AfriLabs Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, has stated that the challenges bewildering the African continent can be addressed through the proper use of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Ekeledo, speaking at the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022 and Media Briefing recently, said that ambitious and comprehensive efforts across multiple policy areas must be enacted to guarantee the growth and sustainability of the African continent.
She stated that AfriLabs’ 10 policy pathways therefore summarises the priorities for entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, and hubs across Africa, which require urgent attention by policymakers, donors, investors and innovation partners.
Ekeledo further explained that in 2021, African technology startups grew faster than any other region, with investments more than tripling in one year, reaching $5.2 billion, “as we now enter a period of rapid take-off, increased activity in the policy and funding aspects must be stepped up for a sustained impact of innovation in the economic performance of the continent.”
According to her, “Africa’s myriad problems can be solved through the proper use of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Fortunately, the African innovation ecosystem has enjoyed growth in diverse aspects in the last decade. There has been a proliferation of startups, incubation and acceleration programs among others.
“This is why we do what we do at AfriLabs. We believe in setting the bar higher, stronger and better for African institutions, for our community and for ourselves as individuals on what’s possible and on how to achieve our mission, no matter the obstacles!”
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Zixtech HUB, Paul Mbua, AfriLabs has significantly influenced their hub, staff, and sustainability, through AfriLabs hubs learning week, during which they learned and improved their abilities, and noted that their workers can have access to contextualized courses on the AfriLabs Academy.
