Innovation in Africa

Here, we intend to look at the current innovation blocks and how incorporating the concepts of viability, sustainability, and scalability into the entire journey of innovation, from ideation to actualization, we can begin to leave a greater impact onto communities across Africa.

What innovation blocks are running in Africa?

For Africa there are three critical players and funnels that form the current innovation ecosystem:
1.Institutions of higher learning - universities, colleges, etc.
2.Incubators, co-working spaces, and hubs – the home of startups
3.Local enterprises – successful startups in the ecosystem

The funnels of innovation

At the very core of innovation lies ideas and methodologies that nurture and provide a framework for the creative process to take place. Institutions of higher learning provide this environment that helps build up the capacity of an ecosystem to create new solutions for its pains.

Institutions of Higher Learning

Innovation is heavily built around the education systems and supported by culture (both existing and nurtured). Here, ideas are prevalent and the support systems are present to make these ideas come to light. These institutions provide a platform where the private sector can synchronize and deliver industry-grade training to students.

Developer communities thrive in educational institutions that encourages industry level training and learning that helps incentivize innovative ideas. Training based initiatives to training young people, and more recently teens, looking to gain skills or pursue a career in technology are increasing. Moreover, funding options for students are increasing with organizations looking to enable the next great startups, not only from Africa but from across the world.

Next steps for institutions of higher learning

However, despite these numerous channels of opportunity, these institutions need to do more to spur viable, sustainable and scalable innovation across the board. Such steps include:

1.Providing an ecosystem of technology aware investors who can financially support innovative ideas coming out of these institutions.
2.Strategic partnerships with the industry working together creating synergy between the two parties and insight on both ends
3.Updated technical knowledge through training facilitated by the enterprises in the industry ensuring that academic institutions are training for industry needs
4.Encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration with regards to building solutions. Healthcare innovation with input from healthcare experts allows for more robust solutions.
5.Setting the social, cultural and intellectual tone of their local areas and ecosystems – having deep roots in the community they’re in, academic institutions can play a critical role in creating more STEM-based cultures where children are encouraged to take on the sciences.
6.Contributions to government and industrial decision making. Once academic institutions are on the table, it’s much easier to push for innovation as an agenda.

Incubators & Hubs

The training provided in the universities and colleges goes a long way in creating the foundation of co-working spaces, hubs, and incubators. Hubs or co-working spaces thrive on young entrepreneurs who are interested in building solutions for their communities. Currently, according to a 2018 GSMA report, there is 442 number of hubs located in major cities across Africa.

From these hubs, come some of the most exciting ideas and business models that are unparalleled anywhere else in the world. MPESA is the brainchild of a campus undergraduate while ideas such as Tanda and Mellowcab are based in co-working spaces.

There are 6,300+ startups currently running and operational in Africa currently according to Angel List and this is an interesting depiction of how the continent is rising to face it challenges all the way from transport to health.

However, not many of the startups that come up end up standing the test of time. Few mature into profitable companies providing services and products for the masses.

Next steps for incubators and hubs

These spaces in Africa have been great spaces for growth but more could be done to improve the experience for young companies. These hubs and co-working spaces serve a critical role in nurturing young businesses with grand ideas into big-time enterprises through support in regards to:
1.Physical infrastructure – affordable office space as well as basic amenities are key in reducing costs of operation for young businesses which is always a good thing
2.Business assistance – young entrepreneurs need help in getting their businesses in order
3.Management, guidance and consulting – proper co-working spaces help in not only abstracting the managerial and administrative hustles of a business but also providing free consultation for the businesses as well.
4.Enabling environment – every co-working space should provide spaces that ensure young businesses can be productive and allow their creative processes to flourish.
5.Networking opportunities – opening up hubs/incubators/two-working spaces to opportunities for

Local & Private Enterprises

These are companies that are part of the African ecosystem whether its foreign or local enterprises, they all have a role to play in the grand scheme of things. At the core, they should provide direction and opportunities for those in the ecosystem.

Local enterprises are often not the first in line to fund local startups that title goes to the multinational enterprises that are hungry to invest in Africa. Sponsoring our own not only helps keep wealth in our countries but allows for growth

Next steps for local and private enterprises

The local enterprises play a critical role in building innovation blocks in several key ways:
1.Funding – once local companies recognize the need to help grow startups and SMEs, we begin to nurture local talents and skills empowering them with capital to build the much-needed solutions for the community
2.Education and training – the private sector serves as a directional instrument for academic institutions. Their knowledge of what the industry requires in terms of skill sets should help students build up the skills needed for the future. Not just skills for employment but mentorship that nurtures entrepreneurship.
3.Infrastructure for Africa – This is one of the passion points for Africa’s Talking and it should be one for enterprises in Africa. We need to see that those building these solutions to African pains are supported by infrastructure, on a technical level, that is designed for Africa. Aside from technological infrastructure, solutions that improve the supply chain across the continent for various materials is key.











The cyclic funnel

These three players, at their best, feed into one another forming a cyclic model for an ecosystem.


Academic institutions providing:
1.Skilled labor to the local and private enterprises
2.Viable companies and business models generated from research

Incubators and Hubs provide:
1.Provide training and incubation facilities to companies and ideas coming from research in academic institutions
2.Help convert startups into enterprises which with the right input, are able to scale

Local and private enterprises provide:
1.Funding and technical training to academic institutions to help make sure that there is relevant skilled labor
2.Investments into startups as well as consulting and advice on how they can scale, run sustainably and become profitable.