AfriLabs has announced that Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Hon. Paula Ingabire has given her endorsement for the 2023 AfriLabs Annual Gathering to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. This came after her tweet last year expressing her excitement when Rwanda won the bid to host this event.
In a recent meeting with a team from AfriLabs consisting of Anna Ekeledo, the Executive Director, Steve Tchoumba, an AfriLabs board member, and some other apex staff, the Minister pledged her support for the AfriLabs Annual Gathering and expressed her commitment to hosting all stakeholders of the African technology and innovation ecosystem adding that she is ready to showcase the opportunities available in Rwanda.
“Rwanda is always open to welcoming regional and global innovators, and more so to champion critical conversations that unlock forward-looking policies and opportunities for the startup ecosystem,” she remarks. “Our goal is to empower scalable startups that collectively transform our communities with cutting-edge innovations.”
Hon. Ingabire has committed to having further conversations on policy throughout this year that will yield tangible results in the ecosystem.
The Gathering will be held from October 11-13, 2023 under the theme “Accelerating Africa’s Digital Economy by the Strength of our Community”.
“We thank the Honorable Minister; Paula Ingabire for putting her weight behind platforms like the AfriLabs Annual Gathering,” said Anna Ekeledo during her meeting with the Minister. “AfriLabs appreciates the people, government, and innovation community in Rwanda for the strides they have made in positioning themselves as one of the most progressive countries on the continent. We look forward to onboarding more partners as we approach the Gathering.”
“To the entire African innovation ecosystem, see you in Kigali in October,” said Ekeledo.
The AfriLabs Annual Gathering was inaugurated in Accra, Ghana in 2016. Over the years, the gathering has grown from being just an opportunity to convene the African technology and innovation ecosystem into being an avenue to build African institutions, chart policy pathways, and become a vehicle to usher in the next wave of African technology advancement.
Through collaboration, stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and Government engagement, the event has turned into a focal point for change in Africa
