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About Africa's Largest Gathering of Innovation Enablers
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering is a transformative event in Africa’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, uniting visionaries, governments, startups, investors, policymakers, and world-class thought leaders to drive sustainable growth and innovation on the continent.
The one of a kind global event, celebrates African ingenuity offering a world-class platform for collaboration and co-creation of solutions for the diverse socio-economic for challenges across the continent. Emphasizing inclusivity and creativity, the Gathering inspires and showcases multi-faceted innovations to generate a positive global impact.
Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking, participants nurture new ideas, partnerships and aspirations for sustainable interventions. This catalytic event propels Africa’s journey towards a prosperous future, empowering communities, creating jobs, and uplifting lives through the power of technology, collaboration, inter-government relationships, entrepreneurship and policy.
7 Years
Of convening Africa Innovation Ecosystem Stakeholders
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What is it about Africa's Digital Economy?
Boasting the youngest population globally, Africa is witnessing a surge in smartphone adoption and internet penetration, fostering a thriving tech ecosystem. McKinsey and Company predict that Africa’s Digital Economy will skyrocket to a staggering $712 billion by 2050, making it one of the most promising markets in the world.
What is it about Africa's Digital Economy?
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering is AfriLabs’ flagship event that provides a unique opportunity for tech hubs within the AfriLabs network and other stakeholders of the African technology and innovation ecosystem (such as corporates, development agencies, academia, and investors) to convene, network, learn and share knowledge.
“Rwanda is always open to welcome regional and global innovators, and more so to champion critical conversations that unlock forward-looking policies and opportunities for the start-up ecosystem. Our goal is to empower scalable startups that collectively transform our communities with cutting edge innovations.”
Hon. Paula Ingabire
Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
“AfriLabs appreciates the people, government, and innovation community in Rwanda for the strides they have made in positioning themselves as one of the most progressive countries on the continent. We thank the Honorable Minister for putting her weight behind platforms like the AfriLabs Annual Gathering. We look forward to onboarding more partners as we approach the Gathering. To the entire African innovation ecosystem, see you in Kigali in October.”
Anna Ekeledo
Executive Director, AfriLabs
schedule of events
Schedules planned out for the Event
The detailed list of event for the congerence AfriLabs 2020
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Event conference speaker
AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022
“The Gathering this year focuses on the innate ability of Africa to build Africa. We want to look inward and interrogate how we can scale the innovation economy regionally and across the continent.
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TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION AND LOGISTICS
Find the Perfect Spot for relaxation
Kigali, Africa’s second most sought-after conference hub, beckons with cutting-edge policies fostering innovation and business expansion. World Bank’s 2nd easiest “Do Business” rank in Africa plus free 72-hour business registration make it a dream investment destination. Thriving as Africa’s ICT nucleus and finance powerhouse via Kigali International Financial Centre, Rwanda promises vast opportunities. Join AfriLabs Annual Gathering to connect with a supportive government, access aid flows, and tap into Rwanda’s dynamic Technology and Innovation Ecosystem for global business growth.
What we are doing this year
AfriLabs at this year’s Gathering aims to leverage our community’s power to highlight opportunities, fill gaps, and shape narratives across Africa. We’ll focus on addressing roadblocks, market access, and solutions to foster the growth of our digital economy by identifying and shaping relevant policies.
Event Tracks & Keynote Speakers
*This track will also feature a closed-door ministerial roundtable focused on policy harmonisation.
We are curating an unforgettable experience for all participants, whether you are streaming or physically attending at Kigali Convention Centre.
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Africa Ascending: Charting the Path to Scalability
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering will host a critical discussion on “Africa Ascending: Charting the Path to Scalability.” This closed-door session aims to leverage the immense potential of the continent and its innovations by bringing together governments, startups, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders. Africa has experienced significant growth in its tech industry, leading to innovation in various sectors. Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, and Kenya have implemented Startup Acts, resulting in increased startup activity, job creation, and poverty reduction. The conversation will involve high-level government ministers and senior officials alongside other innovation stakeholders, and is a collaboration between the Rwandan Ministry of ICT, Africa Europe Foundation, and AfriLabs. The session will be moderated by Stephanie Busari of CNN.
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Meet Our Speakers
Schedule
Day 1: 11th October 2023
| Time | Activities | ||
| 7:30 - 8:50 | Registration | ||
| 8:30 -8:55 | Cultural Performances | ||
| 8.55-9:00 | Introductory Speech Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu Ecosystem Engagement Manager | ||
| 9:00- 9:05 | Poem Oscar Nchaso | ||
| 9:05 - 9:10 | Welcome Address by AfriLabs Board Chair | ||
9:10 - 9:20 | Welcome Address | ||
| 9:20 - 9:30 | Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director AfriLabs | ||
Welcome Keynote Address | |||
| 9:30 - 9::55 | Fire side chat Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director AfriLabs Mr. Yves Iradukunda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT, Rwanda | ||
| 9:55 - 10:05 | Special Address Hon. Benjamin Kalu Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Nigeria | ||
| 10:05 - 10:25 | Inspirational Talk Kudzai Mubaiwa Co-Founder and Strategy Lead, iZone Hub, Zimbabwe | ||
| 10:25 - 10:30 | Energizer by the MCs | ||
| 10:30 - 11:10 | Tea Break | ||
| 11:10 - 17.45 | Track Break Outs | ||
| |||
17:50 - 18:00 | Closing Ceremony | ||
20:00 - 23:00 | African Met Gala | ||
| TIME | ACTIVITIES | SPEAKERS |
| 11:20 - 11:30 | Welcome by Track Host | Nanko Madu, Programmes Director, AfriLabs, Nigeria Etta Ayuk, CEO, Mountain Hub, Cameroon |
| 11::30 - 11:40 | Keynote Address | |
| 11:40 - 11:55 | Presentation Accelerating Africa's Green Innovation Ecosystem | Mr. Bankole Oloruntoba, NCIC - (Nigeria) |
| 11:55 - 12:55 | Panel Session 1 Technology Innovations for Climate Resilience | Martin Karanja, Director, GSMA Innovation Fund, Kenya Sieka Gatabaki, Program Director, Mercy Corps, Kenya Etta Ayuk, CEO Mountain Hub, Cameroon (Moderator) Mr. Bankole Oloruntoba, NCIC - Nigeria Sonia Umulinga, CEO, Plasticraft Ltd, Rwanda |
| 12:55 - 13:10 | Presentation | Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Tech Hub, Nigeria |
| 13:10 -14:10 | Panel Session 2 Climate Science to Action | Prof. Kabera Telesphori, Researcher, University of Rwanda Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, Researcher, University of Rwanda Dr. Emmanuel Ufutiyezu, Head of Master's programs and Teaching ACE-ESD, University of Rwanda Gabriel Ekman, Co-founder at BAG Innovation, Rwanda (Moderator) Dr. Ignace Gatare, Principal of College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda |
| 14:10 -15:40 | Lunch break | |
| 15:50 - 16:00 | Energizer | Track Host |
| 16:00 - 17:00 | Panel Session 3 Building a Thriving Green Innovation Ecosystem in Africa | Felix Mwaki, Director, Enterprise support and investment (KCIC), Kenya Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Tech Hub, Nigeria Patrick Nussbaumer, Programme Officer, UNIDO, Austria Eric Tambo, Associate Academic Officer at UNU-EHS, Germany Tracy Okoro, Partner DigitA, Nigeria (Moderator) |
| Network | ||
| Back to Auditorium |
| Time | Activities | Speakers |
| 11:20 - 11:25 | Welcome by Track Host | Moureen Mollel, Programme Coordinator, Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha |
| 11:25 - 11:30 | Special Address by RevUP | |
| 11:30 -11:40 | Special Address | Prudence Ngwenya, Director, Women, Gender and Youth African Union, Ethiopia |
| 11:40-12:05 | Fire-side chat on Gender and Inclusion Accelerating Women in Leadership: Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion in Public and Private Sector | Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu - Senior Ecosystem Engagements Manager, AfriLabs (Moderator) Sonnia Agu, CEO, SA Consulting, Nigeria Berna Rusagara, Executive Director, Women for Women, Rwanda |
| 12:05 -12:10 | Launch of Working Mother's Guide | Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu - Senior Ecosystem Events Manager, AfriLabs, Nigeria |
| 12:10 - 12:25 | Lightning Talk | Hanae Bezad, CEO, Beehane LLC, Portugal |
| 12:25 - 13:25 | Panel Session 1 Powered By RevUp Beyond the Digital Frontier: Innovating Pathways to Bridging the Gender gap by REVUP Women | Nanko Madu -Moderator, Nigeria (Moderator) Shary Lima, Incubation Program Manager, Ingenious City, DR. Congo Fayo Williams, Founder, Exponential Hub, Nigeria Fifehan Osikanlu, Founder, Eden Venture Group |
| 13:25 - 13:30 | Gender Gap Report Presentation | Nanko Madu, Programme Director, AfriLabs |
| 13:30-14:10 | Panel Session 2 Addressing the Gender Funding Gap in Africa: Myths, Realities, and Solutions | Rene Parker - Director, RLabs, South Africa Solomon E. Twum, Country Manager, Reach for Change, Ghana Mumbi Ndung’u, Chief Growth and Operations, Power to Learn Project, Kenya Luis Marquez, Value for Women Ltd, Gender and Women Project Lead, Mozambique (Moderator) |
| 14:10 -15:40 | Lunch | |
| 15:45 -16:15 | Presentation by RevUp Women or Visa Foundation | Video presentation (Hubs to be selected) |
| 16:15 - 17:15 | Panel Session 3 Designing for All: Inclusive Innovation and Universal Accessibility | Bernard Chiira, Director, Innovate Now-Africa, Kenya Carmen Mateia, Community Manager - Acelera Angola Matthias Mobius, Startup Hub Director and Co-founder, Uganda (Moderator) Justina Oha, Country Director, UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Berry Numbi, Managing Director, CINOLU, DR. Congo |
| Networking | ||
| Back to the Auditorium |
| Time | Activity | Speakers |
| 11:20 -11:25 | Welcome Address | Ajibola Odukoya, COO, AfriLabs, Nigeria Leah Hinestrosa, Startup Coordinator, Identic Foundation, Equatorial Guinea Yousif Yahya, Founder, Savannah Innovation Labs, Sudan |
| 11:25 -11:35 | Keynote Address 1 Investing in Disruption: The Power of Industrial Digitilization | Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board |
| 11:35 -11:45 | Presentation Rwanda Landscape, Exploring Investment Opportunities: | Leila Rwagasana, FinTech Consultant, Kigali Intenational Finance Center |
| 11:45 - 13:20 | Panel Session 1 Unlocking Global Markets: The Role of Capital in Innovation | Uche Aniche, Director, SSE Angel Network, Nigeria Kudzai Mubaiwa, Co-Founder and Strategy Lead, iZone Hub, Zimbabwe Jeremy Riro, Founder and Innovation Lead, Fie_Labs Innovation Hub, Kenya (Moderator) Anne Lawi, Managing Director for Africa, Impacc, Kenya |
| 13:20 - 13:30 | The Innovation Ecosystem of Rwanda | Esther Kunda, Director General, Innovation & Emerging Technologies, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Government of Rwanda |
| 13:30 - 13:50 | Startup Pitch Session | Startup Cup Africa by iVenture |
| 13:50 - 14:00 | Catalytic Africa Presentation | Fadilah Tchoumba, Secretary General, ABAN, Ghana Mayssa Mrabet, Community Director, AfriLabs |
| 13:50 -14:10 | Fire side Chat Catalytic Africa - the journey, the lessons and the impact. | Tomi Davies, President, ABAN, Nigeria Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director, AfriLabs (Moderator) Rebecca Enonchong, CEO, AppsTech, Cameroon/ AfriLabs Trustee |
| 14:10 -15:40 | Lunch | |
| 15:50 - 16:50 | Workshop Builder.Ai | Jack Drummond-Smillie, Associate Director of Strategis Sales, Enterprise Accounts and Cloud Services, |
| 16:50 - 17:00 | Brainz & Lloyds Presentation | Brienze Lawrence, Chief Executive officer (CEO), Braniz &Lloyds Aviation, Dublin |
| 17:00 -18:00 | Panel Session 2 Fueling Success: The Power of Acceleration Programs and Mentorship in Startup Ecosystems | Amy Kpentey, Program Associate, Impact Hub, Ghana Innocent Ndodyabike, Capital Services Manager, Anza, Tanzania Marwa Youssef, Director of Partnerships, La Startup Station, Morocco Yousif Yahya, Founder, Savannah Innovation Labs, Sudan (Moderator) |
| TIME | ACTIVITIES | SPEAKERS |
| 11:20 - 11:25 | Welcome Address | Garikai Nhogo, Senior Communications Manager, Co-Develop, Rwanda Anita Erskine, Executive Director, Erskine Global Communications, Canada |
| 11:25 -11:35 | Keynote | Lacina Koné Director General / CEO Director General / CEO Smart Africa, Rwanda |
| 11:35 - 11:45 | Inspirational Talk | |
| 11:45 -12:15 | Presentation | Aniedi Udo-Obong, Google, San Francisco |
| 12:15 - 13:15 | Panel Session 1 Research and Development for Digital Transformation: Shared Insights from Africa and Diaspora’ | Dr. Itoro Emembolu, Board Member and Research Lead, AfriLabs, Nigeria (Moderator) Prof. Sam Yala, President, AIMS, Rwanda Lisa Hiemer-Maqoma, Team Lead Digital Governance and Innovation, GIZ, Germany Kevin Marks, Director and Pioneer Sustainable Agriculture, United States Eniola Mafe Abaga, Global Advocacy and Partnership Director at Bridges to Prosperity |
| 13:15 - 14:10 | Panel Session 2 AI Perceptions, Opportunities and Prospects for Data Driven Decision-Making in Innovation Hubs | Dr Odiong Akpan, Managing Partner, Ubulu Africa, Nigeria Khaoula Behi, Managing Director, Future Islands, Germany Edwell Gumbo, Head of Enterprise Development, Tshimologong Precinct, South Africa |
| 14:10 -15:40 | Lunch break | |
| 15:50 - 16:15 | Fire side chat Fostering Future Leaders: Crafting Effective Policies for Youth Empowerment and Engagement | Anita V.M. Erskine (MC), Executive Director, Erskine Global Communications, Canada Routouang Mohamed Ndonga Christian, Former Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship of ChadPCA of SONACIM / Ecosystem Enabler |
| 16:15 - 16:55 | P.A.A.C High-Level Dialogue The role of technology in fostering agricultural productivity and building interc-connected regional food ecosystem | |
| 16:55 - 17:55 | Panel Session Tech and Policy Transformation: Paving the Way for Data-Driven Innovation and Privacy in Africa | Dr. Itoro Emembolu, AfriLabs Board Member and Research Lead, Nigeria Madeline Ileleji, Business developer manager, Jokkolabs Banjul, Gambia (Moderator) Obinna Osisiogu, Vice President Africa, Plural Policy, Nigeria Howard Lakounga, Senior Program Officer, BMGF, United States Üllar Jaaksoo, Founder and Partner, Digital Nations, Estonia |
| TIME | ACTIVITIES | SPEAKER |
| 11:20:00 -11:25 | Welcome Address | Steve Tchoumba, Executive Director, ActivSpaces Cameroon Fifehan Osikanlu, Founder, Eden Venture Group Karl Carter, CEO, Snake Nation, Atlanta |
| 11:25 -11:35 | Keynote | M.I Abaga, Artist/ Founder and CEO, The Tasck, Nigeria |
| 11:35AM-13:05 | Panel Session 1 Harmonizing the future: the tech powered African music revolution | Jacqueline Malenga, Director, IndustryNite.xyz & Sanaa Afrika, Nigeria Houssem Aoudi, Founder, Afkar, Tunisia Sano Alyn, Artist, Rwanda M.I Abaga, Artist/ Founder and CEO, The Tasck, Nigeria |
| 13:05-13:45 | Panel Session 2 Gaming Renaissance in Africa: Powering Creativity and Entrepreneurship | Eniola Edun, CEO, Gamr Africa, Nigeria Lesley Donna Williams, CEO, Tshimologong Precint, South Africa Muhire Louis Antoine, Founder, Native Rekord Ltd and Funky Monkey ArcadeeGamer Rwanda GISUBIZO Abi Gaelle, CEO, Dope Iniatives, Rwanda Thomas Shiva, Founder & CEO, Digital Realm Entertainment |
| 13:45 -14:25 | Panel Session 3 Indigenous Art in the Digital Age | Karl Carter, CEO, Snake Nation, Atlanta Raoul RUGAMBA, Founder and CEO, Hobe Agency & Africa In Colors, Rwanda Laissa Mouen, Founder, Kinaya Ventures, Senegal (Moderator) Fadia Elgharib - Operations and Community Lead, GIGN, Egypt Aisha Augie, The Creator General, Centre For Art and Creative Talent |
| 14:10 -15:40 | Lunch break | |
| 15:45 -16:30 | Unleashing Digital Brilliance: Igniting Cross-Sector Sparks in Emerging Markets Talent Revolution | Charles Emembolu, Co-founder and Director, Roar Nigeria Hub (Moderator) Aniedi Udo-Obong, Program Manager, Google, United States Ludovica Ochieng, Icubation Manager, iBiz Africa Innovation Centre, Kenya Adam Leipzig, CEO, MediaU, United States Stella Murungi - Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Justice Sector |
| 16:30 - 16: 50 | Art Presentation | GIZ |
| 16:50 - 17:20 | Fireside chat: Topic: Generating African wealth by preserving Art history | Seju Alero Mike, Co-Founder and CMO, Atsur, United States Terna Iwar, Co-Founder and CPO, Atsur, Nigeria Ada Orajiaku, Co-Founder and CEO, Atsur, Nigeria Cynthia Muthoni, Community and Operations Lead, Baraza Media Lab, Kenya |
| 17:20 -18:00 | Forging Africa's Future through Immersive Narratives: The Fusion of Non-Fungible Tokens, Transmedia Storytelling, and Virtual Reality | Aisha Yetunde, Community Programs and Partnerships Director, Thescathcompanies, Nigeria Bright Ogor, Executive Director, Alpha Blue Foundation, Nigeria Seju Alero Mike, Co-Founder and CMO, Atsur, United States |
| TIME | ACTIVITIES | Speakers |
| 11;20-11:25 | Welcome address | Mayssa Mrabet, Community Director, AfriLabs, Tunisia Fiifi Baidoo, Founder and Chief Architect, CLOUDPORT, Ghana Paul Mbua, Founder, Zixtech Hub, Cameroon |
| 11:25 -11:30 | Keynote Building a Legacy of Impact: Opportunities and Challenges for African Tech Hubs | Marieme KANE, Director of Innovation, Ministry of Digital Transformation, Innovation and Modernisation of Administration, Mauritania |
| 11:30 -12:30 | Panel Session on Hub Sustainability and Management | D Yvonne Rivers, CEO and Founder, Phoebe Marketing Group, United States Fifi Baidoo, Founder and Chief Architect, CLOUDPORT, Ghana Paul Mbua, Founder, Zixtech Hub, Cameroon Alexandra Fraser, CEO, Viridian, South Africa Tunde Mclver - CEO, MusterPoint, Nigeria |
| 12:30 -13:10 | Hub in a Box: Crowdsourcing Sustainable Business ModelsHub in a Box concept | Ahmed Bastawy, Managing Director, ICEALEX, Egypt |
| 13:10 - 14:10 | GIZ Make IT Panel: “How can the Innovation Ecosystem benefit from Open Innovation Approaches?” | Matthias Mobius, Director and Co-founder, StartHub, Uganda Henri Nyakarundi, ARED Group, United States Olaf Seidel, Make-IT in Africa Head of Project SOUTH, Namibia Lesley Donna Williams, CEO, Tshimologong Precint, South Africa |
| 14:10 -15:40 | Lunch | |
| 15:50 -16:50 | Workshop: “Launch and Introduction of the Open Innovation Toolkit by Make-IT in Africa and Veridian” | Alexandra Fraser, CEO, Viridian, South Africa |
| 16:50 - 17:20 | Fireside chat on Improving Hubs sustainability in Francophone countries: Development of performance indicators/sustainability criteria | Elodie Apremont, Senior Innovation Consultant, Impact Lab, Dubai Yannick EBIBIE, Director, SING, Gabon Moussa Hubert OUOLOGUEM, Director Expert'labs, Mali Alida Ebo'o, Digital Communication and Event Consultant, Youth Business Cameroon (YBC)/ Founder ZEMAWorld Digital, Cameroon |
| 17:20 - 18:10 | Developing Africa through FabLabs/ Makerspaces | Tochukwu C. Chukwueke, Founder, Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC), Nigeria Martin Oloo, Founder, Fablab Winam, Kenya (Moderator) Husna Butoyi Umurerwa, Program Manager, Fablab, Rwanda Abdur Rahim, Founder/MD, WAZIUP, Germany Tsuneo Heito, Chief Advisor /JICA Digital and Innovation Promotion Project, Rwanda Oluwaseyi Ogidiolu, Technical Advisor, GIZ DTC, Nigeria |
We are excited to host the summits of our consortium partners, African European Digital Innovation Bridge Network (AEDIB|NET) and Long-Term Joint Research and Innovation Partnership on Renewable Energy (LEAP-RE) during the AfriLabs Annual Gathering Week.
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