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AfriLabs, a diverse and inclusive community of innovation and enterprise supporters across Africa have welcomed 28 new hubs to their network.
They are now in 7 new cities and 1 new country, Comoros and this brings the network to a total of 268 innovation hubs in 49 African countries.
With the number of innovation hubs springing up on the continent, it is crucial that they have a community of like-minded individuals to co-create with and also have adequate support for growth.
These hubs as we know play a pivotal role in the economic growth and development of their various countries.
AfriLabs made a commitment 10 years ago to promote and support innovation across the continent and this involves building a community that provides solutions to solve real-life issues for Africans and solving those problems affects the rest of the world at large, and this has remained their goal.
On the latest admission of members into the network, Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs said:
“We are always excited when we admit new members into our network. A journey that started 10 years ago, we still remain true to our core values of building and supporting a community that powers innovation in Africa.
“The future is full of opportunities for the African Tech Ecosystem because of communities like ours, and our arms are always open to innovation hubs that want to be a part of us!”
Joining the network from Western Africa is Ilorin Innovation Hub, Unimak Workflow Innovation Hub, Duapa Werkspace, 8thGear Hub, Cirkle Labs, Equilibrium Zone, Fobespace Hub, The Hub, GoGlobal Hub, Dare to Innovate, Vision Incubation Hub, Noni Hub, Impact Cove and The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs.
They welcomed the Institute of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (SIMAD University), Muni University Business Incubation Centre (Muni University), SNDBX International, WITU Hub, DICOS Incubator LLP, Com’Work, Nakuru Box Innovation Center and The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs from Eastern Africa.
And from Central Africa, WETECH, Youth Business Cameroon (YBC), Startup Factory Djibouti, Kum’lab, Akewa Accelerateur became a part of the AfriLabs family.
Also, Innovation Co-Lab Durban, The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs from Southern Africa. 249 Startups and The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs from Northern Africa are part of AfriLabs newest members.
“The impact of collaboration in the African technology and innovation ecosystem can never be overemphasized. It is pleasing for us as a network to foster more connectivity for hubs across Africa and also ensure the growth and sustainability of our ecosystem through our constant expansion.
We are glad to welcome another addition to the AfriLabs network, as we look forward to achieving an innovative Africa together.” said Kenechukwu .C. Chukwu, Member Services Manager at AfriLabs in her comment about the new members.
Michael Asante Saforo, Hub manager, Duapa Werkspace, one of the newly admitted hubs said that his organisation is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the AfriLabs network.
“Being part of AfriLabs will boost our reach to do more for young entrepreneurs and startups and we couldn’t be more grateful. We aspire to contribute our quota to the goals of AfriLabs and more.
Duapa Werkspace being in the Western Region of Ghana places us in a strategic spot to connect the youth to a lot of wonderful opportunities.”
Last year, AfriLabs gave over 250,000 euros to 17 of its members to execute support programmes for entrepreneurs and innovators in their communities, under its Capacity Building Programme funded by Agence Française de Développement through the Digital Africa Seed Fund.
Esther Nansbuga, Programmes Manager, Women In Technology Uganda also a newly admitted hub said her team looks forward to connecting with other hubs across Africa to learn and share knowledge to support young women and girls to become innovative, technologists, and entrepreneurs in Africa’s tech economy.
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