Djembe Consultants, the award-winning African-focused communications consultancy, has partnered AfriLabs, the largest pan-Africa network of 225 technology and innovation centres across 47 countries in Africa, to develop a report on the future of African innovation amidst a backdrop of a global pandemic.
The report, ‘Building a Resilient Innovative Africa,’ in line with the focus of the 5th AfriLabs Virtual Annual Gathering from October 12 to 14, 2020, where highlights from the report will be unveiled.
The report will cover trends and opportunities in technology and enterprise, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the framing of a regional policy discussion around African innovation – crucial dialogues in the quest towards realising the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the region wide socio-economic objectives set out in the African Union Agenda 2063 in the post-COVID-19 economy.
The report will bring together powerful perspectives on what it takes to build innovation resilience in Africa across sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, information and communication, and manufacturing, as well as other equally fundamental sectors such as education, finance, and services.
Djembe Consultants, Chief Executive Officer, Mitchell Prather, said, “Djembe Consultants is pleased to partner Africa’s largest network of technology and innovation hubs to elevate the dialogue around strengthening African innovation resilience in these unprecedented times. As official communications partner of the AfriLabs annual gathering this year, Djembe looks forward to unveiling important insights based on the real-world opinions, experiences, and attitudes of African innovation stakeholders from across the continent.
“The Insights Report will provide a range of stakeholders, from investors to policymakers, with a uniquely relevant and timely understanding of the opportunities and challenges that African innovators face as we learn to move forward in the new normal of a COVID-19 world.”
Leveraging the innovation DNA of both organisations, the ‘Building a Resilient Innovative Africa Report’ will feature the perspectives of young African startups and innovators alongside valuable insights from leading public and private sector stakeholders from the continent and beyond including Afreximbank, Honoris United Universities, Mastercard Foundation, Mozilla and the UN Women, amongst others.
Commenting on the report, Nekesa Were, Director of Strategy, AfriLabs, said, “AfriLabs is excited to have Africa’s leading communications consultancy, Djembe Consultants, on board as a partner for this year’s AfriLabs Virtual Annual Gathering. This year’s annual gathering will see a robust dialogue on how to build a resilient innovative Africa.
“Given COVID-19’s economic impact on our network members, the dialogue around strengthening the innovation ecosystem is so critical for when Africa emerges from this global pandemic.”
