AfriLabs
Powering Africa’s innovation infrastructure.
AfriLabs is the largest pan-African network of innovation hubs, supporting entrepreneurs with access to communities, resources, and opportunities across the continent. Sanaga Ventures actively collaborates with AfriLabs to strengthen early-stage ecosystems and unlock scalable, founder-led growth.
Unpack the details
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AfriLabs strengthens innovation hubs as critical infrastructure supporting entrepreneurs with space, programs, and community.
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The network connects 500+ innovation hubs across 52 countries, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs.
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Through capacity building, peer exchange, partnerships, and access to funding and programs.
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AfriLabs was established in 2011 to connect a small but growing number of innovation hubs across Africa and enable peer learning and coordination.
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Its federated model allows hubs to remain locally grounded while benefiting from continental coordination and shared learning.
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AfriLabs works with corporates, governments, and DFIs to deliver programs and partnerships through trusted local hubs.
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It demonstrates how decentralized ecosystems can scale impact through coordination rather than centralization.
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Sanaga Ventures is the initiator of the AfriLabs association, at the time Ben White and Bill Zimmerman. Both were involved from the early stages, helping shape AfriLabs’ network model, partnerships, and strategic direction. The firm contributed to its growth into a continent-wide platform. The AfriLabs secretariate was hosted at the Sanaga Ventures offices for the first 5 years.
Pan-African Reach
A continent-wide network of innovation hubs supporting entrepreneurs across diverse markets and ecosystems. This reach enables shared learning and collaboration at scale.
Local Capacity Building
Strengthens hubs and founders with programs, partnerships, and access to global opportunities. Emphasis is placed on building resilient, locally anchored ecosystems.
Ecosystem Infrastructure
Provides the connective tissue between entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and development partners. This infrastructure lowers barriers to growth and improves access to resources across the ecosystem.