More than a widespread epidemic, the flurry of incubators that have been popping up in Africa for several years, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, is a real boon for business creation and the best way to build sustainable solutions that can change the lives of an entire population. It should be seen as a real positive and massive impact on the African innovation ecosystem. An idea, before becoming an innovative project, must take the time to mature and be built on clear and objective analyses. In addition to the number one obstacle to creating startups in Africa, which remains above all the lack of funding for risk and innovation, the lack of experience and expertise of young creators are also elements that threaten the long-term viability of a project.
Africa, although recognized for the emergence of many extraordinary ideas, needs supervision and to bridge the gap related to the sometimes proven lack of essential skills to allow a project to become sustainable.
These “new innovation centers” have as their primary mission to establish companies for the long term, notably through professional support, follow-up in management methods, and an omnipresent back-office especially on legal, tax, and accounting issues. This is done to mature and measure the feasibility of a project, and to develop an economic model more connected to innovation, creating value-added wealth.
Young companies or Startups resort to this solution to boost their project. Proof that the concept meets a real need for at least 70% of young companies. “Incubators have become important structures in many sub-Saharan African countries where 85% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not survive the 2nd year of activity. On the other hand, companies that follow an incubation process show a survival rate of more than 80% after five years of activity.” (Patrick Ndungidi, from the Agence d’information de l’Afrique Centrale).
Their direct impact on the African economy?
Between TechLab, TechHub, FabLabs, co-working spaces, or simple accelerators, these new social centers, whatever qualifier they are given, also contribute to the economic and sustainable development of the continent. Moreover, they are mostly funded by local private entrepreneurs and very rarely, if ever, subsidized by the State itself.
More than new meeting spaces, they are real “Hubs” that allow for the exchange of ideas, mentoring, coaching, free collaboration, partnership building, fundraising, networking, etc., all with the aim of developing a business climate conducive to the success of entrepreneurial projects. This is done within the framework and through the initiative of hackathons, competitions, workshops, and conferences led by speakers.
Senegal, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, are all West African countries witnessing the birth of these latest generation incubators and can be proud to host many having a real impact on the community, among the most popular being Woelab, Jokkolabs, CTIC, iLab, Etrilabs, Co-creationHub Nigeria, Activspaces, Akendewa, Mest, not counting the newcomers. Many incubators are also listed on the Afrilabs website, whose role is to organize exchanges and synergies between the different sites present on the continent.
In short, the innovation ecosystem continues to be clearly driven, thanks to the role played by these new generation “African” incubators, irrefutable proof that “African innovation” is on the move. That is ultimately what matters, isn’t it?
Some useful links:
