deploying digital skills training to African youth by curating training content, deploying through virtual and physical spaces including AfriLabs members hubs and labs. Collaboration on engagement platforms aimed at building and managing responsive innovation ecosystems. Technical Support and partnership with AUC through linkages with relevant AUC policy Organs, Members States and RECs to facilitate enhanced policy dialogues, and alternative learning pathways, resources and tools to enhance quality access to Education and Engagement Opportunities. About AfriLabs AfriLabs is the largest pan-African network of 158 innovation and Technology hubs across 45 African countries aimed at supporting the growth of technology hubs and their communities to raise high potential entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa. Our vision is an African continent characterized by open collaboration, African made solutions and jobs for all driven by technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.Visit www.AfriLabs.com to learn more about AfriLabs and Register to attend at afrilabs-gathering.com. About The African Union Commission’s The Department of Human Resource, Science and Technology (HRST) within the African Union Commission is mandated to coordinate and oversee continental action on human resource development, Education, Science, Technology and promoting youth development agenda. The 1 Million by 2021 Initiative aims to galvanize political action and commitment from development partners. The initiative targets 1 million young people through direct investments and essential game-changing interventions while also responding to fundamental questions on new approaches to solving existing problems targeted towards African realities. Through coordinated and focused implementation, the overarching goal is that the direct and accumulated impact on the lives of young people should reverberate across the continent. Visit www.au.int to learn more about African Union Commission’s 1 Million by 2021 Initiative.
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES; OFFICIAL AIRLINE PARTNER FOR THE 2019 AFRILABS ANNUAL GATHERING
AfriLabs, the largest pan-African Network of 158 technology and innovation centers across 45 African countries, is excited to announce that Ethiopian Airlines is the ‘Official Airline Partner’ for the 2019 AfriLabs Annual Gathering. Ethiopian Airlines extends to AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2019 participants a special discount of 30% on Economy class tickets and 20% on Business class tickets. The discount is applicable on return trips to Addis Ababa only on Ethiopian Airline operated flights. Every year, AfriLabs organizes its Annual Gathering to provide a unique opportunity for tech hubs in the AfriLabs network and other stakeholders in the African tech ecosystem like local innovators (entrepreneurs), corporates, investors, academia, and developmental agencies to convene, network, and share knowledge. The fourth edition of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering will be hosted by AfriLabs hub members; Tech Village and Xhub Addis with the theme ‘Connect: Towards an Integrated Innovation Ecosystem’. The event will be taking place from 28th-30th October 2019 at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Register to attend at afrilabs-gathering.com We are super excited to have Ethiopian Airlines; one of the leading airlines in the world as our Official Airline partner. We look forward to having our guests enjoy the best flight experience to Addis Ababa- Felista Aku (Events Coordinator, AfriLabs). About AfriLabs AfriLabs is a pan-African network of 158 technology innovation hubs across 45 African countries. AfriLabs is an organization that supports innovations across African countries in order to raise successful entrepreneurs that will create jobs and develop innovative solutions to African problems. Visit www.AfriLabs.com to learn more about AfriLabs. About Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. Operating at the forefront of technology, the airline has also become one of Ethiopia’s major industries and a veritable institution in Africa. Visit www.ethiopianairlines.com to learn more about Ethiopian Airlines.
AFRILABS ANNUAL GATHERING 2020 TO HOLD IN MOROCCO WITH THE THEME “BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE AND INNOVATIVE AFRICA”
AfriLabs, the largest pan-African network of 174 technology and innovation hubs across 45 African countries will be hosting the 5th edition of its Annual Gathering in Marrakesh and Ben Guerir, Morocco from 12th-14th October 2020. The Gathering-themed “Building a Sustainable and Innovative Africa” will be hosted by AfriLabs hub member Douar Tech Morocco. The AfriLabs Annual Gathering has been held in four different locations across Africa. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions held in Accra-Ghana (2016), Cairo-Egypt (2017), Dar es Salaam-Tanzania (2018), and Addis Ababa-Ethiopia (2019) respectively. The Annual Gathering 2020 will usher in the last decade to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 while highlighting the African technology and innovation ecosystem’s capacity to tackle the challenges that the continent faces. The Gathering will feature different key players/stakeholders of the African tech and Innovation Ecosystem; and will present an opportunity to assess the scope for scaling up sustainable innovations to make an impact on a larger scale through the AfriLabs network. With the expansion of Technology and Innovation Centres on the continent, Africa stands a greater chance of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Based on this, this year’s gathering will drive the conversation around various areas of the UN’s 2030 SDGs and the role of the African Innovation Ecosystem in not only ensuring that these goals are met but also in collaborating with other stakeholders to take deliberate steps in achieving these goals. A few key areas include Affordable and Sustainable housing, smart cities and waste management, Tech for rural economies and Natural resources management. Thematic sessions shall include but not limited to; Innovation; the Blueprint to Africa’s Economic and Social Development and Sustainability The Role of Technology Hubs in Implementing the SDGs Africa’s Advancement to a Green and Smart City Fostering collaboration between hubs, Academia, Private Sector, etc Each session, dialogue, and other activities will be tailored towards consolidating collaboration within ecosystems to cross-fertilize approaches towards reaching a Sustainable Innovative Africa. The Gathering will prioritize sharing technology and people-driven frameworks that will foster collaboration between stakeholders to optimize investment, research, creativity, skills, and other forms of support for sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive in Africa. This is in line with AfriLabs vision of an African continent characterized by open collaboration, African-made solutions, and jobs for all driven by technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. To register and keep updated about the 2020 AfriLabs Annual Gathering, please visit https://www.afrilabs-gathering.com. “The African innovation ecosystem has been booming since last decade. Building Sustainable and innovative Africa is one of the most effective ways to fight poverty and create employment. AfriLabs is very excited to come to Morocco this year, we are very confident that our hosting hub – Douar Tech Morocco – will organize an extraordinary event and gathering for all the African entrepreneurship ecosystem” Moetaz Helmy, Board secretary of AfriLabs. “We want to surface all the initiatives that will make Africa the resilient, sustainable and innovative continent its youth aspire to build. This gathering will be the opening of a decade where the vibrant African tech ecosystems catalyze the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s a powerful stance highlighting the African innovation capacity to answer continental and global challenges!” Hanae Bezad, CEO of Douar Tech, Morocco. About AfriLabs AfriLabs is a pan-African network of 174 technology innovation hubs across 45 African countries. AfriLabs was founded in 2011 to build a community around rapidly emerging tech hubs, with a mission to support the growth of these technology hubs and their communities to raise high potential entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa. For more information about AfriLabs and partnership, please visit: www.afrilabs.com or call +2348149612015. You can also send us an email to secreteriat@afrilabs.com. About Douar Tech Morocco Douar Tech is a decentralized hub for rural communities which is aimed at promoting the economic independence of young people in douars, especially women from precarious backgrounds in rural areas of Morocco through several training in innovative entrepreneurship and intensive technology. For more information about Douar Tech, kindly visit: www.douar.tech.
THE 2020 AFRILABS ANNUAL GATHERING IS GOING VIRTUAL
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the health and safeguarding of our community, the 5th AfriLabs Annual Gathering will take place virtually from the 12th to 14th October 2020. The AfriLabs Annual Gathering has historically been held at different cities around the African continent in collaboration with national and local governments, the private sector and our member hubs. While the COVID-19 pandemic makes it impossible for us to meet face to face, it now presents a powerful opportunity to be even more inclusive in participation. BUILDING A RESILIENT INNOVATIVE AFRICA The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every sector of the continent’s economy and we must look inwards and collaborate to build a resistance that charges towards a glooming economic prediction to birth a thriving innovative economy in Africa. So it’s perfect that resilience is the overarching theme of this year’s conference as we convene to discuss “ Building a Resilient Innovative Africa”. Now more than ever, building a resilient and innovative Africa through an integrated approach by engaged Africans who speak with one voice on innovation targeted at the actualization of the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063 is paramount. DESIGNING AN INCLUSIVE EVENT TO EXPLORE AFRICA’S INNATE ABILITY TO BUILD We are focused on designing an inclusive, exciting event for our hub managers, partners, sponsors and all curious innovators from Africa and across the globe who want to be part of this conversation in one way or another. In our normal AfriLabs Annual Gathering tradition we will have three days of programming exploring the building of communities, the importance of partnerships and Africa’s innate ability to build. We’d be delighted to hear from potential speakers. Please get in touch by sending an email to jen@afrilabs.com. We are excited to have dedicated partners that work with us every year to make sure the AfriLabs Annual Gathering is a success. Our Annual Gathering presents a unique and exciting value proposition to sponsors that we would be delighted to share with you. Partner with us as a sponsor and help make our first virtual annual meeting a success. Please get in touch by sending an email to jen@afrilabs.com. We will be rolling out more information about the 2020 AAG in the coming days. Don’t miss out, subscribe for updates here: bit.ly/SubscribeToAfriLabsNewsletter. AfriLabs is a pan-African network of 202 technology innovation hubs across 46 African countries. The organisation was founded in 2011 to build a community around rapidly emerging tech hubs, with a mission to support the growth of these technology hubs and their communities to raise high potential entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa.
AFRILABS AND DJEMBE CONSULTANTS PARTNER TO PRODUCE INSIGHTS REPORT ON BUILDING A RESILIENT INNOVATIVE AFRICA IN A COVID-19 WORLD
Djembe Consultants Named Official Communications Partner for AfriLabs Virtual Annual Gathering AfriLabs, the largest pan-Africa network of 225 technology and innovation centers across 47 countries in Africa has partnered with Djembe Consultants, the award-winning African-focused communications consultancy, to develop a report on the future of African innovation amidst a backdrop of a global pandemic. The Report is themed ‘Building a Resilient Innovative Africa’ in line with the focus of the 5th AfriLabs Virtual Annual Gathering from October 12 to 14, 2020, where highlights from the Report will be unveiled. This year’s Annual Gathering will see a robust dialogue on how to build a resilient innovative Africa. Given COVID-19’s economic impact on our network members, the dialogue around strengthening the innovation ecosystem is so critical for when Africa emerges from this global pandemic. The Report will cover trends and opportunities in technology and enterprise, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the framing of a regional policy discussion around African innovation – crucial dialogues in the quest towards realizing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the region-wide socio-economic objectives set out in the African Union Agenda 2063 in the post-COVID economy. The three report themes are Scaling Homegrown Innovations Beyond Borders; Driving Innovation Inclusivity – Women, Youth, and Informal Markets; and Strengthening Policy Development to Encourage R&D and Innovation. The Report will bring together powerful perspectives on what it takes to build innovation resilience in Africa across sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, ICT, and manufacturing, as well as other equally fundamental sectors such as education, finance, and services. Commenting on the report, Nekesa Were, Director of Strategy, AfriLabs “AfriLabs is excited to have Africa’s leading communications consultancy, Djembe Consultants, onboard as a partner for this year’s AfriLabs Virtual Annual Gathering. This year’s Annual Gathering will see a robust dialogue on how to build a resilient innovative Africa. Given COVID-19’s economic impact on our network members, the dialogue around strengthening the innovation ecosystem is so critical for when Africa emerges from this global pandemic.” Leveraging the innovation DNA of both organizations, the Building a Resilient Innovative Africa Report will feature the perspectives of young African startups and innovators alongside valuable insights from leading public and private sector stakeholders from the continent and beyond including Afreximbank, Honoris United Universities, Mastercard Foundation, Mozilla and the UN Women, amongst others. If you’re an African startup, innovator, or entrepreneur, share your perspectives on what it takes to build resilience in the African Innovation Ecosystem by participating in the survey here. Djembe Consultants, CEO, Mitchell Prather said, “Djembe Consultants is pleased to partner with Africa’s largest network of technology and innovation hubs to elevate the dialogue around strengthening African innovation resilience in these unprecedented times. As Official Communications Partner of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering this year, Djembe looks forward to unveiling important insights based on the real-world opinions, experiences, and attitudes of African innovation stakeholders from across the continent. The Insights Report will provide a range of stakeholders, from investors to policymakers, with a uniquely relevant and timely understanding of the opportunities and challenges that African innovators face as we learn to move forward in the new normal of a COVID world.” Previously held in several cities across Africa, this year’s edition of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2020 will be virtual with conversations centered around building a resilient innovative Africa by leveraging collaborations, communities, and Africa’s innate ability to build. The roles of innovators, corporates, governments, and other stakeholders will be examined with discussions on the need to disrupt the status quo, and force innovations to evolve and adapt to the new realities of an Africa in a recovering world. The 3-day Gathering will feature sessions and activities with focused panel discussions on thematic topics, keynote addresses, presentation sessions, multiple parallel workshops, local ecosystem tours/exhibitions, and networking sessions. Registration is currently ongoing. As part of the ongoing partnership, Djembe Consultants will be conducting customized training workshops for AfriLabs community members and partner hubs across the continent. Follow Djembe Consultants on social media for further updates.
Celebrating a Decade of Empowering and Inspiring Innovation across Africa at the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021
After going virtual for the first time last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s AfriLabs Annual Gathering which coincides with AfriLabs 10th year anniversary will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco from 25th-27th October 2021. The theme for this year’s Gathering is “AfriLabs at 10: A Decade of Empowering and Inspiring Innovation across Africa” and Douar Tech, an AfriLabs Member Hub based in Morocco will be a co-host of the event. The history of the African Innovation Ecosystem is a story of resilience, growth, collaboration and creativity. More than before, Africans are developing scalable solutions to their problems and one factor that is contributing to this is the growth of the support systems like innovation hubs (incubators, accelerators etc.) in the entrepreneurship space. AfriLabs has for a decade played an important role in the empowerment of innovation hubs across the continent. In our 10th year of existence, we reflect on the journey so far in providing support to the ecosystem. We celebrate our strides and that of our community and plan for the future with the dream of a thriving innovation economy in Africa. A YEAR OF GOLDEN CELEBRATIONS “AfriLabs will be 10 this year and we will be celebrating and reflecting on the strides of the Innovation Ecosystem in Africa. If you have been part of our story, we would like to invite you to celebrate with us in Morocco. If you haven’t worked with us or any of our community members yet in building the Africa of our dreams, still join us and let us all set the tone and ambitions for the next 10 years!” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director, AfriLabs. For this year’s Gathering, we are riding strongly with our community and for the first time, they were actively involved in the selection of the theme, and their choice is a reflection of our impact in empowering hubs and driving innovation across the continent. The 6th edition of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering will be highlighting 10 years of our existence and we will be hosting a series of exciting events throughout the year which climaxes at Morocco in an effort to share the successes and challenges of the last decade while looking forward to a future of more collaborations and opportunities. Looking back at all our previous Gatherings, this year’s event will spotlight the impact of innovation in Africa in the last decade, drive more strategic collaborations and we look forward to engaging more stakeholders in the African Tech Ecosystem as well as building sustainable capacity for hubs on the continent. “ This year, we look forward with the utmost anticipation to a post-pandemic world with fervent hopes to convene the Ecosystem in Morocco. 2021 will cumulate to the 10th year anniversary of the founding of AfriLabs; which will be the focus of most of the year’s events leading to a Finale at AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021.” our Ecosystem Event Manager, Jennifer Okeke Ojiudu said. “Hosting the AfriLabs Annual Gathering in Marrakech is promised to be a unique and world-changing experience. More information to follow shortly.” “This gathering will be a unique momentum for the African innovative ecosystems narrative. It will allow us to reflect on the lessons learned in the last decade of ecosystem development, co-create and elevate our common vision for the upcoming one – by bringing ecosystem players together in Morocco, we also hope it sends a strong and clear signal that by its youth, innovators and entrepreneurs, Africa is one, ready to continue building together, growing together.” Hanae Bezad, Founder, Douar Tech on hosting the Gathering in Morocco. To stay updated on the activities of AfriLabs and information about the AfriLabs Annual Gathering and how you can be a part of it, kindly subscribe to our community newsletter here.