Summary Of September Activities At Afrilabs
Dear AfriLabbers, September came with lots of opportunities for hubs, businesses and entrepreneurs within and outside the AfriLabs community. Catalytic Africa, a matching fund by the African Business Angels Network (ABAN) and AfriLabs that aims to strengthen African startups, innovation hubs, and angel investors while delivering impact results to institutional funders is still ongoing. Learn more and apply here. As part of our continuous devotion to capacity development, AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP) will hold physical workshops in 10 African Countries. The ACBP Physical Workshop will provide the opportunity to network with stakeholders across the African innovation ecosystem, attend the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022 and be taught by seasoned ecosystem leaders during the workshop. Application began in September and has closed for hubs in Zambia; other African countries can still apply until 28th October 2022. Learn more and apply here. Global Center on Adaptation, African Development Bank, and Climate Investment Funds launched the second edition of the African Youth Adaptation Solutions #YouthAdapt Challenge, an annual competition and awards program for youth-led enterprises (50% women-led) as part of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program YouthADAPT Flagship Program. The competition invites young entrepreneurs and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa to submit innovative solutions and business ideas that can drive climate change adaptation and resilience across Africa. Selected innovators will receive access to $100,000 each in grants among other benefits. Applications end at 11:59 pm on 4th October 2022. Apply here. BongoHive, a consortium member of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering, took over the AfriLabs Annual Gathering page on Instagram for a day. They introduced themselves and talked about how they are excitedly looking forward to #AAG2022. Follow the official page of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering on Instagram @afrilabs_ag. If you haven’t, register for the #AAG2022 here. 6 Innovation teams from Eastern and Southern Africa were selected to join the UNFPA EUP HackLab boot camp. The boot camp is a lineup of activities, from capacity-building in business, technical and venture development skills to build from ideation to incubation stage, and connection to resources etc. The programme seeks to support targeted young innovators whose aspiring solutions can make impactful change for girls at risk of early pregnancies and seeks to end Early Pregnancy in East and Southern Africa. To wrap up the month, Series 9 of the hubs learning week was held from 26th to 30th September 2022. It was an insightful week of learning about how to build, manage and grow successful startups. Keep your eyes out for Series 10! That’s it for September!
African Youth Adaptation competition launches call for applications
Young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to submit their business plan through the official submission portal. Twenty winners will each be awarded $100,000 and will receive capacity-building training, mentorship and coaching. Abidjan, 14 September 2022 – The Global Center on Adaptation, African Development Bank and Climate Investment Funds have launched a call for applications for the second edition of the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthADAPT) Challenge. YouthADAPT is an annual competition that invites young entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises in Africa to submit innovative solutions and business ideas that have the potential to drive climate change adaptation and resilience across the continent. The commercially viable business or product must not be in widespread use. The 20 winners will each be awarded $100,000 and will receive training, mentorship and coaching to support their climate change adaptation innovation in their communities and across Africa. The objective of the competition is in line with one of the pillars of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). AAAP is a strategic partnership between the Global Center on Adaptation and the African Development Bank. It aims to address the triple impacts of Covid-19, climate change and the economy. Applicants must be 18 to 35 years old. Their venture must be youth-led and deliver solutions that address a real-life challenge. They must be registered and operating in Africa, and able to show revenues for at least two years. 50% of the finalists will be women-owned or women-led enterprises. Apply by visiting the application portal. The closing date for applications is 4th October 2022. About the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization which works as a solutions broker to accelerate action and support for adaptation solutions, from the international to the local, in partnership with the public and private sector. Founded in 2018, GCA operates from its headquarters in the largest floating office in the world, located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh and Beijing, China. For more information please go to www.gca.org About African Development Bank The overarching objective of the African Development Bank Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries, thus contributing to poverty reduction. The Bank Group achieves this objective by mobilizing and allocating resources for investment in regional member countries and providing policy advice and technical assistance to support development efforts. In 2015, all multilateral development institutions agreed on the same set of objectives, the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more: https://www.afdb.org/ About Climate Investment Funds (CIF) CIF is one of the world’s largest and most ambitious multilateral climate finance mechanisms for developing countries seeking to shift to low carbon and climate resilient development and accelerate climate action. Its launch in 2008 emerged from recognition by world leaders that climate change and development are inextricably intertwined and that climate-smart investment is needed at scale to deliver on the opportunities for green growth identified in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more: https://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/ Global Center on Adaptation Alexandra Gee Head of Communications Alex.gee@gca.org African Development Bank (AfDB) Amba Mpoke-Bigg Communications and External Relations African Development Bank a.mpoke-bigg@afdb.org AfriLabs Joshua Omena .A. Ecosystem Creative Media Manager joshua@afrilabs.com
AfriLabs community clocks 370 hubs across 52 African Countries as 23 new members join
As we approach the AfriLabs Annual Gathering in October, we are excited to announce the admission of 23 new hubs from every African region to the AfriLabs network. We are now 370 member hubs in over 200 cities. The AfriLabs mandate has not changed over the years – building a thriving innovation economy in Africa, powered by our community – and more than ever, we are committed to empowering innovation support structures across the continent. We are always happy to welcome hubs in Africa and the diaspora who share the same dream of building the digital and innovation economy because we believe that the change we want will come when our community is a representation of all African countries and hubs. The new members admitted this quarter include: – TechFarm Hub, Koforidua, Ghana, RFC Foundation (Reach for Change), Accra, Ghana, BRAVE Foundation, Accra, Ghana, STRAT-CORE Plus, Niamey, Niger, Cabinet Hub Zinder, Zinder, Niger, Alpha Blue Foundation, Jos, Nigeria, Vatebra Tech Hub, Lagos, Nigeria, Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL), Lagos, Nigeria, Application Laboratory, Abuja, Nigeria, Gambia Tech, Banjul, Gambia, MUSODEV, Bamako, Mali, Yeesal Agri Hub, Thies, Senegal (French) and Adei Technology Hub, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. “It is still day one at AfriLabs. This is not because we have not grown over the years but rather because we believe there’s a lot more to accomplish. We welcome these new members to the AfriLabs network. I encourage them to connect with older members and get the collaboration ball rolling!” Ajibola Odukoya, AfriLabs Chief Operating Officer said. “We are thankful for our admission into the AfriLabs network. This will help us rise higher and learn from other similar organizations on the continent. RiseUp Social Enterprise is Ethiopia’s largest rural youth skills development organization and the second biggest hub in the country. We are creating an open ecosystem for young people to build a pathway to a better economy. We are fighting poverty and creating equality for the less privileged ones in our community – those affected by disasters and the impact of climate change. Thank you again for this opportunity. We are excited to work, partner and reach more with the AfriLabs community.” said Usama Mohamed, Executive Director, RiseUp Social Enterprise, Ethiopia, one of the newly admitted members. Other new members include Einstein Rising, Kampala, Uganda, La Plage Factory, Port-Louis, Mauritius, RiseUp Social Enterprise, Jigjiga, Ethiopia, Weirah Digital Technologies Institute WDTI, Garowe, Somalia, Impacc Social Ventures, Nairobi, Kenya, Hub Un Jour Nouveau, Goma, DR. Congo, Wiki Startup, Tunis, Tunisia, Startup Factory, Cairo, Egypt, Synergy Ltd, Lilongwe, Malawi and ZAFY TODY, Antananarivo, Madagascar. Andréa Zafitody LI-SAI CHIMENTO, Founder of Zafy Tody also commented on their expectations as a hub joining the network “As an incubator supporting young Malagasy entrepreneurs in Tech, Zafy Tody is truly excited to be part of the AfriLabs network. We look forward to our incubated startups scaling their venture horizons across Africa, gain more business expertise and financial support.”
AfriLabs and Intel host early-stage deep-tech investors’ roundtable in Kenya
On the 27th and 28th of July 2022, Intel in partnership with AfriLabs and African Business Angel Network held discussions on Early-Stage Deep-Tech Investing across Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. It was an interactive hybrid event involving a diverse group of early-stage investors in deep-tech who shared insights and learnings within the African context. The session provided a deep dive into the pillars of the transformation and the emergence of Deep Tech in Africa, and discussions focused on the importance and role of the Deep Tech sector in economic development. The sessions also interrogated the role early-stage funding plays in this sector. In attendance across the 2-days event was Dr Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, Director, Government Affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison (PE), Intel Corporation, Nekesa Were, Director of Strategy AfriLabs, Snehar Shah, CEO, Moringa School, Tim Dagori, Board Member Association of Startup and SME Enablers of Kenya, Philip Thigo, Senior Director for Africa, Thunderbird School of Global Management, H.E. Thomas Wimmer, Acting Ambassador to Kenya, Federal Republic of Germany, Hon. Ms. Maureen Mbaka, Chief Administrative Secretary at Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Republic of Kenya, Fadilah Tchoumba, Secretary-General, African Business Angel Network – and other top stakeholders. “At AfriLabs, we believe that world-class African hubs nurture innovators and entrepreneurs capable of competing and standing out globally. We have made our work the training and funding hubs, working with them to influence national innovation policies and offering hubs African innovation data to aid their work.” Nekesa Were said during her welcome speech. “Like anything worth doing, we cannot do this alone. This is why partnerships like the one we have with Intel matter.” “Supporting digital entrepreneurship and tech start-ups in Kenya means bringing down barriers through the entire ecosystem, including those related to connectivity, payment systems, data protection, financial inclusion, and logistics. This is why entrepreneurs and female founders need comprehensive support structures that provide them with capacity building, affordable credit, and facilitated access to new markets.” H.E. Thomas Wimmer, Acting Ambassador to Kenya, the Federal Republic of Germany on why support for deep-tech startups in Kenya and Africa is relevant. “According to the World Bank, deep tech companies bring transformative technology from the lab to the market in addition to democratised research infrastructure. Increased available funding has led to the rise of deep-tech companies globally, including in emerging markets and Africa, Kenya to be specific should follow suit.” Ms. Maureen Mbaka, Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Republic of Kenya also commented on why understanding how to support deep-tech startups is important. She also congratulated AfriLabs and Intel on their partnership. Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, Director, Government Affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison (PE), Intel Corporation in his opening remarks spoke about Intel’s mission: “Technology will play a critical role in building a digital future that is equitable, accessible, and inclusive for all. That is why Intel launched its new RISE strategy and 2030 goals. Through this strategy, Intel strives to create a more responsible, inclusive, and sustainable future, enabled through its technology and the expertise and passion of its employees.” Another highlight was a hybrid workshop for deep-tech startups in Kenya and across Africa. The participants were introduced to Intel Ignite and Intel OneAPI programs. The session was facilitated by Dr Bienvenu AGBOKPONTO SOGLO, the Director, Government Affairs Africa & EMEA CTO Liaison, and a Principal Engineer at Intel Corporation, Mrs. Kate Hach, Head of Program at Intel Ignite’s accelerator in Munich and Mr Ralph Wargny, Leads the Intel’s oneAPI global virtual startup accelerator program for early-stage software innovators in AI, HPC, graphics.
AfriLabs unveils Ethiopian Airlines as Offical Airline Carrier for the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022
Ahead of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering this year, AfriLabs is pleased to announce our partnership with Ethiopian Airlines as the official airline carrier of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022, scheduled to hold in Lusaka, Zambia, from 26th – 28th October 2022. The AfriLabs Annual Gathering brings stakeholders and support systems in the innovation, technology and startup community together to deliberate on relevant topics and network to drive collaborations and partnerships across the continent. This year’s theme is “Intra-Africa Collaboration, Connectivity and Innovation”, and thanks to Ethiopian Airlines, participants travelling to the Southern African country of Zambia can enjoy discounts on their air tickets. Travel with Ethiopian Airlines to Lusaka for the AfriLabs Annual Gathering and access a 15% discount on business class and 12% on economy class fares to Lusaka (the discount does not apply to promotional fares). To book your ticket, visit this website and use the promo code – AAG22. Not yet secured your place at this year’s Gathering? Register today and get your early-bird tickets: www.afrilabsgathering.com. For sponsorship and partnership opportunities, kindly reach out to Felista Aku, AfriLabs Partnerships Manager: felista@afrilabs.com.
UNFPA in collaboration with AfriLabs launches its Incubation Programme to support ideas tackling FGM and Climate Change
Following the successful training at the UNFPA Climate and FGM HackLab (virtual bootcamps), 6 innovators were selected as winners in a follow-up pitch event and have been invited to participate in the UNFPA Incubation Programme. UNFPA in partnership with AfriLabs will leverage AfriLabs’ existing pipeline of innovation hubs across the locations of the innovators to provide a robust and intensive 6-month incubation programme, which will entail capacity-building activities focused on product and business development of the selected innovations, and support with resources and opportunities to produce full-fledged viable and scalable innovations and solutions. The selected hubs will provide incubation services to the UNFPA Climate and FGM HackLab top innovators via online and offline channels throughout the programme. UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, under the flagship Safeguard Young People Programme, launched the Climate HackLab project in May 2021. The HackLab is a climate innovation project that aims to build climate resilience and generate innovative climate adaptation solutions led by young people, especially women and girls. The UNFPA FGM HackLab project aims to empower young people and offer them the opportunity to be game-changers and drivers of a sustainable green future. The project targets young innovators, especially women and girls, who have innovative solutions that will accelerate efforts toward UNFPA’s goal of ending gender-based violence and harmful practices by 2030. Meet the selected innovators and startups Agnes Kimweri is a Laboratory Technologist and founder of Agki Medical Laboratory company in Tanzania. By using free carbon immersion electric motorcycles Agki medical lab offers mobile clinics for anaemia patients especially pregnant women and children under five age living in rural communities by providing affordable haemoglobin tests, health education and drugs such as folic acid for those with low blood levels. Agripa Maposa is the CEO and founder of Tivwane Money Solution, a registered company in Zambia that supplies financing and training to help small farmers grow their way out of hunger. To combat climate change which causes all forms of malnutrition, poverty and hunger amongst smallholder farmers in Zambia and Africa at large, Tivwane Money Solution provides Agriculture Asset-Based Loans such as solar irrigation equipment systems for small-scale farmers to increase their farm production. Joseph Mulabbi is the Team Lead of AXCES Mobile System based in Uganda. Health Mobile Application, to connect beneficiaries with medical services providers. The idea aims to improve access to health services (health, social, legal) for victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Dirug Samuel Yugoro is the Team Lead of Big Family 360 Foundation based in Nigeria. This is a mobile app that enhances access to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) services and information by way of referral through mobile technology & survivors can access services anonymously. Roukiatou SEDGO is the Team Lead of Afriyan Burkina based in Burkina Faso. It is a website, which will allow the dissemination of the testimonies of victims, written or audiovisual; and provide medical and psychological help for these victims. Deborah NANSANGA is the Team Lead of HERstory based in Uganda. A mobile application to collect and analyse crowdsourced, anonymous reports of FGM practices identifying patterns and key insights to increase awareness, transparency and public accountability and improve policy and tactical precision with data-led insights. AfriLabs, being the largest pan-African community of innovation centres across Africa with 353+ hubs that operate in 50 African countries selected a member hub in each of the innovators’ countries to carry out the incubation programme. Meet the selected hubs Ennovate Hub, Dar Es Salaam & Mwanza, Tanzania – Ennovate Hub is an incubator and co-creation space with the fundamental objective to facilitate entrepreneurship development across the continent, inspire innovation in designing today’s solutions for the future, support early-stage entrepreneurs to scale and become investment-ready and to build collaborations across the startup value chain to strengthen startup economic activities. Jacaranda Hub, Lusaka, Zambia – Jacaranda hub has an independent body that oversees the management and runs a not-for-profit business model. They are an Incubator and Accelerator focused on social impact, youth engagement and skill acquisition and get most of their funds from Africa. North-East Humanitarian Innovation Hub, Yola, Nigeria – North-East Humanitarian Innovation Hub developed an ecosystem of innovation close to conflict and natural disaster-affected people by co-creating solutions with them and with humanitarian service providers to address the protection and assistance challenges that have remained so far neglected to address in the recovery rebuilding of the North East. Burkina Business Incubator (BBI), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – The Burkina Business Incubator Association (BBI) is an incubation centre for SMEs, a framework for the maturation of ideas for innovative projects and training in business creation, business development, a real common working space. Its main purpose is the promotion of entrepreneurship through the selection of innovative and high-potential projects and their support from ideas to launch through the economic model, studies, training of the promoter, mobilisation of resources and the creation of the company. BBI prioritizes projects from the following areas: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Agro-Industry, Tourism and Hospitality, Renewable Energies and Environment, and Crafts. Stay with us as we share more updates on the journey of these admitted startups. For further enquiries, kindly send an email to taiye@afrilabs.com.
AfriLabs partners with Zayed Sustainability Prize for an African workshop in Rwanda to attract more entries
AfriLabs, the largest pan-African network of technology and innovation hubs with over 340 members across 52 African countries, is set to host an awareness session in Rwanda on June 27, 2022, to encourage local participation in the 2023 edition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. As the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) pioneering global award for recognising excellence in sustainability, the Prize’s US$3 million annual fund rewards winners US$600,000 in each of the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories. While the Global High Schools category is split into six world region winners, with each school receiving up to US$100,000 to start or further expand their project. Inspired by the sustainability and humanitarian legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize has, since its inception in 2008, awarded a total of 96 winners whose solutions or student-led school projects have positively transformed the lives of 370 million people around the world. The Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories reward organisations that are already delivering impact and improving living and working conditions with their products and services. In the Global High Schools category, the Prize supports student-led projects in one or more of the four categories (Health, Food, Energy and Water) with the students actively involved in the planning, implementation, and monitoring processes. Rwanda’s emerging innovation ecosystem and its thousands of entrepreneurs have the opportunity to showcase their work and impact to an international audience through the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Established in 2011, AfriLabs builds a community around rapidly emerging tech hubs – innovation spaces that serve as meeting points and communities for developers, entrepreneurs, and investors. AfriLabs’ Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, said: “AfriLabs is indeed excited to be joining forces with the Zayed Sustainability Prize, a global award that recognises and rewards the achievements of those who are driving impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainability solutions across Health, Food, Energy, and Water sectors. We will leverage our expertise in stakeholders’ engagement and organising national and pan-African events to host awareness sessions and workshops in Rwanda to raise awareness about the prize and encourage more African innovators to enter and potentially benefit from this opportunity.” The awareness session will provide attendees including organisations and high schools with a practical tutorial on how to apply for the Prize and inform them about the benefits of participation – for themselves as entrants and the country. Applicants are encouraged to submit their entries by July 6, 2022. To qualify for consideration, submissions should demonstrate the following three core criteria: Impact: Significant and tangible outcomes on the quality of people’s lives. Innovation: Distinctive characteristics that positively transform lives and have the potential to catalyse opportunities that will have a disruptive positive impact. Inspiration: The potential to scale up project outcomes, over the next decade, and the ability to inspire others. For the Global High Schools category, their projects should be designed to deliver a positive educational impact, including providing access to quality education and ensuring students are given key skills and capabilities to achieve their goals. Like the other categories, each project should demonstrate new and innovative approaches and be inspirational to others. In the Global High Schools category, however, students may propose to solve a combination of challenges across all Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories; not just focusing on one. Winners will be announced at the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on January 16, 2023, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). For more information, visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com.
Digital Entrepreneurship in Africa: Case Studies of Nigeria and South Sudan
The book Chapter ‘Digital Entrepreneurship in Africa: Case Studies of Nigeria and South Sudan’, based on the Female Entrepreneurs Support Program (FESP), has been published by Palmgrove, in the book titled Digital Service Delivery in Africa. FESP is a collaborative initiative by AfriLabs member hubs and AfriLabs Capacity Building Program (ACBP) award winners: ‘TechQuest STEM Academy’ (Nigeria) and ‘Junub Open Space’ (South Sudan). The book chapter written by the collaborating hubs aligns with one of the strategic pillars of Afrilabs on Research, Evidence and Learning. The book chapter provides an evidence base for entrepreneurs in 2 African countries and provides a pathway for insights into Africa. FESP funded by ACBP and AFD through the Digital Africa Seed fund, directly impacted over 700 female entrepreneurs from Nigeria and South Sudan and engaged over 90 experienced mentors across 13 countries. The program provided capacity building training, business support coaching and mentorship for females that intended to go into business, nascent female-led start-ups and entrepreneurs. It offered support and build capacities in terms of knowledge, skills and networks, to access markets and promote innovations through networking, mentorship and our business clinic. The initiative inspired, educated, empowered and supported female entrepreneurs. Get FREE access to the chapter here. In case you are interested in purchasing the whole book, click here.
AfriLabs community expands into a new country – Mauritania and adds 27 new members
In our continuous drive to support local innovation communities, AfriLabs has welcomed 27 innovation hubs into our network. This takes the largest pan-African network of innovation enablers from 320 hubs in 51 African countries to 347 hubs in 52 African countries and over 200 cities. We recently marked our 10 years anniversary, celebrating our strides, reflecting on our journey and planning for the future. The growing interest by hubs across the continent to join the AfriLabs network is a good sign that we are getting some things right. We are happy to have these organisations align with our vision to build a thriving innovation economy in Africa. At AfriLabs, we believe that to scale support for innovation across the continent, local innovation ecosystems must be empowered with access to funds and knowledge, and be given the platform to collaborate with each other. That’s why we are relentless in our call for more hubs to join us. The new members admitted this quarter include: PAUWES Entrepreneurship Hub (Algeria), Afkar (Tunisia), Hadina Rimtic (Mauritania), Founders Factory Africa, (South Africa), Grid Innovation and Incubation Hub (Rwanda), MCI Media Hub (Uganda), StartHub Africa (Uganda), Founder Square Ventures, (Kenya), Ifakara Innovation Hub (Tanzania), Eko Innovation Centre (Nigeria), The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd (Nigeria), Iba Ajie (Nigeria), Renaissance Innovation Lab (Nigeria), Blue Sapphire Hub (Nigeria) and FutureLabs (Nigeria). “We take our admission process very seriously. Every hub being admitted into the AfriLabs network has shown that they are catalysts for innovation and entrepreneurship in their respective communities.” Moetaz Helmy, AfriLabs Board Chair said. “We have heard and watched over the years the excellent work done by AfriLabs to push the bounds of entrepreneurship in Africa to create a thriving continent. We are excited to join this vast network of supporters of innovation. We believe AfriLabs will equip us with the necessary tools to continue this great work in our community.” said Ayuk Etta, Executive Director of Mountain Hub, Cameroon about their admission. Other new members include: InnoHub (Ghana), Impact Hub (Côte d’Ivoire), KMindz (Cape Verde), Chad Innovation Hub (Chad), Sahel Green Hub (Chad), Silikin Village (DR. Congo), Kinshasa Digital (DR.Congo), Kobo Hub (DR. Congo), Mountain Hub (Cameroon), Team@solutions (Cameroon), The Workshop (Congo) and Société d’Incubation Numérique du Gabon (Gabon). “I am pleased that we are now part of AfriLabs. This will enable us to collaborate with hubs across the continent and contribute our quota to developing enterprises, increasing funding for startups and driving employability in Africa. AfriLabs is the most prestigious community of tech hubs in Africa and we are proud to take our place amongst the continent’s elite.” Edwin Ajogun the Country Director of Eko Innovation Centre commented about the centre joining AfriLabs.
AfriLabs launches the maiden edition of its annual magazine – Kubatana
Discover stories of our collective effort in advancing innovation in Africa In the 2nd half of 2021, AfriLabs started the development of an Annual Magazine named Kubatana meaning ‘togetherness’ in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. Today, we are excited to announce the launch of Kubatana. Kubatana is a tool for impact storytelling on AfriLabs’ work while also showcasing and celebrating the work that AfriLabs’ hub members and innovation ecosystem builders do across Africa. It is a comprehensive compilation of the latest developments from AfriLabs hub members, other innovation leaders and organisations; and ecosystem stories in Africa and the Diaspora. It also featured guest articles, stories, interviews, innovation space showcases, insights, and reports in a highly visual and interactive format. “We have so much to say about AfriLabs and the African Innovation Support System and that is what Kubatana is all about – these are stories about enabling innovation on the continent that are not told as often as they should be. We promise you an interesting and enlightening experience as you flip through the pages of Kubatana and meet the superheroes that empower innovation in their communities” Anna Ekeledo, AfriLabs Executive Director said. Special thanks to our AfriLabs Community members, content contributors and partners GIZ-Make IT, Liquid Telecom, KTN Global Alliance, FMO Ventures, Mozilla, Ebeosi, VC4A and EHA Clinics for supporting the first edition of the magazine. The magazine is now available digitally and later in print. Read here.