AfriLabs joins ITU-D as sector member to drive African tech innovation

AfriLabs is excited to announce its official admission as an ITU Development (ITU-D) Sector Member. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, during its 2024 session held from June 4-14, welcomed AfriLabs into the ITU family.

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The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on information and communication technologies, and the ITU-D Sector promotes international cooperation and equitable access to these technologies. AfriLabs’ membership signifies a major milestone in its mission to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development across Africa. This partnership will allow AfriLabs to contribute to global initiatives aimed at driving digital transformation and sustainable development in Africa.

Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “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, noting, “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’ inclusion in the ITU-D Sector underscores the importance of supporting technology and innovation ecosystems in emerging markets. With a network of over 450 innovation centers across 53 African countries, AfriLabs will bring valuable insights and perspectives to ITU’s initiatives and programs.