AfriLabs and Mozilla Sign Partnership
To explore new technology ideas that will solve real-life issues. To further inform and develop sustainable solutions for the African region, AfriLabs, a pan-African network of 225 technology innovation hubs across 47 African countries, announced that it has partnered with Mozilla to convene roundtable discussions with African startups, entrepreneurs, developers and innovators. These roundtable discussions will focus on understanding the local needs, expertise and capabilities of African countries and explore under-served issues and areas that could spur the next generation of innovation in the region. “The right intervention is very important and for the design to fit, conversations are necessary. We are excited to listen and engage with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa with Mozilla and we are hopeful that this partnership will open the right dialogues for better-fit innovations on the continent,” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs. Mozilla and AfriLabs will be launching exploratory research in the form of round table discussions to better understand the ecosystem, explore and identify new product ideas that solve real-life issues The discussions will be hosted as part of Mozilla’s efforts to reinvest within the African tech ecosystem and support local innovators with scalable ideas that have the potential to impact across the continent. “Mozilla is pleased to be partnering with AfriLabs to learn more about the intersection of African product needs and capacity gaps and to co-create value with local entrepreneurs,” said Alice Munyua, Director of Africa Innovation Program. AfriLabs partnership with Mozilla is a boost to a series of initiatives to support the African innovation economy during the pandemic. AfriLabs is awarding grants to host virtual meetups on COVID-19 in partnership with AFD’s sponsored capacity-building programme. AfriLabs is also a partner on DFID’s COVIDaction support programme for local production in Africa, and VC4A’s venture showcase to fund early-stage startups with seed funding up to $1M. AfriLabs partnership with Mozilla brings together two organisations committed to supporting communities of technologists by putting people first. The partnership will help develop more relevant, sustainable support for African innovators to build scalable resilient products, leveraging honest and candid discussions to identify areas of common interest. AfriLabs was founded in 2011 to build a community around rapidly emerging tech hubs and innovation spaces that serve as meeting points and communities for developers, entrepreneurs, and investors. Our aim is to empower these hubs by building their capacity to support startups and businesses and build a thriving, innovative economy in Africa. Visit www.afrilabs.com for more information. Every year, AfriLabs hosts an Annual Gathering of ecosystem stakeholders to plot the way forward for the continent’s entrepreneurial growth. This year’s edition is going virtual and will hold conversations on how Africa’s Tech community can build resilient innovative systems. Learn more and be a part of this year’s Gathering here. About Mozilla Mozilla is the not-for-profit behind the popular web browser, Firefox. We believe the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all. We work to ensure it stays open by building products, services and programs that put people in control of their online lives and contribute to a healthier Internet. Firefox protects people’s privacy and empowers users to make smart choices in their online life. Visit www.mozilla.org for more information. To download Firefox for yourself visit www.firefox.com.
La Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs 2021 se tiendra maintenant au Nigéria
Suite à l’évolution de la pandémie mondiale de COVID-19 et aux incertitudes causées par les nouvelles restrictions sur les voyages aériens, le Conseil d’Administration de AfriLabs a décidé que la Rencontre Annuelle de cette année se tiendrait au Nigéria. “Pour des raisons indépendantes de notre volonté, nous ne sommes pas en mesure d’organiser la Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs à Marrakech comme prévu initialement. Afin d’éviter le long processus d’ouverture d’une candidature pour un nouveau pays hôte à ce moment tardif, la Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs 2021 sera organisée à Abuja, au Nigéria, où se situe notre Secrétariat. Le Conseil d’Administration et la Communauté de AfriLabs sont reconnaissants pour tout le soutien apporté par Douar Tech, notre hub membre Marocain qui a travaillé diligemment depuis 2020 pour accueillir cet événement et nous espérons pouvoir organiser la Rencontre Annuelle au Maroc lors d’une prochaine édition.” Le Conseil d’Administration de AfriLabs a déclaré après sa réunion tenue à Dakar. En effet, la Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs 2021 est une édition importante car elle coïncide avec le 10e anniversaire de AfriLabs et nous donne l’opportunité de mettre en lumière la croissance et l’évolution de l’Écosystème Africain d’Innovation. Pour en savoir plus sur la Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs, consultez le site www.afrilabs-gathering.com. Pour plus d’informations concernant les possibilités de participer à la Rencontre en tant que sponsor o u partenaire, veuillez contacter: Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu Responsable des Événements de l’Écosystème Email : Jen@afrilabs.com Tél : +234 7081350087
AfriLabs and Djembe Consultants Unveil Report on Building a Resilient Innovative Africa
AfriLabs, the largest pan-African network of technology and innovation centres in partnership with Djembe Consultants, the award-winning Africa-focused communications consultancy, launched an Insights Report during the 2020 AfriLabs Annual Gathering. The report assesses the impact of COVID-19 on the continent’s young innovators and entrepreneurs and provides perspectives from industry experts as to how African decisionmakers from both the public and private sectors can accelerate support across the full innovation spectrum including education, inclusivity, investment, policy and research and development. The continent’s survival DNA, always durable to internal and external shocks of all shapes and forms, proves a resilience in its youthful demographic, one that is constantly creating, innovating, and looking ahead. Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director, AfriLabs Themed ‘Building a Resilient Innovative Africa’, the report is a result of a survey of over 1,000 pan-African innovators, entrepreneurs, and start-ups from both Djembe’s and AfriLabs’ vast innovation and entrepreneurship networks. Framed within the context of key milestones for the continent, including the impending African Free Trade Continental Area (AfCFTA), UN SDGs, and the African Union Agenda 2063, the report also brings together the expert perspectives of individuals from some of the continent’s leading development and private sector organizations including the African Union, African Development Bank, Afreximbank, Honoris United Universities, Mastercard Foundation, Mozilla, SMART Africa, and UN Women amongst others. It features unique insights from regional innovations hubs as well as celebrates inspiring African homegrown innovation success stories. Djembe Consultants’ Chief Executive Officer, Mitchell Prather, commented, “Djembe’s latest Insights Report reaffirms our strongly held belief that the African innovation ecosystem is singularly the most important enabler of widespread socio-economic development. Despite the innate resilience African innovators and SMEs have shown during this challenging year, this ecosystem urgently needs further intervention of policymakers and industry supporters to create a more conducive environment for innovators and SMEs to survive and thrive. While the uncertainties of COVID-19 continue to threaten economic stability and growth, future economic prosperity can be greatly enhanced by nurturing the African innovation spirit to prepare the continent for incredible success, just when it needs it most.” Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director at AfriLabs and contributor to the report, added, “The continent’s survival DNA, always durable to internal and external shocks of all shapes and forms, proves a resilience in its youthful demographic, one that is constantly creating, innovating, and looking ahead. Though we are have observed policymakers and governments step up to varying degrees, more needs to be done to drive greater innovation inclusivity from securing access to data, to reimagining education, investing in R&D and supporting international expansion. By building a more resilient innovative Africa, the region can truly embrace its full potential.” Scaling Homegrown Innovations Beyond Borders Majority of the entrepreneurs (90%) are likely to need to or be able to scale their business in the wake of COVID-19 74% say they are currently exploring the possibility of entering international markets 51% indicate that while they are aware of state support, they find this support to be inadequate in meeting their current business scaling needs Majority of innovators and startups (42%) see innovation hubs as potential platforms to access funding, followed by networking opportunities, capacity building and R&D Strengthening Policy Development to Encourage R&D and Innovation Investor funding is the number one issue governments must address to build innovation resilience. This is followed by fostering entrepreneurship and eradicating corruption Driving Innovation Inclusivity – Women, Youth, and Informal Markets Majority of entrepreneurs (45%) feel that the creation of expanded market opportunities for homegrown businesses is the main key driver of innovation inclusivity. This is followed by the provision of support services and the curation of capacity development programs to address the unique challenges of operating in the informal markets are key to driving innovation inclusivity on the continent. A high proportion of respondents (41%) do not feel there is enough support from the private and public sector to drive greater inclusivity within hubs and the wider innovation ecosystem The full report can be accessed online here.
DÉFI DE L’INNOVATION AGA – FORMATION D’ACCÉLÉRATEUR : DÉMOCRATIE ET GOUVERNANCE EN AFRIQUE
Dans le cadre de l’Agenda 2063 de l’Union africaine, qui vise à créer un continent pacifique et uni pour les générations à venir, la Commission a décidé de mettre l’accent sur le thème de cette année “Faire taire les armes : créer des conditions propices au développement de l’Afrique”. Ce thème vise à créer un continent sans conflit et met donc l’accent sur l’engagement des jeunes grâce à leur pensée radicale qui fait naître l’innovation. L’Union Africaine – Architecture de Gouvernance Africaine (AGA) a donc organisé un Défi de l’Innovation pour les Jeunes qui a fait appel à des innovateurs Africains, des centres d’incubation ainsi que des hubs d’innovation avec des initiatives qui contribuent à la démocratie et à la bonne gouvernance. Les candidatures ont été envoyées de toute l’Afrique et de la diaspora. Au total, 20 innovateurs ont été sélectionnés et ils recevront un soutien à partir d’une semaine de formation accélérée virtuelle. Le programme d’accélérateur virtuel est mis en œuvre dans le cadre du projet conjoint AGA – COMESA sur l’engagement des jeunes dans la gouvernance démocratique et la sociologie des processus de développement économique en Afrique, en soutien à la Direction Suisse du Développement et de la Coopération (SDC). L’accélérateur virtuel sera conduit virtuellement par AfriLabs du 23 au 27 Novembre 2020. Le programme d’accélérateur virtuel d’une semaine vise à développer les innovateurs participants et leurs innovations. Cela impliquera de faire venir des experts à bord en tant que facilitateurs et entraîneurs et de mettre à la disposition des innovateurs des connaissances industrielles, techniques et commerciales cruciales. Le programme se déroulera du Lundi 23 au Lundi 30 Novembre 2020 et comprendra Une session conjointe de définition des objectifs avec les innovateurs et leurs entraîneurs. Sessions de formation virtuelle intensive d’une semaine Vérification quotidienne des entraîneurs avec les innovateurs Une session de discussion inspirante par les meilleurs professionnels de l’industrie Un jour de pitch Un coaching de suivi, dont l’intensité sera décidée en fonction des performances et des besoins de chaque innovateur. À la fin du programme, les lauréats seront sélectionnés pour recevoir des reconnaissances et récompenses. La sélection sera basée sur différentes évaluations effectuées avant, pendant et après le programme.
We Are 15 Members Stronger!
We are 15 Members Stronger! As the year gradually comes to an end despite the challenges faced, we are still committed to building a united and more resilient Africa and this cannot be achieved without the collaboration and strength of our community. We are thrilled to welcome 15 new members to our network, which brings us to a total of 240 member hubs in 48 African Countries. We have extended our reach to 2 new cities and a new country, Guinea Bissau. Women’s Haven Africa, TEN Ghana, North-East Humanitarian Innovation Hub, CeedCap Studio, Impact Hub Lagos, Developers in Vogue, Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC), SeedBuilders Innovation Hub, Sensi Tech Innovation Hub and InnovaLab from Western Africa joined our network. In Central Africa, KMR Start-Up HUB has also become a part of the AfriLabs community. We also have Villgro Africa, Aga Khan University – Media Innovation Centre and 250STARTUPS from Eastern Africa. And Tshimologong Precinct (University of Witwatersrand) from Southern Africa. In the third quarter of the year, we admitted 27 new members and this brings us to a total of 70 new members in 2020. “Sensi is both grateful and humbled by the opportunity to join AfriLabs distinguished and esteemed network. We look forward to sharing knowledge, experience and opportunities with other organizations in the network as well as work with them towards finding creative and innovative solutions that will aid our continent and the world beyond in reaching its unimaginable potential. Thank you AfriLabs and now let’s get to work”. – Mohamed Hemoh, Programme Manager, Sensi Tech Innovation Hub. “Villgro Africa is excited to join AfriLabs. This announcement comes at time that we are gearing for a Pan-African expansion. Part of Villgro Africa expansion strategy will be through joint incubation programs with other incubators and Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) across the continent. As we venture into new geographies we couldn’t think of a better network than AfriLabs” – Wilfred Njagi, CEO Villgro Africa “For us, collaborations and synergies are proving to be a win-win solution not only for ecosystem actors (hubs), but for industries and the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Being part of the Afrilabs network just confirms this rightly.” – Adulai Bary, Co-founder & CEO of InnovaLab Kenechukwu Chukwu, Member Services Coordinator further emphasised AfriLabs commitment to supporting innovation hubs. “AfriLabs is committed to giving African Technology and Innovation Hubs opportunities to collaborate with themselves and have access to funding and capacity building resources. With the admission of these 15 hubs, AfriLabs has expanded into a new country and we promise to continue to support our members and other stakeholders in the African Innovation Ecosystem.”
AGA INNOVATION CHALLENGE – ACCELERATOR TRAINING: DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA
In line with the Agenda 2063 of the African Union that aims to achieve a peaceful and united continent for generations to come, the Commission decided to theme this year “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s development’. The theme aims to achieve a conflict-free continent and thus setting its focus on youth engagement due to their radical thinking which births innovation. The African Union – African Governance Architecture (AGA) therefore organized a Youth Innovation Challenge which called for African innovators, incubation centres as well as innovation hubs with initiatives that contribute to democracy and good governance. Applications were sent in from across Africa and the diaspora, a total of 20 innovators were shortlisted and they will be receiving support beginning through a one-week virtual accelerator training. The virtual accelerator program is implemented under the AGA – COMESA joint project on youth engagement in democratic governance and sociology economic development processes in Africa in support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The virtual accelerator shall be conducted virtually by AfriLabs from the 23 – 27 November 2020. The one-week virtual accelerator program aims to grow the participating innovators and their innovations. This will entail bringing onboard experts as facilitators and coaches and making available crucial industry, technical and business knowledge to the innovators. The program will run from Monday, the 23rd to Monday, the 30th of November 2020, and will consist of: A joint goal setting session with innovators and their coaches One-week intensive virtual training sessions Daily coach check-ins with innovators An inspirational talk session by top industry professionals A Pitch Day Follow-on coaching, the intensity of which will be decided based on each innovator’s performance and needs. At the end of the program, winners will be selected for recognition and awards. Selection will be based on different evaluations carried out pre, during and post the program.
Nous avons 15 membres de plus !
Nous avons 15 membres de plus ! Alors que l’année se termine progressivement malgré les défis rencontrés, nous sommes toujours engagés à construire une Afrique unie et plus résistante et cela ne peut être réalisé sans la collaboration et la force de notre communauté. Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir 15 nouveaux membres au sein de notre réseau, ce qui nous porte à un total de 240 hubs membres dans 48 pays Africains. Nous avons étendu notre portée à 2 nouvelles villes et à un nouveau pays, la Guinée Bissau. Women’s Haven Africa, TEN Ghana, North-East Humanitarian Innovation Hub, CeedCap Studio, Impact Hub Lagos, Developers in Vogue, Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC), SeedBuilders Innovation Hub, Sensi Tech Innovation Hub et InnovaLab d’Afrique occidentale ont rejoint notre réseau. En Afrique centrale, le KMR Start-Up HUB est également devenu membre de la communauté AfriLabs. Nous avons également ajouté Villgro Africa, l’Université Aga Khan – Centre d’Innovation des médias et 250STARTUPS de l’Afrique de l’Est. Et Tshimologong Precinct (Université de Witwatersrand) d’Afrique australe. Au cours du troisième trimestre de l’année, nous avons admis 27 nouveaux membres, ce qui nous amène à un total de 70 nouveaux membres en 2020. “Sensi est à la fois reconnaissant et humble de l’opportunité de rejoindre AfriLabs, un réseau distingué et estimé. Nous sommes impatients de partager nos connaissances, notre expérience et nos opportunités avec d’autres organisations du réseau et de travailler avec elles pour trouver des solutions créatives et innovantes qui aideront notre continent et le monde entier à atteindre son potentiel inimaginable. Merci à AfriLabs et maintenant mettons-nous au travail”. – Mohamed Hemoh, Directeur de Programme, Sensi Tech Innovation Hub. “Villgro Africa est enthousiaste à l’idée de rejoindre AfriLabs. Cette annonce arrive au moment où nous nous préparons à une expansion panafricaine. Une partie de la stratégie d’expansion de Villgro Africa se fera par le biais de programmes d’incubation conjoints avec d’autres incubateurs et Organisations de Soutien aux Entreprises (OSEs) à travers le continent. Alors que nous nous aventurons dans les nouvelles zones géographiques, nous ne pourrions pas penser à un meilleur réseau qu’AfriLabs” – Wilfred Njagi, PDG de Villgro Africa. “Pour nous, les collaborations et les synergies s’avèrent être une solution avantageuse pour tous, non seulement pour les acteurs de l’écosystème (hubs), mais aussi pour les industries et l’écosystème entrepreneurial Africain. Faire partie du réseau AfriLabs ne fait que le confirmer à juste titre”. – Adulai Bary, co-fondateur et PDG d’InnovaLab. Kenechukwu Chukwu, Coordonnatrice des Services aux Membres, a également souligné l’engagement d’AfriLabs à soutenir les hubs d’innovation. “AfriLabs s’engage à donner aux Hubs Africains de la Technologie et de l’Innovation l’opportunité de collaborer avec eux-mêmes et d’avoir accès à des ressources de financement et de renforcement des capacités. Avec l’admission de ces 15 hubs, AfriLabs s’est développé dans un nouveau pays et nous promettons de continuer à soutenir nos membres et les autres parties prenantes de l’écosystème de l’innovation africaine.