AfriLabs partners with Hivos for AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2017
AfriLabs, The largest pan-African network of over 60 technology and innovation hubs across 25 African countries is holding its AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2017 taking place from the 18th - 20th of October in Egypt hosted by AfriLabs member hub The District in partnership with Hivos.
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering and the Hivos Coworking Summit will be coming together as a joint event to provide more opportunities for the different members of both networks to exchange knowledge, network, build collaborative relationships and share resources. The conference is themed ‘Future of Cities: Innovation, Spaces and Collaboration’.
This conference is a showcase covering a select number of topics beneficial to both networks that relate to the future of Africa and the role entrepreneurs are playing and can play. In attendance will be 80 technology and innovation hubs & co-working spaces from 35 countries, over 250 African entrepreneurs and creatives.
The grand opening and first day of the conference will be hosted by the French University in Sherouk City and the subsequent 2 days and grand closing hosted by American University in Cairo. The conference also has an agenda that highlights joint and parallel sessions. In attendance will be Egyptian government representatives, 80 technology and innovation hubs & collaborative spaces from 35 countries, over 250 African entrepreneurs and creatives.
The conference is co-organized by; AfriLabs, Hivos, District, Progrss, Wasabi, The French University and The American University in Cairo (AUC).
“Hivos who will be bringing their amazing network of Collaborative Spaces with our network of Innovation Labs to co-run a three day conference full of exciting activities and discussions which will form the foundation of relationships forged, ecosystem collaborations and innovative solutions which will be implemented on thecontinent for urban, economic and social development. Exciting times indeed!” – Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director ofAfriLabs.
“We are happy to host ‘The Future of African Cities’ Conference in Cairo. We believe that thereare tremendous opportunities for African entrepreneurs to collaborate and contribute to solutions to address some of themost pressing challenges that African cities face today. We are happy to mobilize our network and resources for thisconference,”saysMohamed Helmy, CEO of District Spaces and Progrss.
“For two years now, The Coworking Summit has been empowering managers and founders ofcollaborative spaces by allowing them to connect, share experiences, and expand their networks. We are very excited about the prospectsof bringing our networks and resources together along with Afrilabs to co-organize our Annual Gathering. Observingthe diversity of participants and different partners coming together to be part of this event from both networks ismouthwatering. We can’t wait to see what collaborations and exciting ideas will come out of it“, said Ahmed Sameh,Project Manager,Hivos.
About AfriLabs: a pan-African network of over 50 technology innovation hubs in over 20 African countries. AfriLabs was founded in 2011 to build a community around the rapidly emerging tech hubs in Africa. Each hub serves as a nexus for entrepreneurs, technologists, investors, tech companies and web/mobile engineers in its community who are set to build the innovation economy across Africa. Visit www.afrilabs.com to learn more about AfriLabs.
About Hivos: an international organisation that seeks new solutions to persistent global issues. With smart projects in the right places, it oppose discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. Visit mena.hivos.org to learn more about Hivos MENA.
About District: was founded in 2011 as the first Egyptian co working space in Egypt and among the pioneers in the MENA region by Mazen Helmy, a serial entrepreneur, awarded Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs under 30 by Forbes in 2014. District is created on the values of positive thinking, inspiration, collaboration and innovation.
About Progrss: is the online go-to hub for innovation, trends and best practices in the transformation of cities all over the world. Through in-depth features, interviews, news, and data analysis & visualization, progrss.com decodes knowledge, information and insights on cities and their innovators (both present and future) as the world gears up for an increasingly urbanized existence.