AFRILABS BACKGROUND

AfriLabs is a network organization supporting over 500 technology and innovation hubs across 53 African countries. We support the growth of technology hubs and their community to raise high potential entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa. We do this by providing capacity building resources, financing, mentoring and networking opportunities to our network members.

BACKGROUND

Africa, and Nigeria in particular, stands at a critical juncture in its quest for economic diversification and technological advancement. Despite the continent’s abundant natural resources and a rapidly growing youth population, there are significant barriers to achieving sustainable economic growth and technological self-reliance. These barriers include inadequate infrastructure, limited access to cutting-edge technology, and a lack of support for innovation and entrepreneurship. Establishing an innovation hub can address these challenges by providing infrastructure, mentorship, and resources to help young Nigerian innovators, startups, and businesses develop and commercialize new technologies, fostering innovation and competitiveness. NASENI, with its mandate to drive industrialization and technological advancement in Nigeria, is well positioned to lead this initiative, given its experience, vision, and mission to support indigenous innovation and industrial growth. By establishing an innovation hub, NASENI can bridge the support gap for innovators, enhance collaboration, and accelerate the development of market-ready products, thereby boosting Nigeria’s economic productivity and achieving its industrialization objectives. 

The objective of setting up the NASENI Innovation Hub is to provide hands-on support programs, infrastructure to Nigerian innovators and startups. The specific objectives are to:

• Support innovators & startups through incubation and acceleration programs to convert their ideas into sustainable businesses 

• Facilitate Networking by establishing an ecosystem that connects innovators with key stakeholders fostering knowledge exchange and creating opportunities for funding

• Fuel sustainable innovation and economic growth by encouraging entrepreneurship or ecosystem contribution driving job creation, export growth and technological advancement 

• Improve access to finance by;

• Establishing catalytic funds to drive investment in innovative projects and startups

• Connecting innovators & startups with diverse range of funding sources to fuel growth and expansion

 

THE MAPPING AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

AfriLabs aims to carry out a mapping and needs assessment exercise that will concentrate on gathering and analyzing data and statistics about key stakeholders engaged in the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing sector within the Nigerian Innovation Ecosystem. The primary goal of this project is to conduct a comprehensive Nigerian mapping activity, highlighting the various stakeholders, including hubs, investors, startups, and service providers, active in the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing sector in Nigeria to provide a solid baseline for tailored interventions. The needs assessment will address several critical questions for ecosystem building:

• Needs of Innovators and Startups: What are the biggest challenges faced by innovators and startups in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector? What kind of support do they require, and how should that support be delivered? This will help in designing programs that directly address these needs, ensuring greater impact.

• Existing Resources: Are there existing resources within the ecosystem that can be leveraged? Where are these resources located, and how can the NASENI Hub tap into them, for example, by utilizing platforms like the AfriLabs Academy? Identifying existing resources will help avoid duplication and enhance collaboration.

• Collaboration Opportunities: Who are the key stakeholders within the ecosystem, and what viable collaborations can be established? By identifying potential partners, the hub can foster meaningful collaborations that drive innovation and growth.

• Success Metrics: What Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be used to measure the success of the NASENI Hub? Examples include the number of startups supported, jobs created, investment attracted, and overall impact on the manufacturing sector. Establishing clear metrics will ensure the hub’s progress is tracked and evaluated effectively.

• Policy Landscape: What existing policies either enable or hinder the manufacturing ecosystem, and how can they be harnessed or developed? Understanding the policy environment will allow the hub to advocate for and align with regulations that foster innovation and growth.

The data collected through this exercise will not only validate existing research but also provide invaluable insights into the ground realities of the Nigerian innovation ecosystem in relation to the NASENI Innovation Hub. 

 

OPPORTUNITY

AfriLabs seeks to engage experts who will map out and carry out a needs assessment on Science, Engineering and Manufacturing stakeholders in Nigeria. Specifically, the service is aimed at; 

1. Mapping out the following stakeholders  in the engineering and manufacturing sector in Nigeria; Investors/ Funds/ Funds of Funds, Innovation hubs, Innovators / Startups, Service Providers, Tertiary Institutions, Governments Agencies & Ministries

2. Conducting a project needs assessment using the designed framework 

 

SCOPE OF WORK

The experts will provide specialized expertise in the startup ecosystem to enhance the project’s research and policy recommendations. They will be responsible for the following tasks and deliverables:

1. Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement: 

   1. Develop the concept and approach of the mapping activity.

   2. Review data collection questionnaires and recommend key questions to be included

   3. Carry out the mapping activity on stakeholders in Nigeria. Stakeholders to be mapped out include, but are not limited to,  Investors/ Funds/ Funds of Funds, Innovation hubs, Innovators / Startups, Service Providers, Tertiary Institutions, Governments Agencies & Ministries in Nigeria

   4. Develop a mapping report showing the following:

• Overview of the engineering and landscape ecosystem in Nigeria

• Analysis of innovations, Startups, Innovation centers, BDS and service providers present across the different geopolitical zones

• Challenges and opportunities that exist in the ecosystem

• Analysis of investors/funds/funds of funds available to and for Nigeria

• Analysis of relevant Nigerian entrepreneurship events & tech-networking forums

• Analysis of tertiary institutions that have the potential to serve as R&D centers

2. Needs Assessment, Analysis, and Reporting

   1. Develop a needs assessment framework 

   2. Carry out a needs assessment using the agreed framework

   3. Analyze the data from the needs assessment

   4. Develop and share the needs assessment report

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The Mapping and Needs Assessment Expert should possess the following qualifications:

 

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as Geography, Data Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Mapping Experience: Demonstrated experience in mapping, spatial data collection, and analysis, preferably within innovation ecosystems, economic development, or similar contexts.

• Needs Assessment Experience: Proven experience conducting comprehensive needs assessments, with a focus on understanding and addressing the gaps within innovation ecosystems. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including startups, innovation hubs, investors, and policymakers.

• Ecosystem knowledge: In-depth understanding of the African innovation ecosystem and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.

 

DELIVERABLES

The expert is expected to provide the following:

1. Comprehensive map and database of key thematic hubs within Africa.

2. Detailed reports and presentations on findings, including trends, opportunities, and gaps.

 

DURATION

The expert will be responsible for a fixed-term contract based on the duration of the mapping, which is expected to be from 1st October 2024 to 31st October 2024.

 

Time Commitment: 10 Cumulative Man Days over the project duration of one month

 

Start Date: 1st October 2024

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HOW TO APPLY

Interested experts are invited to submit their application with the subject “NASENI Mapping and Needs Assessment Expert”.

 

For applicants applying as an individual

Send a detailed CV, means of identification, and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience, and examples of prior work within mapping and needs assessment to procurement@afrilabs.com  

 

Please download the Vendor Information Form, fill where applicable, and submit it with the requested documents. 

 

For applicants applying as an organization

• Kindly send the following documents:

• CAC Certification

• Company Registration Documents (C02 & C07)

• Recent Tax Clearance Certificate

• A detailed CV of the Team Lead or owner of the organization (Must meet the education criteria)

• CV of Team members

• means of identification, and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience, and examples of prior work within mapping and needs assessment 

 

This should be sent to procurement@afrilabs.com  

 

Please download the Vendor Information Form, fill and submit it with the requested documents. 

 

The application closes 11:59 pm GMT+1 on the 26th of September 2024. 

 

Remuneration: 3 million Naira. 

 

CLOSING REMARKS

The Mapping Expert’s contributions are expected to significantly enhance the project’s ability to provide meaningful insights and recommendations of the relevant stakeholders within Timbuktoo’s thematic hubs.