AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022 lasted for three days, from the 26th to the 28th of October 2022 in Ciela Resort, Lusaka, Zambia, and the theme was “Intra-Africa Connectivity, Collaboration, and Innovation.”
AfriLabs was created to support African technology hubs by providing financing, mentoring, networking opportunities and other capacity-building resources for high-potential entrepreneurs. AfriLabs’ vision is to build a thriving innovation economy in Africa, powered by the community.
AfriLabs has a broad network of 400 technology and innovation hubs across 52 African countries in 241 cities. One of these hubs in Nigeria is the TechQuest STEM Academy.
At the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022, Dr Itoro Emembolu, our Director at TechQuest STEM Academy emerged as a board member of AfriLabs.
The gathering is held annually to bring together African entrepreneurs, hubs, investors, and other key players in the African ecosystem under one roof.
It is an opportunity for members of the Afrilabs community to learn from each other, network with like-minded individuals, explore new business opportunities and solutions, and collaborate on common goals, and this year was no exception.
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia, had in attendance our Founder Mr Charles Emembolu, Director Dr Itoro Emembolu, Operations Manager Adeola Adediran, and some other members of the organisation.
The gathering also had our Founder Mr Charles Emembolu, and Director Dr Itoro Emembolu as panel speakers.
Mr Charles talked about the Role of African National Networks of Technology and Innovation Hubs. He explored the required alignments needed for developmental growth leveraging policies such as AfCFTANG, the recently passed Nigerian Startup Act amongst others.
Dr Itoro discussed the Uses and Benefits of Collaborative Research for the Innovation and Development of the African Ecosystem. She mentioned that great innovations are coming out of Africa, and collaborations and evidence-based collaborative research can only amplify the impact, showcasing what works where, and how they can be adapted to other contexts without necessarily re-inventing the wheel.
The Zambian Minister of Science and Technology, Hon. Felix Mutati also gave an inspiring keynote speech at the annual gathering.
He said, “when a gazelle wakes up in the morning, it begins its days by running faster than the Lion, so it doesn’t get eaten by the Lion and likewise the lion has to wake up ready for the hunt, ready to catch the gazelle before it runs out of its reach, it is survival at its finest. Africa, we must wake up ready to run, there’s no time to waste, Africa keep running, we’ve got great ground to cover, Africa Run, Keep running.”
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2023 will be happening at Kigali, Rwanda.
