NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 13 – The 10th AfriLabs Annual Gathering (AAG 2025) kicked off today at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), marking a decade of innovation excellence for Africa’s largest network of technology and innovation hubs.
Running from October 13–15, this landmark edition has drawn more than 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries under the theme “Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships & Progress.” Participants include startup founders, investors, policymakers, hub leaders, and development partners—all converging to shape the continent’s innovation trajectory for the next decade.
“This milestone edition of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering is a testament to the incredible growth and impact of Africa’s innovation ecosystem over the last decade,” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director at AfriLabs. “Together, we are building the policies, partnerships, and progress that will define Africa’s innovation future.”
Founded in 2011, AfriLabs now connects over 500 innovation hubs across 53 countries, creating one of the most expansive startup and technology networks in the world. The organization has been instrumental in driving cross-border collaboration, innovation policy, and investment across Africa’s growing digital economy.
From Vision to Reality
Reflecting on AfriLabs’ journey, Ekeledo said the network began with a simple dream—linking Africa’s innovators into a unified community. “What started as a bold idea among hub connectors has grown into a living, breathing ecosystem where entrepreneurs from Lagos to Kigali to Accra can access capital, mentorship, and global exposure,” she said.
Timbuktoo Partnership: Financing Africa’s Innovation
A major highlight of this year’s gathering is the AfriLabs–Timbuktoo Partnership, a UNDP-backed initiative described as a “ten-year moonshot” to mobilize US$1 billion in catalytic capital for Africa’s innovators.
Led by Natalie Jabangwe, Executive Secretary of the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, and Joan Manda, Global Lead at Timbuktoo, the program aims to retain African talent by funding startups locally and building sustainable innovation ecosystems.
Former Nigerian Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a key supporter of the Timbuktoo initiative, attended the event as Guardian of the program, alongside Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Director for Africa.
Ministerial Roundtable: Aligning Policy with Innovation
The conference opened with a high-level Ministerial Roundtable, where policymakers, development agencies, and industry experts discussed frameworks to scale innovation sustainably.
Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, Managing Partner at DigitA and one of the architects of Nigeria’s Startup Act, emphasized that “policy without implementation is innovation without impact,” calling for coordinated action to harmonize digital economy laws across Africa.
Three Pillars Driving Africa’s Innovation Future
- Policy: Creating agile regulatory environments that balance innovation with consumer protection.
- Partnerships: Strengthening collaboration between governments, corporates, and investors to unlock ecosystem capital.
- Progress: Measuring real impact through data-driven approaches and scaling inclusive innovation models.
Showcasing Africa’s Next Frontier
The three-day event features keynote sessions, exhibitions, workshops, and startup pitch competitions. Key partners include:
- Villgro Africa, leading the Health Innovation Track.
- Afrexim Bank, offering financing models for trade and innovation.
- Konza Technopolis, showcasing Kenya’s smart city infrastructure.
- UNDP, aligning innovation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nairobi: Africa’s Silicon Savannah
Hosting AAG 2025 in Nairobi underscores the city’s role as a continental innovation hub. Kenya’s growing digital ecosystem, from fintech and e-mobility to AI and green tech, positions it as the ideal stage for AfriLabs’ 10th anniversary.
Looking Ahead
As AfriLabs enters its next decade, it plans to deepen its focus on:
- Policy advocacy and innovation governance.
- Capital mobilization and ecosystem financing.
- Gender-inclusive and youth-led innovation.
- AI and emerging technologies for sustainable development.
- Cross-border scaling of successful startup models.
“Africa’s innovation future is being written right here, by Africans, for Africa,” said Rebecca Enonchong, Chair of the AfriLabs Advisory Board. “The next ten years will be about scaling what works—and ensuring no one is left behind.”
The gathering concludes Wednesday, October 15, with a declaration outlining a continental roadmap for innovation-driven growth and digital inclusion.
