Africa’s Top Tech Hubs and Incubators

These innovative spaces are poised to drive development.

Sparking Startups and Innovation - Africa’s information and technology sector is shaping up to become a major driver of development. As unemployment rates skyrocket and infrastructures struggle, burgeoning technology communities across Africa are forging unprecedented paths to solve economic and social ills. Keep reading to learn more about the African tech hubs and incubators where innovation is born. —Patrice Peck (Photo: Courtesy of Nailab.co.ke)

1 / 14

Sparking Startups and Innovation - Africa’s information and technology sector is shaping up to become a major driver of development. As unemployment rates skyrocket and infrastructures struggle, burgeoning technology communities across Africa are forging unprecedented paths to solve economic and social ills. Keep reading to learn more about the African tech hubs and incubators where innovation is born. —Patrice Peck (Photo: Courtesy of Nailab.co.ke)

iHub – Nairobi, Kenya - Founded in Nairobi — also known as Silicon Savannah — iHub is a co-working space where more than 11,000 young entrepreneurs, Web and mobile phone programmers and other creatives share office space, equipment and ideas. More than 50 companies have launched at iHub since its inception in 2010. (Photo: Courtesy of iHub via Facebook)

2 / 14

iHub – Nairobi, Kenya - Founded in Nairobi — also known as Silicon Savannah — iHub is a co-working space where more than 11,000 young entrepreneurs, Web and mobile phone programmers and other creatives share office space, equipment and ideas. More than 50 companies have launched at iHub since its inception in 2010. (Photo: Courtesy of iHub via Facebook)

Hive Colab – Kampala, Uganda - Uganda’s first tech hub boasts a reliable Internet connection, back-up electricity, and a conference space for one-on-one meetings. A community-owned co-working space based in Kampala, Hive Colab provides hands-on assistance to young technology entrepreneurs. (Photo: Courtesy of Hivecolab.org)

3 / 14

Hive Colab – Kampala, Uganda - Uganda’s first tech hub boasts a reliable Internet connection, back-up electricity, and a conference space for one-on-one meetings. A community-owned co-working space based in Kampala, Hive Colab provides hands-on assistance to young technology entrepreneurs. (Photo: Courtesy of Hivecolab.org)

ActivSpaces – Buea, Cameroon - Comprised of a vibrant community of developers, artists, entrepreneurs, journalists and more, Cameroon’s Activspaces offers free memberships. The requirements for joining the co-working space is to have an active project in the works and aspiring members must also pitch their project to the ActivSpaces community. (Photo: Courtesy ActivSpaces via Facebook)

4 / 14

ActivSpaces – Buea, Cameroon - Comprised of a vibrant community of developers, artists, entrepreneurs, journalists and more, Cameroon’s Activspaces offers free memberships. The requirements for joining the co-working space is to have an active project in the works and aspiring members must also pitch their project to the ActivSpaces community. (Photo: Courtesy ActivSpaces via Facebook)

BantaLabs – Saint-Louis, Senegal - This small team of Drupal developers and trainers operates out of Senegal, France and the U.K. Through BantaLabs, they build Durpal Web and mobile projects for high-profile organizations, including Turner Broadcasting Europe and the U.N. They also provide free and paid Durpal training and workshops. (Photo: Courtesy of BantaLabs via Facebook)

5 / 14

BantaLabs – Saint-Louis, Senegal - This small team of Drupal developers and trainers operates out of Senegal, France and the U.K. Through BantaLabs, they build Durpal Web and mobile projects for high-profile organizations, including Turner Broadcasting Europe and the U.N. They also provide free and paid Durpal training and workshops. (Photo: Courtesy of BantaLabs via Facebook)

ADVERTISEMENT
NaiLab – Nairobi, Kenya - Launched in 2011 by Sam Gichuru, NaiLab provides financial and advisory support to start-ups to ultimately generate jobs and income in Kenya, expand the middle class and decrease poverty. The incubator received $1.6 million in a partnership with the Kenyan government in January 2013. (Photo: Courtesy of Nailab.co.ke)

6 / 14

NaiLab – Nairobi, Kenya - Launched in 2011 by Sam Gichuru, NaiLab provides financial and advisory support to start-ups to ultimately generate jobs and income in Kenya, expand the middle class and decrease poverty. The incubator received $1.6 million in a partnership with the Kenyan government in January 2013. (Photo: Courtesy of Nailab.co.ke)

MEST – Accra, Ghana - Through an in-house incubator, the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) aims to train, mentor and invest in aspiring Ghanaian software entrepreneurs. Supported by a slew of Silicon Valley big shots like Skype and Etsy, MEST provides trainees with a wide array of resources. (Photo: Courtesy of Mest via Facebook)

7 / 14

MEST – Accra, Ghana - Through an in-house incubator, the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) aims to train, mentor and invest in aspiring Ghanaian software entrepreneurs. Supported by a slew of Silicon Valley big shots like Skype and Etsy, MEST provides trainees with a wide array of resources. (Photo: Courtesy of Mest via Facebook)

iceAddis – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - According to the iceAddis website, this incubator and co-working space contributes to Ethiopia’s economic growth by “tightening the constructive interaction” between entrepreneurs, developers and creative workers and “promoting technological solutions to the public.” Located in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital, the visually striking space was originally intended to be an art gallery. (Photo: Courtesy of Iceaddis.com)

8 / 14

iceAddis – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - According to the iceAddis website, this incubator and co-working space contributes to Ethiopia’s economic growth by “tightening the constructive interaction” between entrepreneurs, developers and creative workers and “promoting technological solutions to the public.” Located in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital, the visually striking space was originally intended to be an art gallery. (Photo: Courtesy of Iceaddis.com)

Co-Creation Hub – Lagos, Nigeria - A self-described “cushy nest,” Nigeria’s Co-Creation Hub acts as a “pre-incubation” space for everyone from “geeks” to public agencies. Annual membership fees range from no cost to about $6,000. Past events include a Nokia Asha Developer Bootcamp and a four-week CodeCamp. (Photo: Courtesy of Co-Creation Hub via Facebook)

9 / 14

Co-Creation Hub – Lagos, Nigeria - A self-described “cushy nest,” Nigeria’s Co-Creation Hub acts as a “pre-incubation” space for everyone from “geeks” to public agencies. Annual membership fees range from no cost to about $6,000. Past events include a Nokia Asha Developer Bootcamp and a four-week CodeCamp. (Photo: Courtesy of Co-Creation Hub via Facebook)

iLab – Monrovia, Liberia - Python Programming for Girls and Social Media for Change are just a few of iLab’s course offerings, all of which emphasize “community leveraging technology for the good of Liberia.” Past events held by this non-profit hub and co-working space include film screenings and guest lectures. (Photo: Courtesy iLab Liberia)

10 / 14

iLab – Monrovia, Liberia - Python Programming for Girls and Social Media for Change are just a few of iLab’s course offerings, all of which emphasize “community leveraging technology for the good of Liberia.” Past events held by this non-profit hub and co-working space include film screenings and guest lectures. (Photo: Courtesy iLab Liberia)

ADVERTISEMENT
RLabs – Cape Town, South Africa - RLabs’ vision is to impact, empower and reconstruct communities through innovation. Through recent projects like Grow Leadership Academy, this South African hub provides digital and entrepreneurship training and mentoring to locals. Additional RLabs locations include Europe and South America. (Photo: Courtesy of RLabs.org)

11 / 14

RLabs – Cape Town, South Africa - RLabs’ vision is to impact, empower and reconstruct communities through innovation. Through recent projects like Grow Leadership Academy, this South African hub provides digital and entrepreneurship training and mentoring to locals. Additional RLabs locations include Europe and South America. (Photo: Courtesy of RLabs.org)

Habaka – Tsimbazaza, Madagascar - Non-profit organization Habaka seeks to reduce the digital divide in Madagascar by serving as a meeting place for bloggers, online activists and self-employed and freelance I.T. specialists. The co-working space plans to install an incubator for local start-ups in the near future. (Photo: Courtesy of i-hub.mg)

12 / 14

Habaka – Tsimbazaza, Madagascar - Non-profit organization Habaka seeks to reduce the digital divide in Madagascar by serving as a meeting place for bloggers, online activists and self-employed and freelance I.T. specialists. The co-working space plans to install an incubator for local start-ups in the near future. (Photo: Courtesy of i-hub.mg)

m:Lab East Africa – Nairobi, Kenya - Four influential technology organizations teamed up to create m:Lab East Africa, a consortium aspiring to identify, nurture and help build sustainable enterprises. m:Lab’s mission is “to facilitate demand-driven innovation by regional entrepreneurs, ensuring that breakthrough low-cost [and] high-value mobile solutions can be developed and scaled-up into sustainable businesses that address social needs.” (Photo: Courtesy of mlab.co.ke)

13 / 14

m:Lab East Africa – Nairobi, Kenya - Four influential technology organizations teamed up to create m:Lab East Africa, a consortium aspiring to identify, nurture and help build sustainable enterprises. m:Lab’s mission is “to facilitate demand-driven innovation by regional entrepreneurs, ensuring that breakthrough low-cost [and] high-value mobile solutions can be developed and scaled-up into sustainable businesses that address social needs.” (Photo: Courtesy of mlab.co.ke)

Wennovation Hub – Lagos, Nigeria - At this Nigerian incubator, local entrepreneurs are provided with access to office space, business consultation, mentorships and funding. In addition to programs like Wennopreneure-in-Residence and a Wenno Camp, start-ups can also take advantage of the Wenno pad, a nearby apartment used for developmental lock-downs and team retreats. (Photo: Courtesy of Wennovation Hub via Facebook)

14 / 14

Wennovation Hub – Lagos, Nigeria - At this Nigerian incubator, local entrepreneurs are provided with access to office space, business consultation, mentorships and funding. In addition to programs like Wennopreneure-in-Residence and a Wenno Camp, start-ups can also take advantage of the Wenno pad, a nearby apartment used for developmental lock-downs and team retreats. (Photo: Courtesy of Wennovation Hub via Facebook)