AfriLabs joins ITU-D, boosting Africa’s tech

AfriLabs has announced its official acceptance as a member of the ITU Development (ITU-D) Sector

During its session held from June 4-14, 2024, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council formally welcomed AfriLabs into its ranks.

The ITU, a specialised United Nations agency, focuses on information and communication technologies. The ITU-D Sector specifically aims to foster international collaboration and ensure equitable access to telecommunication and information technologies.

AfriLabs’ inclusion in ITU-D marks a significant milestone in its mission to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development across Africa. This new partnership will allow AfriLabs to engage in global discussions and initiatives that promote digital transformation and sustainable development in the region.

Anna Ekeledo, executive director of AfriLabs, expressed, “We are thrilled to join the ITU as an ITU-D Sector Member. This membership not only validates the efforts of AfriLabs in fostering innovation and technology growth in Africa but also provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate on a global scale. We look forward to leveraging ITU’s vast resources and network to further our mission of empowering African tech hubs and startups, ultimately driving socio-economic development across the continent.”

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, also welcomed AfriLabs: “I am pleased to welcome AfriLabs as a new ITU-D Sector Member. The AfriLabs’ vast network of technology and innovation hubs is aligned with ITU-D’s efforts in building capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship for its members and will support the development of the African technology and innovation ecosystem.”

AfriLabs’ addition to the ITU-D Sector highlights the critical need to support technology and innovation in emerging markets. With its extensive network of over 450 innovation centers across 53 African countries, AfriLabs will contribute valuable insights and perspectives to ITU’s programs and initiatives.