AfriLabs

AfriLabs is a network of 40 technology innovation hubs in 20 countries across Africa. It was founded in 2011 with a desire to build a community around rapidly emerging tech hubs in Africa. Each hub serves as a physical nexus point for developers, entrepreneurs, and investors. AfriLabs is working through these spaces to build an innovation infrastructure that will encourage the growth of Africa’s knowledge economy by supporting the development of start-ups, technology, and innovation.

AfriLabs aims to support the growth of a technology and innovation economy across Africa. We believe that investing in an infrastructure for indigenous technology innovation and knowledge creation—with hubs serving as centers of excellence—enables Africa to participate in the global knowledge/innovation marketplace, thereby stimulating economic growth.

AfriLabs is building this infrastructure by focusing on three strategic priorities:

Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration

Knowledge sharing and collaboration operate on three levels. The first level is basic communication. The second level focuses on knowledge sharing, or members’ ability to share information and best practices. The third level centers on collaboration or the degree to which members co-pilot initiatives and deliver collaborative projects.

Capacity & Resource Sustainability

Sustainability for AfriLabs members has two dimensions: (human) capacity and (financial) resource. Because most hub management teams are lean and multi-functional, AfriLabs will invest in building their capacity. Additionally, most hubs will need to carve a path to sustainability within a 3-5 year period.

Community Building & Strategic Partnerships

AfriLabs acknowledges its core competencies, understands the complementary skills and knowledge possessed by other players in the ecosystem, and forms partnerships to affect ecosystem-level change.

Our Moonshot

In 2020, AfriLabs will be the strongest network of African tech innovation hubs with active members in each of the 53 countries on the African continent.

AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2016 set for October in Accra, Ghana.

The Annual Gathering  will provide a unique opportunity for members and other stakeholders to convene, learn the latest hub insights, and build partnerships between and with hubs. It is going be an assemblage of hub managers, start-ups, innovators & local developer communities  from over 20 African countries. Click here for more information

See: http://afrilabs.com/