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By Seun Hassan

AfriLabs expands to 514 hubs, impacts 280,000 lives in 2024 Report. Charts path to $1 trillion African digital economy.

AfriLabs, Africa’s largest network of innovation hubs, has released its 2024 Impact Report, showcasing impressive strides in advancing the continent’s digital innovation ecosystem. In a challenging year marked by global economic slowdowns and declining venture capital, AfriLabs not only sustained momentum — it scaled significantly, growing its network to 514 hubs across 53 African countries.

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The network reached over 280,000 entrepreneurs, youth, and startups through transformative programs spanning artificial intelligence (AI), climate technology, gender inclusion, and digital skills development. According to the report, these efforts are building the foundation for a $1 trillion digital economy in Africa.

“Africa’s brightest minds are not just participating in global innovation — they are leading it. This report is both a celebration of progress and a call to action for partners, policymakers, and investors to co-create a future where no innovator is left behind,” said AfriLabs Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo.

Driving Impact Through Strategic Programs

AfriLabs delivered high-impact results through a range of flagship programs, including:

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  • RevUp Women – Promoting female-led entrepreneurship and leadership.
  • Talent4Startups – Bridging the skills gap with job-ready digital talent.
  • UNFPA Partnerships – Supporting innovation for population health and rights.
  • Greenovations Africa – Accelerating sustainable and climate-conscious startups.

These initiatives empowered thousands of SMEs and early-stage startups, providing mentorship, funding access, and technical capacity-building that spanned the entire continent.

Global Influence and Policy Advocacy

AfriLabs extended its influence globally, representing African innovation at major platforms such as:

  • UNGA79
  • VivaTech
  • GITEX GLOBAL
  • Global DPI Summit

At these events, AfriLabs led dialogues on inclusive digital policy, AI ethics, and youth and women empowerment, solidifying its role as a leading voice for Africa’s digital transformation.

Strategic Partnerships Powering Ecosystem Growth

Through collaborations with leading organizations such as:

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Intel
  • Meta
  • Digital Africa
  • Mastercard Foundation

AfriLabs expanded initiatives like AfriLabs Connect, now engaging over 7,000 ecosystem stakeholders, and launched Amari, an AI-powered learning assistant revolutionizing digital education across Africa.

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Vision 2025: Unlocking $1 Billion and Ethical AI

Looking ahead, AfriLabs has set ambitious 2025 strategic goals including:

  • Unlocking $1 billion in digital investment for Africa’s innovation ecosystem
  • Advancing ethical, inclusive AI development
  • Scaling policy advocacy across the continent
  • Developing next-generation innovation infrastructure

Download the Full Report

To explore the full story of AfriLabs’ journey and future plans, download the complete 2024 Impact Report: https://bit.ly/AfriLabs-Report-2024

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