AfriLabs Marks a Decade of Innovation Leadership as Nairobi Hosts Africa’s Biggest Tech Gathering.
Nairobi, October 13, 2025 — The heartbeat of Africa’s innovation is echoing from Nairobi this week, as AfriLabs — the continent’s largest network of technology and innovation hubs — celebrates ten years of shaping Africa’s innovation story.
The 10th AfriLabs Annual Gathering opened today at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), drawing more than 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries. Running until October 15, the three-day summit is themed “Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships & Progress.” It brings together hub leaders, startup founders, investors, corporates, policymakers, and development partners to envision how Africa can lead the next wave of global innovation.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, AfriLabs Executive Director Anna Ekeledo described the milestone as a celebration of Africa’s collective progress in building a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
“This milestone edition is a testament to how far we’ve come as a continent,” she said. “Over the past decade, we have built networks, inspired innovators, and cultivated partnerships that have reshaped Africa’s digital landscape. Now, we are charting the course for the next decade — one defined by collaboration, inclusion, and global competitiveness.”
From its modest beginnings, AfriLabs has grown into a powerful community linking more than 500 innovation hubs across 53 African countries. What started as a dream to connect African innovators has evolved into a thriving ecosystem where ideas are nurtured, startups are born, and homegrown solutions are driving impact across the continent.
This year’s gathering marks a significant moment for AfriLabs as it unveils a landmark partnership with the UNDP-backed Timbuktoo Initiative — a bold ten-year plan designed to unlock private capital and create sustainable funding pathways for African innovators. The initiative seeks to turn promising ideas into scalable enterprises while retaining Africa’s brightest minds within the continent.
“The Timbuktoo model is about building Africa’s innovation economy from within,” said Natalie Jabangwe, Executive Secretary and CEO of the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation. “We are working to channel a billion dollars in catalytic and commercial capital to empower Africa’s young innovators and turn their ideas into global solutions.”
The opening day also featured a high-level Ministerial Roundtable that brought together influential leaders, including Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria and Guardian of the Timbuktoo Initiative, alongside UNDP Regional Director Ahunna Eziakonwa. Their discussions centered on how innovation policies can drive sustainable development and strengthen Africa’s position in the global digital economy.
Throughout the event, participants will explore AfriLabs’ three guiding pillars — Policy, Partnerships, and Progress. Conversations will focus on regulatory reforms, ecosystem collaboration, and measuring tangible impact in Africa’s innovation journey.
The gathering features keynote sessions, innovation showcases, exhibitions, masterclasses, and pitch competitions designed to help startups scale and access investment. Tech pioneers such as Rebecca Enonchong, Chair of the AfriLabs Advisory Board, and Ajibola Odukoya, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, are leading discussions on operational excellence and ecosystem sustainability.
Strategic partners including Villgro Africa, Afrexim Bank, Konza Technopolis, and UNDP are also taking part in the gathering, each contributing to the shared vision of building resilient innovation systems across the continent.
Nairobi, known as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” provides the perfect setting for the celebration. Its dynamic startup scene, world-class tech infrastructure, and symbolic hosting of the UN headquarters highlight the city’s growing role as a hub of continental innovation.
As AfriLabs enters its second decade, its focus remains clear — to deepen partnerships, influence policy, and ensure that innovation is inclusive, sustainable, and beneficial to all Africans. The network also plans to leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to drive social and economic transformation across the continent.
From its first gathering in 2016 to this landmark 10th edition, AfriLabs has proven that Africa’s innovators are not waiting for the future — they are building it.
In the words of Anna Ekeledo, “AfriLabs began with a dream to connect Africa’s creative minds. Ten years later, that dream has become a movement. Innovation is no longer a promise for Africa; it is our reality.”
