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 !
Histoire De Réussite De AAG
La Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs (AAG) est connu pour susciter la collaboration entre les acteurs clés de l’économie africaine de l’innovation, conduisant à un impact accru sur le continent par toutes les parties impliquées. Les parties prenantes telles que les hubs, les entreprises, les gouvernements et autres ont toujours tiré d’énormes avantages de cet événement phare de la communauté de AfriLabs. Pour les hubs à travers l’Afrique, le AAG est connu pour faciliter la réalisation des objectifs organisationnels. L’une de ces réussites a été enregistrée par TechQuest STEM, Lagos, Nigéria. TechQuest STEM est une organisation à but non lucratif qui fournit du contenu, des ressources et des outils de technologie éducative pour la prestation de programmes STEM (Science, Technologie, Ingénierie et Mathématiques), de TIC et de littératie numérique aux jeunes Africains à grande échelle. Ayant participé à plusieurs programmes percutants proposés par AfriLabs, y compris, mais sans s’y limiter, le AAG 2021, les rencontres virtuelles de AfriLabs, les semaines d’apprentissage de AfriLabs et les visites d’écoute, TechQuest STEM a amélioré ses processus d’intégration et ses mesures d’évaluation de l’impact tout en examinant constamment des moyens innovants pour s’assurer qu’un retour d’information boucle est inclus dans leurs programmes. En outre, TechQuest STEM a participé au programme de renforcement des capacités de AfriLabs (ACBP), après quoi le hub a enregistré les réalisations majeures suivantes : établissement d’une collaboration régionale et interrégionale en Afrique avec d’autres hubs membres de AfriLabs; l’augmentation de sa communauté de mentors dans 13 pays à plus de 90 mentors ; impactant plus de 700 femmes entrepreneurs (500 au Nigéria et 200 au Soudan du Sud) dans le cadre du programme de soutien aux femmes entrepreneurs (FESP), une initiative collaborative de TechQuest STEM Academy et Junub Open Space; et a remporté l’une des bourses de rencontre virtuelle de AfriLabs sur les ODD et COVID 19, entre autres. AfriLabs continue d’offrir une gamme diversifiée de produits percutants aux parties prenantes de la communauté Africaine de l’innovation, et le AAG 2022 est une autre opportunité qui promet d’être aussi chargée que jamais. Ne manquez pas celui-ci. Inscrivez-vous ici: www.afrilabsgathering.com et participez à la Rencontre physiquement ou virtuellement pour tirer parti des connaissances partagées.
Histoire De Réussite De AAG
La Rencontre Annuelle de AfriLabs (AAG) est connu pour susciter la collaboration entre les acteurs clés de l’économie africaine de l’innovation, conduisant à un impact accru sur le continent par toutes les parties impliquées. Les parties prenantes telles que les hubs, les entreprises, les gouvernements et autres ont toujours tiré d’énormes avantages de cet événement phare de la communauté de AfriLabs. Pour les hubs à travers l’Afrique, le AAG est connu pour faciliter la réalisation des objectifs organisationnels. L’une de ces réussites a été enregistrée par TechQuest STEM, Lagos, Nigéria. TechQuest STEM est une organisation à but non lucratif qui fournit du contenu, des ressources et des outils de technologie éducative pour la prestation de programmes STEM (Science, Technologie, Ingénierie et Mathématiques), de TIC et de littératie numérique aux jeunes Africains à grande échelle. Ayant participé à plusieurs programmes percutants proposés par AfriLabs, y compris, mais sans s’y limiter, le AAG 2021, les rencontres virtuelles de AfriLabs, les semaines d’apprentissage de AfriLabs et les visites d’écoute, TechQuest STEM a amélioré ses processus d’intégration et ses mesures d’évaluation de l’impact tout en examinant constamment des moyens innovants pour s’assurer qu’un retour d’information boucle est inclus dans leurs programmes. En outre, TechQuest STEM a participé au programme de renforcement des capacités de AfriLabs (ACBP), après quoi le hub a enregistré les réalisations majeures suivantes : établissement d’une collaboration régionale et interrégionale en Afrique avec d’autres hubs membres de AfriLabs; l’augmentation de sa communauté de mentors dans 13 pays à plus de 90 mentors ; impactant plus de 700 femmes entrepreneurs (500 au Nigéria et 200 au Soudan du Sud) dans le cadre du programme de soutien aux femmes entrepreneurs (FESP), une initiative collaborative de TechQuest STEM Academy et Junub Open Space; et a remporté l’une des bourses de rencontre virtuelle de AfriLabs sur les ODD et COVID 19, entre autres. AfriLabs continue d’offrir une gamme diversifiée de produits percutants aux parties prenantes de la communauté Africaine de l’innovation, et le AAG 2022 est une autre opportunité qui promet d’être aussi chargée que jamais. Ne manquez pas celui-ci. Inscrivez-vous ici: www.afrilabsgathering.com et participez à la Rencontre physiquement ou virtuellement pour tirer parti des connaissances partagées.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the Kenyan Innovation Ecosystem
An overview of the challenges Kenya has faced following the disruption of the Global Pandemic of 2020. The first Covid-19 case in Kenya was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in Nairobi on 12th March 2020. This was followed by a period of lockdown of major cities with economic and social activities mostly brought to a halt. But specifically, how did the pandemic impact Kenya’s innovation ecosystem? And what can be done to assure future resilience? KTN Global Alliance and AfriLabs – A synergy The economic realities of the pandemic have led many within the African innovation ecosystems to look for ways to keep their innovations alive, with varying degrees of success. In order to track the impact of the pandemic on the innovation ecosystem in Africa, AfriLabs and KTN Global Alliance worked together to deliver a rapid analysis of the innovation ecosystem’s response to the pandemic in Kenya. Our research looked into the impact of the pandemic on the innovation ecosystem, the response to it, the success and failures and the opportunities to strengthen the Kenyan innovation ecosystem. What has been the main impact of the pandemic? The impact of the pandemic in Kenya is similar to the impact in South Africa and Nigeria – the two other focus countries. The initial spread and uncertainty around the nature of the virus resulted in the implementation of a months-long nationwide lockdown by the government. A huge effort went into healthcare, ensuring large scale testing and treatment through existing and purpose-built infrastructure. Large scale economic support was made available, with a focus on supporting the basic needs of the poorest. Many businesses and organisations had to adapt to digital purchase and delivery of goods and services, while the rest failed or temporarily suspended operations. What are the lessons learnt? At the most basic level, all businesses have had to adapt to the new climate, with remote working the new way of the world. In Kenya, we found strong reciprocal support between the International community and government/public bodies. NGOs and Charities also worked effectively with the international community to address the impact of the virus. We found important lessons that should form the basis for future responses to emergencies. There is evidence of a stronger digital education system and a drive towards medical care gear in the manufacturing sector. We found major failings in the ability of many small or startup businesses to respond to the restrictions occasioned by the virus. Stakeholders identified lack of funding for them to execute timely pivots, lack of access to digital channels (resulting from a lack of access to affordable internet and data), lack of digital literacy and lack of accessible business mentorship and support. The innovation ecosystem eventually responded by providing many of the above support, but for many, it was too late. Specific impact on innovation funding In Kenya, significant funding from government and ecosystem support organisations were almost immediately redirected to feeding arrangements and the supply of food packages to the poorest of the poor. The immediate impact on innovators was far fewer funds available, especially to the already struggling early-stage startups. Furthermore, the prevailing uncertainty meant that businesses turned away from their growth strategies towards newly defined “survival strategies” resulting in fewer opportunities for the innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs to access institutional funding. What direction should future research and analysis take? Innovators need skills and tools to forecast their short to medium-term fiscal situations and assess changes to these predictions in almost real-time to make quick shifts and alterations. Many startups struggle to get a firm grasp of these numbers and how they will evolve with changing economic conditions and consumer behaviours. Support organisations can help by providing technical assistance around financial modelling and data-based decision making. Also, future research and analysis into business support methods to improve or in the minimum maintain the channelling of funds to early-stage entrepreneurs in emergency times and for critical survival pivots would be helpful. Critical is the analysis of infrastructure, access to data, business coaching and mentorship as well as governmental policies required to fuel the continued growth of entrepreneurs and innovators in the local ecosystem in emergency and post-emergency times. Recommendations towards greater resilience Given the size and scope of the economic impact of the pandemic, there is the need to implement certain strategies for future resilience. Resilience is as much a tool for persisting during a crisis as it is for thriving. Now, more than ever, programme design and intervention strategies for players within the innovation ecosystem must be intended at assisting them build resilience in the immediate to long-term. Implementing the following recommendations would aid such resilience. Greater access to flexible and responsive financing support. Increased digital literacy and access to affordable data. Greater resilience through targeted policy design. Identify and facilitate value-driven partnerships. You can view a slide presentation which analyses the innovation response here. Also, read about the impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian Innovation Ecosystem. About KTN Global Alliance Africa KTN Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project co-funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), and with the strategic partnership of Innovate UK to drive networking activities that can help foster long-lasting, strategic partnerships between Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, the UK and across sub-Saharan Africa. In doing so, it aims to accelerate innovations that promote economic growth and job creation. Learn more about KTN Global Alliance here: www.ktn-uk.org/programme/africa.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the Nigerian Innovation Ecosystem
The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. How did the pandemic impact Nigeria’s tech ecosystem? And what can be done to guarantee future resilience? KTN Global Alliance and AfriLabs – A synergy Early in March 2020, Africa’s Covid-19 cases by country were in the single digits, but by mid-month those numbers had spiked, leading the World Health Organisation to sound an alarm. This has led many within the African innovation ecosystems to look for ways to address the impacts of the pandemic. In order to track the impact of the pandemic on the innovation ecosystem in Africa, AfriLabs and KTN Global Alliance worked together to deliver a rapid analysis of innovation response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with focuses on Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Our research looked into the impact of the pandemic on the innovation ecosystem, the response to it, the success and failures, and the opportunities to strengthen the African innovation ecosystem. What has been the main impact of the pandemic? The impact of the pandemic in Nigeria is similar to the impact in South Africa and Kenya – the two other focus countries. Nigeria was among the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify Covid-19 cases and has since implemented strict measures to contain the spread of the virus. From the onset, enormous effort went into healthcare, ensuring that more people got tested and treated through existing and purpose-built infrastructure, especially in Lagos. As a way of cushioning the effect of the strict measures, the Federal Government of Nigeria rolled out palliative measures for targeted groups, focusing on supporting the basic needs of the poorest – more people outside of the formal system were hit devastatingly by the lockdown. On the education front, the education sector was closed physically and resumed digitally (through e-learning) where possible. Some state governments launched television and radio programs while some private schools were able to continue following a remarkable transition to e-learning. However, the greater majority of schools were not able to transition to e-learning due to the “digital divide” in Nigeria where major parts of the society lack digital skills and access to the internet and affordable data. Many businesses that could provide all or part of their services digitally continued operations while the rest were brought to a complete standstill. Some major organisations closed down for good, while many others laid off staff out of necessity and in an effort to save their overall businesses. Examples of such were innovations in the tourism and entertainment sector. What are the lessons learnt? Despite the fact that the Nigerian innovation ecosystem was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, some sectors were able to adjust rapidly. The education sector is one (albeit a small portion of the market). There was also a drive towards medical care gear in the manufacturing sector. SMEs and entrepreneurs that had the option to adjust their plans and turn their business models to a full or partial online service were the ones that succeeded. While those that felt overwhelmed, bet on a quicker return to normalcy or required an up close and personal relationship to serve their client failed or nearly failed. The specific impact on innovation funding The immediate impact on innovators was far less funding available, especially to the already struggling early-stage startups. Furthermore, the prevailing uncertainty meant that businesses turned away from their growth strategies towards newly defined “survival strategies” resulting in fewer opportunities for the innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs to access institutional funding. What barriers and opportunities did stakeholders identify? The key weaknesses recognised by stakeholders include limited funding (particularly for early-stage and pivot innovations), lack of access to digital channels (resulting from a lack of access to affordable internet and data), lack of digital literacy and lack of accessible business mentorship and support. While the Nigerian innovation ecosystem eventually responded by providing many of the above support to innovators, shortcomings exist in reach and timeline of provision. Read about the impact of COVID-19 on the Keyan Innovation Ecosystem. What direction should future research and analysis take? Startups need models to help them better forecast their short to medium term fiscal situations during emergencies, as well as help in making quick shifts and alterations in response to them. Many startups struggle to get a firm grasp of financial numbers and how they will evolve with emergencies, changing economic conditions and consumer behaviours. Support organisations can help by providing technical assistance around financial modelling and data-based decision making. Furthermore, future research and analysis into business support methods to improve or at a minimum maintain the channelling of funds to early startup entrepreneurs in emergency times and for critical survival pivots would be helpful. Also critical is the analysis of infrastructure, access to data, business coaching and mentorship as well as governmental policies required to fuel the continuous growth of entrepreneurs and innovators in the local ecosystem in emergency and post-emergency times in Nigeria. Recommendations towards greater resilience Given the extent of the economic impact of the pandemic, there is the need to implement other recovery strategies for future resilience. Resilience is as much a tool for persisting during a crisis as it is for thriving. Now, more than ever, programme design and intervention strategies for players within the innovation ecosystem must be intended at assisting them to build resilience in the immediate to long-term. Implementing the following recommendations would aid such resilience. Greater access to flexible and responsive financing support. Increased digital literacy and access to affordable data. Greater resilience through targeted policy design. Identify and facilitate value-driven partnerships. You can view a slide presentation which analyses the innovation response here. About KTN Global Alliance Africa KTN Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project co-funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), and with the strategic partnership of Innovate UK to drive networking activities that can help foster long-lasting, strategic partnerships between Nigeria,
Our stand on targeted police brutality against tech communities
A speech delivered by Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director, AfriLabs at the 2020 AfriLabs Annual Gathering. Good morning to everyone here today. To our innovation hub members logged in from all over Africa and our diaspora members from all over the world, we are really excited and grateful to have you with us today. We are one large family and we have supported each other through the years in the work we do building an innovation-driven economy in Africa and particularly this really tough year with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Thank you! Good morning to all our partners, funders, friends and larger community of innovators, entrepreneurs and startups from across over 47 African countries and beyond. We welcome you today. Before we move on the main programme for today and hand over to our Board Chair to give the Official Opening Address, I would like to draw your attention to the ongoing situation in Nigeria. We young people in Nigeria and all over the world are calling for the end of the Nigerian Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a corrupt unit of the Nigerian police. Over the weekend, unfortunately, our peaceful protests have been met with violent responses from the police, which has led to the deaths of 9 protesters including a 10-year-old boy, with many more arrested or missing. Why is this important to talk about on this platform? Because young people, including those within the Nigerian tech and creative communities, are being targeted for moving about with laptops, smartphones, looking casually dressed or even successful. They have been searched, robbed, brutalised, gone missing and killed for no reason!! At AfriLabs, our vision is an innovation-driven economy in Africa, driven by the power of our Community. As such, we cannot be silent when our community members are being killed by police brutality in Nigeria or any other African country. I call on everyone who cares about the growth, safety and lives of our young people in Africa to speak up on these heinous crimes against our people and make a call that – and I quote – hashtag #SARSMustEnd! Thank you! Now I will hand over to Rebecca Enonchong, Board Chair of AfriLabs for her Official Opening Remark. From the time of the speech was made to the time of the publication at 12 October 2020, another death allegedly by the police has been recorded at the protests. Read all you need to know about police brutality and the Nigerian Tech Ecosystem here.
“At AfriLabs, we have seen resilience in the face of unprecedented disruption” – Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director, AfriLabs
The year 2020 brought with it a plethora of emotions, experiences, and social, economic, political, and health events mainly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of us suffered loss and to those I say, in solidarity, our hearts continue to be with you and your families as you navigate into the year. In spite of all of this, we are incredibly proud of the efforts of our community members, especially innovation hubs across the continent. At AfriLabs, we have seen resilience in the face of unprecedented disruption. Every day in the past year, we worked with our community members who have stepped up to the challenge to support businesses across Africa navigate the negative effects of the pandemic; and build innovative solutions leveraging digital technologies to support governments, organizations, and society to increase access to healthcare, products, and services needed. To properly showcase our impact in 2020, we have created a concise report of our activities in the last year where we saw the power of our community shine through. We now believe more than ever that if we work together, we can overcome anything. We can build, grow, and achieve our vision of an Innovation Economy in Africa, driven by the power of our community. We are a resilient people and this report showcases our stories, through the voices of our team, our members, partners, and everyone who has worked with us or been impacted by us last year. This year, AfriLabs will be 10 years old 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 say a big thank you! If you haven’t joined us in building the Africa of our dreams…well, let’s make it happen in the new year 2021. Download the 2020 AfriLabs impact report here. Have an amazing 2021, Anna Ekeledo Executive Director, AfriLabs