AfriLabs has announced it will host the 2019 AfriLabs Annual Gathering in partnership with the Division of Human Resource and Youth Development in the Department of Human Resource, Science and Technology with the African Union.
AfriLabs is the bigges pan-African network with 158 technology and innovations centers in 45 African countries.
AfriLabs organizes an annual gathering with the aim to expose stakeholders in African tech and innovation ecosystem to unique opportuinities. It also serves as an avenue for local innovators (entrepreneurs), corporates, investors, academia and developmental agencies to convene, network and share knowledge.
The fourth edition of the AfriLabs Annual Gathering themed ‘Connect: Towards an Integrated Innovation Ecosystem’ is scheduled to take place from the 28th – 30th of October 2019 in Addis Ababa, Eithopia.
The 3-day Gathering will feature panel discussions, keynote addresses, presentation sessions, multiple parallel workshops, local ecosystem tour, networking sessions, and open-floor exhibitions.
Thematic Sessions for the 2019 Annual Gathering include;
- Driving Investment for African Startups and Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship.
- Research to Innovation: Bridging the Gap between Research Institutions, Universities, and Hubs.
- Strengthening National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystems.
- Integrating the Corporate and Innovation Ecosystem: A Collaborative Approach.
- A Dialogue: Creative and Technology Spaces.
- The Role of the Media in Promoting the African Innovation Ecosystem and Working with Hubs for Insight.
- Other sessions facilitated by AfriLabs hub members and partners.
Speaking on the partnership with the African Union, Anna Ekeledo Executive Director, AfriLabs said, “This is a significant partnership that launches a deeper engagement between the African Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and African member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other multilateral development organizations working with the African Union Commission and collaboratively moving towards our common vision of an integrated and prosperous African continent.
“We are calling on other partners and ecosystem stakeholders interested in contributing to the social and economic development of our continent to work with us and our community of innovation hubs across the continent to achieve a successful Annual Gathering 2019 and ultimately our vision for Africa.”
H.E Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner of Human Resources, Science and Technology also said, “As we make concerted efforts to realizing the development of the continent under the forward-looking 1 Million by 2021 Initiative, it gives us great pleasure to partner with AfriLabs on providing a unique opportunity for tech and innovation hubs. The efforts to effectively harness Africa’s demographic dividend can only be accelerated in collaborating with dedicated stakeholders.
“We remain grateful to these partners who are as invested as us in ensuring that the potential of youth on the continent is realized by tapping into these areas which recognize the importance of digital skills as an avenue to achieve sustainable economic development.”
Interested tech stakeholders and enthusiasts can sign up here for the event.
