Organization · Community
AfriLabs
AfriLabs is a pan-African network organization based in Abuja, Nigeria, that connects over 80 innovation centers across 27 countries to foster collaboration and support for entrepreneurs and tech hubs in Africa.
Overview
What AfriLabs does
What AfriLabs is
AfriLabs is a pan-African network organization based in Abuja, Nigeria, that connects over 80 innovation centers across 27 countries to foster collaboration and support for entrepreneurs and tech hubs in Africa.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2011
- Approximate age
- About 15 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
Official channels
Find AfriLabs elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
AfriLabs as a community
Community overview
AfriLabs is a network organization that supports innovation centers across African countries. Founded in 2011 and based in Abuja, Nigeria, the organization aims to build a community around the rapidly emerging technology hubs in Africa.
Community focus
AfriLabs provides various services to support innovation, including ecosystem engagement and capacity building, corporate engagement and services, research and development, and consulting and advisory services. The organization focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders, including hubs, investors, academia, corporates, and government institutions.
Member value
Members of AfriLabs benefit from networking opportunities, capacity building, and access to resources that enhance collaboration within the innovation ecosystem.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators · Students
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- Africa
Community activity
- Annual events
- 1
Events and activity
AfriLabs hosts an Annual Gathering, which serves as a platform for networking and collaboration among innovation stakeholders. Additionally, the AfriLabs Connect program enhances collaboration within the innovation ecosystem.
Notable members
Key members of the AfriLabs board include Rene Parker (Board Chair, Director of RLabs, South Africa), Christoff Oosthuysen (Board Treasurer, Entrepreneurial Planning Institute / DigiBiz.Africa), and Wangiwe Joanna Kambuzi (Board Secretary, Emerge Livelihoods), among others.
Capability profile
AfriLabs as an event host
Event focus
AfriLabs is dedicated to supporting innovation centers across Africa by providing ecosystem engagement, capacity building, corporate engagement, research and development, and consulting services. The organization aims to empower entrepreneurs and various stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem, including hubs, investors, academia, corporates, and government institutions.
Format narrative
AfriLabs organizes various programs and initiatives, including an Annual Gathering for networking and collaboration, AfriLabs Connect for enhancing collaboration within the ecosystem, and AfriLabs Academy for capacity building and training for entrepreneurs.
Participant value
Attendees benefit from networking opportunities, capacity building, and access to resources that enhance their ability to innovate and collaborate within the African technology ecosystem.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- meetup
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Growth Equity
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Regions
- Africa
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Key members of the AfriLabs board include Rene Parker, Christoff Oosthuysen, Wangiwe Joanna Kambuzi, Dr. Hany Elsalamony, Catherinerose Barretto, Berry Numbi, Mamashiya Ntsepeng Tsita Tikiso, Moussa Hubert OUOLOGUEM, and Kenneth Twesigye.
Past editions
AfriLabs has successfully hosted various gatherings and programs that foster collaboration among innovation stakeholders across Africa.
Capability profile
AfriLabs as a publisher
Editorial focus
AfriLabs is a network organization dedicated to fostering innovation across African countries. Founded in 2011 and based in Abuja, Nigeria, it aims to build a community around the rapidly emerging technology hubs in Africa. The organization provides various services including ecosystem engagement, capacity building, corporate engagement, research and development, and consulting services, focusing on empowering entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders.
Audience value
AfriLabs offers a platform for networking and collaboration among innovation stakeholders, enhancing collaboration within the innovation ecosystem, and providing capacity building and training for entrepreneurs.
Format and cadence
- Content formats
- blog and research-report
- Primary platform
- Website
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Regions
- Africa
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
AfriLabs publishes the 'Kubatana' magazine, which highlights the work of African innovation ecosystem builders. The organization also conducts research and publishes reports on innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.
Common questions
What to know about AfriLabs
Upseed classifies AfriLabs under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community, event host, and publisher capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.