PREVIOUS EVENT 2021

AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021

  • 27th -29th October, 2021
  • Abuja, Nigeria

The AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021 marked a monumental milestone for the network as we celebrated our 10th Anniversary. The Gathering themed “AfriLabs at 10: A Decade of Empowering and Inspiring Innovation across Africa” was held in Abuja, Nigeria from the 27th to 29th of October, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. It aimed at spotlighting the growth and evolution of the African Innovation Ecosystem.

The Gathering hosted over 300 ecosystem enablers from all over the African continent and also various exciting panel sessions, workshops led by GIZ-AU, GIZ Make-IT, EU-Africa Digilogic, Mozilla, the University Of Basel, and member Hubs of the AfriLabs network.

The event also featured the launch of Catalytic Africa which is a matching fund led by the African Business Angels Network (ABAN) and AfriLabs that aims to strengthen African startups, and innovation hubs while delivering impact results to institutional funders.

The AfriLabs Annual Gathering also saw the launch of the AfriLabs and Briter Bridges report titled “Bolstering innovators in Africa – Innovation hubs’ catalytic role as ecosystem support organizations” the report identified at least 1031 active innovation hubs across Africa as of October 2021, using a combination of primary and secondary data collection methods.

Unbeatable highlights from the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021 include:

The AfriLabs 10th Anniversary Gala was hosted by the Vice President of Nigeria at the statehouse with the theme “The African Heritage” on the 27th of October 2021. Our community showed up and showed off the splendor of our African Heritage. During the Gala, AfriLabs awarded 12 hubs 15,000 euros each to implement capacity-building projects ranging from Business Growth and Development, Product Evolution and Development to Investment Readiness and Fundraising for their communities under the AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme. This grant is funded by Agence Française de Dévelopement through the Digital Africa Seed Fund.

Dinner and Cocktail events hosted by the following hubs and organizations: Creative Arts and Visual Imagery Centre (CAVIC), Aiivon Hub, Ventures Platform, Wennovation Hub, and our partner Briter Bridges on the 28th of October 2021.

The third day of the Gathering (29th October 2021) was a tour of the Abuja technology and innovation ecosystem which featured members of our community such as Ventures Platform, The Cans, Seedbuilders, Enspire Incubator, and WootLab Innovations. Additionally, Nile university hosted an event themed “Innovative Entrepreneurship and Employability” (on the same day).

Snapshot

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AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021: Celebrating a decade of enabling innovation in Africa

VIDEO CLIPS

Past AfriLabs Annual Gathering Videos

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Conference Video Collection

Event conference speaker

AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021

The AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021 marked a monumental milestone for the African technology and Innovation Ecosystem as AfriLabs celebrated its 10th year Anniversary. The Gathering held in October at Abuja, Nigeria

Emeka Uzoigwe

Mr . Emeka Uzoigwe is the acting Director, Strategy and Innovation at Afreximbank, a pan-African Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) with...

Emeka Uzoigwe

Director Strategy and Innovation at Afreximbank
Eric Kariuki Mwangi

Eric Kariuki Mwangi is the founder and head of the HiiL Innovation Hub East Africa. A serial social entrepreneur, founder...

Eric Kariuki Mwangi

Founder and Head of the HiiL Innovation Hub East Africa
Odiong Akpan

Odiong Akpan leads and manages Caspania (www.caspania.com) – a digital business advisory firm  focused on helping individuals, startup founders and...

Odiong Akpan

Managing Director Caspania, Nigeria
Chioma Ewurum

Chioma Ewurum is the Head of Research at Clean Technology Hub Nigeria where she leads and manages  a team of...

Chioma Ewurum

Head of Research, Clean Technology Hub, Nigeria
Courage Asase

Courage Asase currently work as the Managing Director of Node Eight (a digital Innovation Hub located  in the Volta region...

Courage Asase

Managing Director, Node Eight, Ghana
Kelvin Dafiaghor

Kelvin Ogba Dafiaghor is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ogba Educational clinic & Artificial  Intelligence Hub, the Chief promoter...

Kelvin Dafiaghor

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Artificial Intelligence Hub, Nigeria
Jeremy Riro

Jeremy Riro is a Management Consultant and Policy Analyst. He is the Managing Partner at Fie-Consult; a  Transaction Advisory &...

Jeremy Riro

Fie Labs Innovation Hub, Kenya
Ralph de Wargny

Ralph leads the Intel’s oneAPI global virtual startup accelerator program for early-stage software innovators in AI, HPC, graphics. At Intel,...

Ralph de Wargny

Director Intel oneAPI for Startups program
Kate Hach

Kate is an entrepreneurial supporter from the heart. For the last 10 years, Kate has been active in the European...

Kate Hach

Head of Program at Intel Ignite’s Accelerator
Kofi Sedalo

Kofi Sedalo

Senior Technology Officer, AfriLabs, CEO of SIMNET Ghana
Sarobidy N. Rakotoarivo

Etant la Responsable du Departement Entrepreuneuriat de HABAKA et ayant frequenté le monde du tech depuis plus de 7ans, Sarobidy...

Sarobidy N. Rakotoarivo

Manager Habaka Innovation Hub Madagascar.
Demola Adesina

Demola Adesina

Advisor, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Sabina N. Nforba PMP.

Sabina N. Nforba PMP., is currently a Digital and Innovation Tech Fellow at the African Union HQ working closely with...

Sabina N. Nforba PMP.

Alice Munyua

Alice Munyua leads Mozilla’s portfolio on innovation and engaging in Africa region. She served as a member of the board of the...

Alice Munyua

Sr. Director of Africa Innovation Mradi, Mozilla
Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo

Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo is the Director, Government Affairs Africa & IGA CTO Liaison, and a  Principal Engineer at Intel...

Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo

Director, Government Affairs Africa & IGA CTO Liaison (PE)
Morgan Gikonyo

Morgan Gikonyo is a Digital Policy Lead at the Lawyers Hub.  As a passionate social entrepreneur and innovation enthusiast, Morgan...

Morgan Gikonyo

Digital Policy Officer at the Lawyers Hub
Poncelet . O. Ileleji

Poncelet O. Ileleji is a Computer Scientist  by Profession with over 25 years in the field; he has been involved...

Poncelet . O. Ileleji

CEO JokkoLabs Banjul Gambia
Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati

Honorable Felix Chipota Mutati is one of Zambia’s long standing politicians. He was appointed as the Minister of Technology and...

Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati

Minister of Technology and Science Zambia
Flo Mossane

Flo Mosoane is an entrepreneur with businesses in AgriFood and Bioscience. She is also a startup ecosystem developer and business...

Flo Mossane

AgriFood Ecosystem Developer
Charles Uche Emembolu

Charles is an IT professional with nearly 2 decades of cognate experience in IT Strategy, Business Transformation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship....

Charles Uche Emembolu

Co-Founder and Director of Roar and Tech Quest Nigeria
John Rexford Nzira

John Rexford Nzira is a big believer in the future of today’s youth. He has been working at Twende Social...

John Rexford Nzira

Executive Director Twende Social Innovation Centre Tanzania
Maurice N.A. Caschinco

Maurice is an innovative and versatile organizational leader specializing in sustainable social enterprise growth and implementing impact business transformation. A...

Maurice N.A. Caschinco

Managing Director KumasiHive Ghana
Franciscah Nzanga

Franciscah Nzanga is the Chief Operations Officer at Villgro Africa. Here she oversees the company’s Africa wide operations and spearheads...

Franciscah Nzanga

Chief Operations Officer at Villgro Africa Kenya
Chris Odongo

Christopher Odongo is the CEO of WYLDE International Ltd and co-founder of SNDBX. He is an entrepreneurship ecosystem builder and...

Chris Odongo

CEO of WYLDE International Ltd and Co-founder of SNDBX Kenya
Jane Mubanga Chinkusu

Mrs. Jane Mubanga Chinkusu is Director, Science and Technology at the Ministry of Higher Education. She holds a Master of...

Jane Mubanga Chinkusu

Director, Science and Technology at the Ministry of Higher Education Zambia
Nuria Rull

Nuria is a program officer at the United Nations International Trade Center and an entrepreneurship ecosystems development expert. She has...

Nuria Rull

Programme Officer at United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC)
Patrick Shatamuka

Patrick is a Business Development Strategist with more than 20 years of engagement at Senior Management in the Private Sector,...

Patrick Shatamuka

Head Operations & Programs - WEAC Zambia
Arjuna Costa

Arjuna Costa is a Managing Partner at Flourish Ventures.  He co-manages Flourish, with a primary focus on venture investing across...

Arjuna Costa

Managing Partner, Flourish Ventures
Judith Mwaya

Judith Mwaya is a Senior Tech Policy Analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Her work at the...

Judith Mwaya

Senior Policy Analyst – Tech for Development Unit, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Prudence Ngwenya Nonkululeko

Ms. Prudence Ngwenya is the current Acting Director of the Women, Gender and Youth  Director and also the substantive Head...

Prudence Ngwenya Nonkululeko

Ag Director, Gender and Youth Division, African Union Commission
Nana Adjoa Sifa

She believes agribusiness+tech is the only economic sector that can address the most pressing problems facing the world today. Nana...

Nana Adjoa Sifa

Founder Guzakuza Ghana
Saša Štraus, PhD

Senior expert at ITC&DIH AGRIFOOD. PhD in agriculture. Experienced project manager with more than 10 years of experience in leading...

Saša Štraus, PhD

DIH AGRIFOOD Slovenia
Buffy Okeke

Buffy Okeke-Ojiudu is a Nigerian businessman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Zebra Group, an organisation with interests in...

Buffy Okeke

Founder EATs Nigeria
Ntieche Njilou Christian

Christian Ntieche is a Consultant and Business Development Specialist with over 10 years of experience in supporting and developing innovative...

Ntieche Njilou Christian

Founder IT Kola Cameroon
Francis Omorojie

Mr. Francis Omorojie is an innovation enthusiast and a venture builder with over 7 years of supporting both start-ups and...

Francis Omorojie

Founder Ennovate Hub Tanzania
Noémie Hailu

Noémie Hailu is the Program Manager for the Africa Innovation Mradi at Mozilla Corporation, where she manages initiatives, partnerships, events, and promotes Mozilla’s...

Noémie Hailu

Africa Innovation Mradi Program Manager, Mozilla
Nneka Ekechukwu-Soyinka

Nneka Ekechukwu-Soyinka is a Sr. Privacy Manager at Mozilla Corporation and the Lean Data Practices Lead for the Africa Innovation Mradi. She...

Nneka Ekechukwu-Soyinka

Sr. Privacy Manager, Mozilla
Britney Crooks

Britney Crooks leads Mozilla’s Innovation Studio which is responsible for identifying and building new products and businesses. In addition she...

Britney Crooks

Director of Innovation & Product Strategy, Mozilla
Chimfumnanya Nwandu

Chimfumnanya Nwandu is a lawyer and a Senior Programs Associate at She Leads Africa, an organization that believes in the...

Chimfumnanya Nwandu

Lawyer and Senior Programs Associate at She Leads Africa
Rene Parker

Rene Parker: Rene is a social impact entrepreneur with extensive experience in building social ventures at scale. Her role as...

Rene Parker

Yousif Yahya

Yousif Yahya is the founder of Savannah Innovation Lab, a start-up incubator and art exhibition space in Khartoum, Sudan. Yousif...

Yousif Yahya

Founder at Savannah Innovation Labs Sudan, Operations Lead at Bloom (YCW22)
Adnane Addioui

Adnane Addioui is an Ashoka Fellow, social commentator, social entrepreneur and disruptive thinker, who has committed his life to work...

Adnane Addioui

Président Moroccan Center for Innovation and Social Innovation and Ashoka Fellow
Nanko Madu

Nanko Madu is a seasoned entrepreneur ecosystem builder with ~12 years’ progressive experience in managing programmes on economic development and...

Nanko Madu

Programmes Director, AfriLabs
David James Saunders

David is Briter’s Director of Strategy and Growth. Since joining Briter he has managed a multi-country research and ecosystem project...

David James Saunders

Director of Strategy and Growth Briter Bridges
Mayssa Mrabet

Mayssa is the Chief Incubation Officer at Afkar, holding an Executive MBA from the SMU – South Mediterranean University. Since...

Mayssa Mrabet

Chief Incubation Officer at Afkar Tunisia
Jean Dominique Ouedraogo

Dominique is a certified professional coach of the “CFC academy”, in charge of coaching programs at the Mahna association, President...

Jean Dominique Ouedraogo

Chargé de Programmes d’accompagnement Mahna Mali
Rebecca Enonchong

Rebecca Enonchong is the Founder/CEO of AppsTech and a Co-founder of I/O Spaces. She is the Board Chair of ActivSpaces...

Rebecca Enonchong

Founder and CEO, AppsTech & Co-Founder of I/O Spaces
Ahmed Bastawy

Ahmed Bastawy currently runs ICEALEX Innovation Consultancy Hub that supports the Growing Businesses and Startups ecosystem in the region. He...

Ahmed Bastawy

Founder IceAlex, Egypt
Michael Oluwagbemi

Michael Oluwagbemi A Co-founder & Executive Partner at LoftyInc Allied Partners Limited (operator of the Wennovation Hub based in Lagos,...

Michael Oluwagbemi

Co-founder & Executive Partner, LoftyInc Allied Partners
Dr. Sheila Ochugboju

Dr. Sheila Ochugboju is a futurist, knowledge management, international development expert, and communication specialist who has been working in research...

Dr. Sheila Ochugboju

Executive Director, Alliance for Science
Moetaz Helmy

Moetaz Helmy is the Chairperson of AfriLabs, the largest network of Innovation and Technology hubs consisting of 350 member hubs across 52...

Moetaz Helmy

Board Chair AfriLabs
Lelemba Phiri

Lelemba Phiri, PhD(c) is a seasoned development finance professional with specialised expertise in gender-lens investing, innovative financing vehicles and climate...

Lelemba Phiri

PhD(c),Principal and Founder Africa Trust Group
Kudzai Mubaiwa

Kudzai M.Mubaiwa is an economic development specialist with expertise in enterprise development, personal finance, and digital tools. She is also...

Kudzai Mubaiwa

Economic Development Specialist and Board Treasurer, AfriLabs
Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts, Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer. Ben has been Liquid Telecom’s Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer since...

Ben Roberts

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Nekesa Were

Nekesa Were builds and supports communities to develop innovative solutions that transform societies while protecting dignity and impacting economies positively....

Nekesa Were

Director of Strategy, AfriLabs
Anna Ekeledo

Anna Ekeledo is the Executive Director of AfriLabs – a Network Organisation of over 370 technology and innovation hubs spread...

Anna Ekeledo

Executive Director, AfriLabs
Samir Da Cruz Silva

Samir Da Cruz Silva is a consultant, expert in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Development. Samir is also executive director of...

Samir Da Cruz Silva

Executive Director, Maio Business Center
Maurice Otieno

I am an avid community and ecosystem builder, who is passionate about helping  entrepreneurs, corporates and investors achieve their goals....

Maurice Otieno

Executive Director Baraza Media Lab
Dr. Itoro Emembolu

Dr. Itoro Emembolu is a Director at TechQuest STEM Academy, a non-profit technology education provider in Nigeria that has delivered...

Dr. Itoro Emembolu

(Ph.D), Director TechQuest
Muna Ahmed

Muna Ahmed is the Country Program & Operations Manager at Innovate Ventures, the leading Somali startup accelerator and early-stage startup...

Muna Ahmed

Country Program & Operations Manager, Innovate Ventures
Elodie Nonga-Kenla

Elodie Nonga-Kenla is a multi-awarded Cameroonian entrepreneur. She is the Founder of WETECH (Women in Entrepreneurship and Technology), EN Group...

Elodie Nonga-Kenla

Founder, WETECH
Paul Mbua

Paul Mbua is an Entrepreneur, International Consultant, Trainer, IT Expert, Business Development Expert, Investment Expert, Policy Expert, Ecosystem Architect, IT...

Paul Mbua

Founder and CEO, Zixtech Hub
Berry Numbi

Berry Numbi is an actor in the digital sector, passionate about innovation, engineering, technology and entrepreneurship with a focus on...

Berry Numbi

Founder & Chair Board Member, Centre d'innovation de Lubumbashi (CINOLU) DRC
Benson Mutahi Githaiga

Benson Mutahi Githaiga is the Aga Khan University Media Innovation Center’s Community Manager and Executive Officer. He has worked in...

Benson Mutahi Githaiga

Community Manager & Executive Officer, Aga Khan University Media Innovation Center
Lukonga Lindunda

Lukonga Lindunda is a Startup Ecosystem Builder, Executive Director and Co-founder of The BongoHive Group in Zambia, which includes BongoHive...

Lukonga Lindunda

Co-Founder and Executive Director BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub
Barbara (Birungi) Mutabazi

Barbara is a co-founder and first managing director of Hive Colab, Uganda’s first innovation hub, business accelerator, and incubator for...

Barbara (Birungi) Mutabazi

Co-Founder Hive CoLab, Uganda
Ajibola Odukoya

Ajibola has over a decade of international experience in technology business consulting, advisory, and business case building. He is a...

Ajibola Odukoya

Chief Operating Officer, AfriLabs
Olaf Seidel

Olaf is an IT and management professional with more than 15 years of experience in leadership, business development, digitalization and...

Olaf Seidel

Make-IT in Africa Head of Project, Southern Africa

Main Sessions

Mark Dodsworth

Owner and Director, Red Zebra South Africa

Anna Ekeledo

Executive Director, AfriLabs

Rebecca Enonchong

Board Chair, AfriLabs

Benjamin Meier

Regional Advisor to the GIZ

Papa Amadou Sarr

Ministre, Délégué général à l’Entreprenaria

Marc Huemmer

Policy Advisor (GIZ)

Ahunna Eziakonwa

UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Director Africa

Ifeoluwa Adebayo

Special Assistant to the Nigerian Vice President

Papa Amadou Sarr

Founder Jacaranda Hub Zambia

Dr Robert Karanja

Co-founder Villgro Africa & Chairman (ASSEK) Kenya

Olivia Tchamba

Public Policy Manager, Francophone Africa, Facebook

Ibraheem Sanusi

Senior Advisor, GIZ

Timo Mueller

Advisor for Digital Innovation and Public Sector – Startup cooperation at GIZ.

Cécile Tassin-Pelzer

Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS

Tarek Chazli

Charge’ d’Affaires, Italian Embassy in Nigeria, Benin Republic and ECOWAS

Noémie Hailu

Africa Innovation Mradi Program Manager, Mozilla Corporation

Tomi Davies

President African Angel Business Network (ABAN)

Ody Akhanoba

Manager, Strategy & Innovation, Afreximbank

Ajibola Odukoya

Chief Operating Officer AfriLabs

Nekesa Were

Director of Strategy AfriLabs

Thorsten Hülsmann

CEO Digital Hub Logistics, Germany, DIGILOGIC Coordinator

Toyin Dania

Project Manager: DIGILOGIC Project, MEST Africa

Obaro M. Osah

AGM, SME South, SME Group, Bank of Industry, Nigeria.

Adriano Mauro

Managing Director, Prototipi, Nigeria, leading DIGILOGIC Dissemination and Communication Activities

Abdellah Mallek

Founder and Manager Sylabs Algeria

Zindzi Montshwari Letsididi

Founder and Director TheNeoHub Innovation Lab Botswana

Mr Jordi Montserrat

Managing Partner Venturelab Sweden

Dr. Theophile Niyonzima

Senior Lecturer University of Rwanda

Dr. Norah Clarke

Program Director the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education at Universities South Africa (EDHE)

Carine Nsoudou

CEO - ADEPT; Belguim

Poncelet O. Ileleji

Jokkolabs Banjul Gambia

Bibusa .W.Wißemann

Founder & CEO SensXAfrica Limited, Germany

Michael Oluwagbemi

Co-founder Wennovation Hub, Nigeria, LofytInc and AfriLabs Board Chair 2014-2017 and Trustee

Kola Aina

General Partner, Ventures Platform Fund Nigeria

Marieme Dieng

Lead of Global Innovation and Strategy for Africa at 500Startups

Oscar A. Nchaso Bekari

Founder & Managing Director en Dreams Hub Equitorial Guinea

Carine Vavaseur

Cheffe de Division Innovation et Animation d'Ecosystème Délégation Générale à l'Entreprenariat Rapide des Femmes et des Jeunes - DER

Alfredo Cuanda

Founder and Manager, Ideario Mozambique.

Fadilah Tchoumba

Lead of Global Innovation and Strategy for Africa at 500Startups

Lehle Balde

Editor Business Day

Samson Itodo

Executive Director, Yiaga Africa

Nneka Ukay

Executive Secretary at Innovation Support Network (ISN Hubs) Nigeria

Dario Giuliani

Founder and Director of Briter Bridges London

Markos Lemma

CoFounder & CEO of iceaddis, Ethiopia

Phares Kariuki

CEO Pure Infrastructure Limited Kenya

Chioma “Chigul” Omeruah

MC/Entertainer

Dike Chukwumerijie

Nigerian Spoken Word and Performance Poetry Artist

Chibueze Josh Izugbo

Founder & CEO Ebeosi

Parallel Sessions

Elvis Melia

Associate Researcher of the Research Programm "Transformation of Economic and Social Systems" at the German Development Institute

Sandra Flicke

Head of Project ""Future of Work"" bei Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Christian Gmelin

Head of Collaborative Innovation bei Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Nneka Ekechukwu-Soyinka

Sr. Privacy Manager, Mozilla Corporation

Prof. Bitange Ndemo

Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Business and Management Sciences

Chenai Chair

Special Advisor Africa Innovation Mradi, Mozilla Foundation

Kathleen Siminyu

Machine Learning Fellow, Mozilla Foundation

Remy Muhire

Local Community Fellow (Kinyarwanda and Luganda), Mozilla Foundation

Aissata Tambadou

Bond’Innov, France

Angela Naa Afoley Odai

CIDO-AUC- Ethiopia

Alain Nkurikiye

Founder and CEO of Wajenzi

Yousif Yahya

Founder Savannah Innovation Labs Sudan

Faye Simmonds

Local Community Fellow (Kinyarwanda and Luganda), Mozilla Foundation

Mamadou Dakouo

Biowin Canada

Alpha Nury

Founder Jamaafunding & Co-Founder Reda Capital

Alpha Nury

Founder Jamaafunding & Co-Founder Reda Capital

Britone Mwasaru

Local Community Fellow (Kiswahili), Mozilla Foundation

Rebecca Ryakatimbo

Local Community Fellow ( Kiswahili), Mozilla Foundation

Youssouf Simbo Diakité

Co-chair ADYFE; Austria

Dare Odumade

Chekkit Technologies Nigeria

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