Nigeria based Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) has today announced acquisition of Kenya’s iHub for an undisclosed fee. The deal will see iHub’s team become part of CcHUB’s wider central support and strategy network, whilst retaining its name and senior management structure.
While details emerge on how the two entities will operate together, CcHUB Co-Founder and CEO of now both hubs; Bosun Tijani noted that there will be some degree of autonomy. Nekesa Were will continue as iHub Managing Director.
CcHUB is looking at making key hires in innovation, consulting, people management, programme management and community support. Additionally, strengthening its pan-African network and mobilize its far-reaching resources, network and relationships to accelerate the growth of technology innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa.
The acquisition of iHub comes after CcHub expanded to Rwanda, with the launch of its Design Lab — the first creative space in Africa to focus solely on product design and technology innovation.
iHub and CcHub are one the most prolific and reputable technology hubs in Africa. And according to Tijani, iHub and CcHub “coming together makes them stronger giving them a chance to attract greater resources and talent.”
According to TechCrunch, CcHub and iHub are arguably up top as Africa’s most powerful tech hubs. This would be based on the size of their membership networks, volume of tech related programs, startups incubated, partnerships, and global visibility.
Launched in 2011, CcHUB has built a vibrant community of over 14,000 people and has incubated and provided support to a portfolio of over 120 early-stage ventures.
On the other hand, iHub launched in 2010 and is home of BRCK and Ushahidi, as well as startups such as Zayride, Eneza Education, Taimba and Optimetriks. The hub also has helped over 500 companies receive business support services, 100+ of which have gone through incubation and accelerator programs.
Nekesa Were noted that “to-date over USD$40M has been raised by iHub startups in early and growth stage financing.” He added that the iHub portfolio businesses has contributed over 40,000 jobs to the East African economy with their products impacting millions.
According to GSMA in an article published on July 19th, 2019 — there are 618 active tech hubs in Africa that have become focal points for startup formation, training, and IT activity on the continent.
The 2019 active tech hubs has grown tremendously from last year’s 442 to now 618. Uganda as of 2019 has 10 active tech hubs, declining from 16 of 2018.
