AfriLabs Holds Its Annual Gathering In Kenya

The 10th AfriLabs Annual Gathering was held at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), drawing more than 2,000 innovators, policymakers, and investors from over 50 countries. The three-day summit, ran from October 13 to 15, and was themed “Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships and Progress,” and aims to chart the next decade of Africa’s innovation journey.

This year’s edition is particularly symbolic celebrating ten years since AfriLabs began convening some of the continent’s brightest minds to shape policy, foster partnerships, and strengthen support systems for startups. As Africa’s largest network of technology and innovation hubs, AfriLabs now connects more than 500 hubs across 53 countries, highlighting the exponential growth of the continent’s innovation ecosystem.

AfriLabs Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, said the 10th edition is not only a milestone but a reflection of the progress Africa’s tech ecosystem has made since the organisation’s inception.

“When AfriLabs launched a decade ago, we dreamed of a continent knitted by innovation where a young entrepreneur in Lagos, Kigali, or Accra could tap into the same networks and policy support as peers in Silicon Valley,” she said. “What began as a bold idea among hub connectors has grown into a living ecosystem of over 500 innovation hubs across 53 countries.”

Ekeledo added that this year’s gathering provides a unique platform to explore how partnerships, innovation, and progressive policy frameworks can address Africa’s most pressing development challenges while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Focus on Policy and Partnerships

The event opened with a high-level ministerial roundtable featuring government leaders, development partners, and private sector stakeholders who discussed policies critical to scaling innovation across the continent.

Among the key speakers was former Nigerian Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who previously hosted the 2021 edition of the gathering in Nigeria. He joined Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, in a discussion centered on innovation-led growth and leveraging technology to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The sessions are built around three core pillars:

• Policy: Exploring governance and regulatory frameworks that promote innovation while ensuring responsible technology use.

• Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration among governments, private sector players, investors, and innovation hubs to build sustainable innovation ecosystems.

• Progress: Highlighting the tangible impact of innovation across Africa and identifying pathways for inclusive, technology-driven growth.

As the AfriLabs Annual Gathering enters its 10th year, it continues to serve as a continental stage for visionary leaders and changemakers committed to shaping Africa’s digital future, one innovation hub at a time.