AfriLabs - Afrikan Heroes

AfriLabs Adds 24 New Members to the African Hubs Network

August 4, 2021

Kenechukwu Chukwu, member services manager at AfriLabs

The Pan-African innovation hub network AfriLabs has announced the addition of 24 new members drawn from across the continent bringing its total membership to 292 across 49 countries. The hub network was established in 2011, AfriLabs is a network of technology innovation hubs on the continent, with a mission to support the growth of these hubs and their communities to raise high potential entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa. The new addition to its network means that AfriLabs has extended its reach to seven new cities.

Speaking of the development, Kenechukwu Chukwu, member services manager at AfriLabs said that “As we get closer to our goal of building a thriving innovation economy in Africa, it gives us great pleasure that we have been able to gain entrance into seven cities and grow the community to 292 hubs and we are super excited for the endless opportunities these new additions will bring.”

New members from West Africa are Black Innovations Africa – Jos, Nigeria; Mentors Innovation Hub – Yola, Nigeria; Grazac – Abeokuta, Nigeria; Opolo Global Innovation – Lagos, Nigeria; Edufun Technik STEM Hub – Onitsha, Nigeria; Data Science, Nigeria; Ado Business Incubation Centre (ABIC Hub) – Onitsha, Nigeria; iValley Ghana – Damongo, Ghana; Ghana Innovation Hub – Accra, Ghana; Tamale International Hub – Tamale, Ghana; Start-Up SME Centres – Kumasi, Ghana; North East Innovation Hub – Walewale, Ghana; Eastern Tech Hub – Koforidua, Ghana; Expert’labs Mali – Bamako, Mali; Fondation Jeunesse Numérique – Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast; Le Boukarou – Douala, Cameroon; and Mahna – Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Konetahub (Juba, South Sudan) and Collective Lab (Tunis, Tunisia) join from Northern Africa, REDHub (Durban, South Africa) from Southern Africa, while East African additions are Techbuzz Hub – Kampala, Uganda; Future Females Invest – Beau Plan, Mauritius; Kiota Hub – Iringa, Tanzania; and AMCET Innovation Hub – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

African Hubs Network AfriLabs Expands With 28 New Members

April 15, 2021

Anna Ekeledo, executive director of AfriLabs

Pan-African innovation hub network AfriLabs has added an additional 28 new members to expand its total membership to 268 across 49 countries. Founded in 2011, AfriLabs is a network of technology innovation hubs on the continent, with a mission to support the growth of these hubs and their communities to raise high potential entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa.

The new additions to its network mean AfriLabs has extended its reach to seven new cities and one new country – Comoros. Joining the network from Western Africa are 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.

From East Africa, new members are 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 Centre and The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs.

From Central Africa, WETECH, Youth Business Cameroon (YBC), Startup Factory Djibouti, Kum’lab, and Akewa Accelerateur became a part of the AfriLabs family, while Innovation Co-Lab Durban, and The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs join from Southern Africa. Also added are 249 Startups and The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Innovation Hubs from Northern Africa.

“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,” said Anna Ekeledo, executive director of AfriLabs.

“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.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

African Hubs Network Grows to 240 Members

December 11, 2020

Africa’s leading network of technology innovation hubs AfriLabs has grown its network strength to 240 members with the addition of 15 new entrants to expand its total membership to 240 across 48 countries. The Hubs which was founded nine years ago with a mission to support the growth of these hubs and their communities to raise high potential entrepreneurs has the objective to stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa.The 15 new additions to its network mean AfriLabs has extended its reach to two new cities and a new country – Guinea Bissau.

Kenechukwu Chukwu, AfriLabs member services coordinator.

In West Africa, the new members are 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, while Tshimologong Precinct (University of Witwatersrand) from Southern Africa also joins.

In East Africa, Villgro Africa, Aga Khan University – Media Innovation Centre, and 250STARTUPS have joined, while in Central Africa KMR Start-Up HUB has become a part of the AfriLabs community.

“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,” said Kenechukwu Chukwu, AfriLabs member services coordinator.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry