In a year marked by economic headwinds and shrinking global venture funding, AfriLabs expanded its network to an unprecedented 514 innovation hubs across 53 African countries, directly reaching over 280,000 entrepreneurs, startups, and youth through groundbreaking programs.

From AI to climate tech, gender inclusion to digital skills, the newly released 2024 AfriLabs Impact Report offers a data-driven, inspiring look at how Africa’s largest innovation network is not only bridging opportunity gaps, but laying the groundwork for a $1 trillion digital economy. This isn’t just a report, it’s a blueprint for Africa’s technological rise.

With programs like RevUp Women, Talent4Startups, UNFPA, and Greenovations Africa, AfriLabs empowered thousands of startups and SMEs with funding, mentorship, and technical skills to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges.

Its platforms and initiatives reached beneficiaries in all 53 African countries, driving sustainable development and economic inclusion.

On the global stage, AfriLabs elevated Africa’s innovation voice at major events such as UNGA79, VivaTech, GITEX, and the Global DPI Summit, advocating for inclusive policy, AI ethics, and youth and women empowerment.

These engagements not only amplified Africa’s digital priorities but positioned AfriLabs as a leading convener in the global tech ecosystem.

Strategic partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Digital Africa, Intel, Meta, and the Mastercard Foundation enabled the expansion of initiatives like AfriLabs Connect, now linking over 7,000 ecosystem stakeholders, and the rollout of Amari, an AI-powered learning assistant transforming digital education across the continent.

AfriLabs Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, stated: “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.”

Looking ahead, the report outlines AfriLabs’ 2025 strategic priorities, including a bold Moonshot Goal of unlocking $1 billion in digital investment, advancing ethical and inclusive AI, expanding policy advocacy, and building future-forward innovation infrastructure.

To explore the full scope of AfriLabs’ achievements and learn how innovation is shaping Africa’s future, download the full 2024 AfriLabs Impact Report here.

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