Image:AfriLabs

This article was originally published in Kubatana, a new annual collection of African innovation stories from AfriLabs

2021 has been an exciting year for AfriLabs. What better way to celebrate our 10 year anniversary than to reflect on the work we have done over the years and to map an exciting path for our community for the next decade?

We have spent this year listening to the African innovation ecosystem. From hubs, technologists and innovators, to investors, public sector organisations and researchers, we have enjoyed viewing our work from the perspective of those who have worked with us, funded us, heard of us and benefited from the programs we have implemented or connections we have made. These conversations have validated our work. They have also challenged us to do more and do better.

We have also had several honest conversations as a team at AfriLabs. We have reflected on our purpose and our impact. Together we have dreamed about what we want to accomplish in the next ten years and discussed what kind of structure, team and culture we need to adopt to get there.

The new AfriLabs strategy 2022 – 2027 is a result of this collective intelligence. We believe that it is an extensive piece of work depicting different voices, different countries, different cultures in one voice. It represents our best wishes for Africa and our commitment to seeing Africa thrive on the foundation of technology, innovation, knowledge and networks made and fostered in Africa.

Over the next ten years, and in collaboration with our community and partners we will work within four core pillars to impact the fast growing innovation ecosystem across Africa. First, we are committing to working on ourselves. As an organisation, we can only realise our vision and that of the ecosystem if we are operating optimally. We are investing time and resources to strengthen our operations and grow our team across the regions. Second, based on the needs of our community, we are committing to grow our current programs and introducing new AfriLabs signature programs that will ensure that our hubs, and the innovators they serve, have access to the funding, training, mentorship and technical support they need to thrive. Third, we are committing to create alliances to shape more innovation friendly policies and to ensure their implementation. Finally, we are committing to create, curate and disseminate critical knowledge to enable our community and partners to build relevant, data-backed and sustainable solutions and interventions for the continent.

The African innovation ecosystem has changed. The different actors have increased and become more engaged. The ecosystem’s needs have changed. The way in which we engage the rest of the world has changed. At AfriLabs we are now committing to change the way we work and what we do to address this dynamic African innovation ecosystem and we need a brand that reflects this. So it has been exciting to take all our learnings from the strategic plan engagement, and crowd source suggestions on how this might be reflected in our new brand. More bold, more inclusive and rooted in Africa – letting what you see and feel match what we do.