Key tech hubs and incubators in Southern African countries to promote your technology, digital health startup

Africa is on its boom of technology innovation, in the recent years the innovation scene has greatly expanded, thanks to the growing number of internet broadband connections and passion-driven local innovators deifying all odds, giving rise to the need for incubators.

Ranging from fully-fledged ICT business incubators, offering office space and venture capitalist seed funding for start-ups to grow, to simple co-working space broadband-equipped facilities that allow techies to come together to shape and refine business ideas, tech hub is the most exciting concept in the African startup scene currently.

According to the 2016 map of tech hubs and incubators in Africa by the World Bank, there are now more than 170 tech hubs across the continent, and more than half of Africa economies have at least one but here is a list of key technology hubs in Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Lesotho

THIS IS NOT A RANKING

Malawi
1. Polytechnic Design Studio Since being founded in May 2016 the Poly Design studio situated in Blantyre Malawi, launched its space for Malawian local innovators and teams to come together to discuss, design and build their ideas (hardware, software and other). Members of the design studio have worked on dozens of projects from remote-controlled planes to autonomous drones, to phototherapy devices and oxygen concentrators for use in hospitals. Contact person Name: FransisMasi Email: [email protected]\| [email protected]
2. The UNICEF Innovation hub (M’phikaWaluso) With much focus on youth development, MphikaWaluso(The UNICEF Innovation hub) is a collaborative space where innovative products and services that can directly contribute to Malawi’s development are identified, developed, and matured for scale. URL Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Innovation-Hub-Malawi-678796892265412/ Contact person Name: Misael Buliani Email: misaelbulian@gmail
3. MHub MHub is Malawi’s first technology hub, situated in Lilongwe Malawi. It is an incubator for technology startups with a special focus on building young technology entrepreneurs through training, skills development, and mentorship. URL Web: http://www.mhubmw.com/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/mHubMW/ Contact person Name: Vincent Kumwenda Email: [email protected]
4. The Hub The Hub comprised of Blantyre entrepreneurs hub and Limbe entrepreneurs hub, is a great place for co-working space giving a boost to upcoming young entrepreneurs with business ideas that need a home for their business which ranges from minimal priced fees to some advanced to carter for both upcoming and advancing entrepreneurs. URL Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/blantyrehub/ Contact person Name: DineoMkwezalamba Email: [email protected]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dineo-katane-mkwezalamba-63580867

Malawi

1. Polytechnic Design Studio

Since being founded in May 2016 the Poly Design studio situated in Blantyre Malawi, launched its space for Malawian local innovators and teams to come together to discuss, design and build their ideas (hardware, software and other). Members of the design studio have worked on dozens of projects from remote-controlled planes to autonomous drones, to phototherapy devices and oxygen concentrators for use in hospitals.

Contact person

Name: FransisMasi
Email: [email protected]| [email protected]

2. The UNICEF Innovation hub (M’phikaWaluso)

With much focus on youth development, MphikaWaluso(The UNICEF Innovation hub) is a collaborative space where innovative products and services that can directly contribute to Malawi’s development are identified, developed, and matured for scale.

URL

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Innovation-Hub-Malawi-678796892265412/

Contact person

Name: Misael Buliani
Email: misaelbulian@gmail

3. MHub

MHub is Malawi’s first technology hub, situated in Lilongwe Malawi. It is an incubator for technology startups with a special focus on building young technology entrepreneurs through training, skills development, and mentorship.

URL

Web: http://www.mhubmw.com/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/mHubMW/

Contact person

Name: Vincent Kumwenda
Email: [email protected]

4. The Hub

The Hub comprised of Blantyre entrepreneurs hub and Limbe entrepreneurs hub, is a great place for co-working space giving a boost to upcoming young entrepreneurs with business ideas that need a home for their business which ranges from minimal priced fees to some advanced to carter for both upcoming and advancing entrepreneurs.

URL

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/blantyrehub/

Contact person

Name: DineoMkwezalamba
Email: [email protected]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dineo-katane-mkwezalamba-63580867

Tanzania
1. Buni Buni is a technology Hub which fosters innovation and technology entrepreneurship through capacity building, mentoring programs and community empowerment. Founded in 2011, Buni Innovation Hub focus is to discover, nurture and mentor youths with innovative technological solutions to problems facing Tanzania. URL Web: http://buni.or.tz/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/bunihub/ Contact person Name: Jacqueline Dismas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-dismas-5b3673147/
2. STICLAB STICLAB is the place to experiment, create machines, and develop your technological innovations. The maker space incubates innovators who come up with products to tackle the development challenges in Tanzania and beyond. URL Web: www.sticlab.co.tz Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/STIClab-LTD-199246130413117/ Contact person Phone: +255 655 380 540 \| +255 624 086 540 Email: [email protected]
3. DTBi The Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) is a Not-For-Profit Company run as a business registered in Tanzania. It’s an Incubator that promotes the growth of ICT technology-based emerging companies. URL Web: http://teknohama.or.tz/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/pg/DTBiTz/ Contact person Phone: +255 766 368 387 Email: [email protected]
4. TWENDE In 2007, Jim Elsworth established a workshop in Arusha, Tanzania called Twende (Swahili for “let’s go”) to identify local needs & engineer new technology solutions, empower entrepreneurs, offer business support, and encourage local innovation. URL Web: http://www.twende-tanzania.org/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/pg/DTBiTz/ Contact person Name: Frank Email: [email protected]
5. Kili hub Kili Hub is an inspiring community of changemakers. Space where innovation and collaboration collide through opportune moments and serendipitous meetings. Kili Hub offers office space, conference rooms, and free internet facilities to entrepreneurs to help grow their business. URL Web: https://www.kilihub.com/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/kilihub/ Contact person Email: [email protected] Phone: +255 756 036 941

Tanzania

1. Buni

Buni is a technology Hub which fosters innovation and technology entrepreneurship through capacity building, mentoring programs and community empowerment. Founded in 2011, Buni Innovation Hub focus is to discover, nurture and mentor youths with innovative technological solutions to problems facing Tanzania.

URL

Web: http://buni.or.tz/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/bunihub/

Contact person

Name: Jacqueline Dismas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-dismas-5b3673147/

2. STICLAB

STICLAB is the place to experiment, create machines, and develop your technological innovations. The maker space incubates innovators who come up with products to tackle the development challenges in Tanzania and beyond.

URL

Web: www.sticlab.co.tz

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/STIClab-LTD-199246130413117/

Contact person

Phone: +255 655 380 540 | +255 624 086 540
Email: [email protected]

3. DTBi

The Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) is a Not-For-Profit Company run as a business registered in Tanzania. It’s an Incubator that promotes the growth of ICT technology-based emerging companies.

URL

Web: http://teknohama.or.tz/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/pg/DTBiTz/

Contact person

Phone: +255 766 368 387
Email: [email protected]

4. TWENDE

In 2007, Jim Elsworth established a workshop in Arusha, Tanzania called Twende (Swahili for “let’s go”) to identify local needs & engineer new technology solutions, empower entrepreneurs, offer business support, and encourage local innovation.

URL

Web: http://www.twende-tanzania.org/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/pg/DTBiTz/

Contact person

Name: Frank
Email: [email protected]

5. Kili hub

Kili Hub is an inspiring community of changemakers. Space where innovation and collaboration collide through opportune moments and serendipitous meetings. Kili Hub offers office space, conference rooms, and free internet facilities to entrepreneurs to help grow their business.

URL

Web: https://www.kilihub.com/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/kilihub/

Contact person

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +255 756 036 941

Zimbabwe
1. Impact Hub Impact Hub is a social business incubator, an innovation lab, a social enterprise community centre, and the global network of resources, inspiration, and opportunities. Founded by three passionate women. URL Web: http://impacthubharare.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactHubHarare LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/impacthubharare Contact person Email: [email protected] Phone: +263 77 934 0242
2. MuzindaHub(Civil society led ) Established in 2014, the vision behind Muzinda Hub was to catalyze youth job creation within Zimbabwe by providing young adults access to IT programming and digital skills training. URL web: https://www.muzindahub.co.zw/contact Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muzinda/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5896849 Contact person Name: TawandaKembo Email: [email protected]\| [email protected]\|[email protected]

Zimbabwe

1. Impact Hub

Impact Hub is a social business incubator, an innovation lab, a social enterprise community centre, and the global network of resources, inspiration, and opportunities. Founded by three passionate women.

URL

Web: http://impacthubharare.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactHubHarare

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/impacthubharare

Contact person

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +263 77 934 0242

2. MuzindaHub(Civil society led )

Established in 2014, the vision behind Muzinda Hub was to catalyze youth job creation within Zimbabwe by providing young adults access to IT programming and digital skills training.

URL

web: https://www.muzindahub.co.zw/contact

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muzinda/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5896849

Contact person

Name: TawandaKembo
Email: [email protected]| [email protected]|[email protected]

Zambia
1. BongoHive Technology & Innovation Hub BongoHive is Zambia’s first technology and innovation hub. Established in May 2011 and based in Lusaka, the co-founders, all enthusiastic programmers, sought to address the gaps they experienced working within the local technology industry leading to a lack of coordination, skills exposure, and productivity. URL Web: https://bongohive.co.zm/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BongoHive Contact person Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bongohive
2. Asikana Network To create a community of confident and capable women through technology. Asikana Network is an organization that seeks to increase the meaningful participation of women and girls in technology. URL Web: https://asikananetwork.org/ Contact person Email: [email protected]

Zambia

1. BongoHive Technology & Innovation Hub

BongoHive is Zambia’s first technology and innovation hub. Established in May 2011 and based in Lusaka, the co-founders, all enthusiastic programmers, sought to address the gaps they experienced working within the local technology industry leading to a lack of coordination, skills exposure, and productivity.

URL

Web: https://bongohive.co.zm/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BongoHive

Contact person

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bongohive

2. Asikana Network

To create a community of confident and capable women through technology.
Asikana Network is an organization that seeks to increase the meaningful participation of women and girls in technology.

URL

Web: https://asikananetwork.org/

Contact person

Email: [email protected]

Namibia
1. Namibia Business Innovation Institute (academic) The Namibia Business Innovation Institute (NBII), formerly known as Namibia Business Innovation Centre (NBIC) was established in 2009 as a Centre of Excellence at the Polytechnic of Namibia with the task of implementing innovation in Namibia. URL Web: http://nbii.nust.na Contact person Phone: +264 61 207 2885 Fax: +264 61 207 2760 Email: [email protected]
2. Fablab (accademic) The FABlab Design and Technology Centre is the first advanced manufacturing, prototyping and design lab in Namibia and the largest FABlab currently within Africa. The lab was established to provide access to new technology, machinery, and design to enhance local product competitiveness. URL Website: http://fablab.nust.na/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fablab.namibia/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCICv-kRCSgojqLEUqGUv8CA Contact person Phone: +264 61 207 2885

Namibia

1. Namibia Business Innovation Institute (academic)

The Namibia Business Innovation Institute (NBII), formerly known as Namibia Business Innovation Centre (NBIC) was established in 2009 as a Centre of Excellence at the Polytechnic of Namibia with the task of implementing innovation in Namibia.

URL

Web: http://nbii.nust.na

Contact person

Phone: +264 61 207 2885
Fax: +264 61 207 2760
Email: [email protected]

2. Fablab (accademic)

The FABlab Design and Technology Centre is the first advanced manufacturing, prototyping and design lab in Namibia and the largest FABlab currently within Africa. The lab was established to provide access to new technology, machinery, and design to enhance local product competitiveness.

URL

Website: http://fablab.nust.na/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fablab.namibia/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCICv-kRCSgojqLEUqGUv8CA

Contact person

Phone: +264 61 207 2885

Botswana
1. Botswana Innovation Hub (government) Defining the future of innovation, located in Gaborone, Botswana, BIH is a Science and Technology Park comprised of some of the world’s leading technology-driven and knowledge-based companies. URL Web: http://www.bih.co.bw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Botswana-Innovation-Hub/737787429594033?ref=hl Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwp-z0CnVALD5bi4d6YdkmQ Contact person Email: [email protected] Tel:+267 391 3328 Fax: +267 391 3289

Botswana

1. Botswana Innovation Hub (government)

Defining the future of innovation, located in Gaborone, Botswana, BIH is a Science and Technology Park comprised of some of the world’s leading technology-driven and knowledge-based companies.

URL

Web: http://www.bih.co.bw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Botswana-Innovation-Hub/737787429594033?ref=hl

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwp-z0CnVALD5bi4d6YdkmQ

Contact person

Email: [email protected]
Tel:+267 391 3328
Fax: +267 391 3289

Angola
1. Kianda hub KiandaHub in Angola is where members of the startup and tech community come together for events, workshops, and networking to share experiences. KiandaHub promotes technological entrepreneurship in Angola URL web: http://kiandahub.com/ Contact person email: [email protected] phone: +244 912200520 / +244 997460995
2. FÁBRICA DE SABÃO Fábrica de Sabão is a hybrid of an incubator and accelerator hub, co-working space and MakerSpace. It is also a cultural connector where creative explorations can thrive. Very soon, it will have its own local radio station and a residency program for visiting mentors and artists. URL Web: http://www.fabricadesabao.co.ao/en/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/FabricaDeSabao/ Contact person Email: [email protected]

Angola

1. Kianda hub

KiandaHub in Angola is where members of the startup and tech community come together for events, workshops, and networking to share experiences. KiandaHub promotes technological entrepreneurship in Angola

URL

web: http://kiandahub.com/

Contact person

email: [email protected]
phone: +244 912200520 / +244 997460995

2. FÁBRICA DE SABÃO

Fábrica de Sabão is a hybrid of an incubator and accelerator hub, co-working space and MakerSpace. It is also a cultural connector where creative explorations can thrive. Very soon, it will have its own local radio station and a residency program for visiting mentors and artists.

URL

Web: http://www.fabricadesabao.co.ao/en/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/FabricaDeSabao/

Contact person

Email: [email protected]

Lesotho
1. The hub The Hub is a creative technology lab that provides affordable access to computers, a library, the internet and digital media training to the community of Morija, Lesotho. In addition to being open for 5 days a week as a resource space, The Hub delivers a range of programs – including skills sessions, motivational talks, digital media workshops and community events. URL Web: https://thehubatmorija.co.ls Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thehubatmorija Contact person Email: [email protected] Phone: +266 58888387

Lesotho

1. The hub

The Hub is a creative technology lab that provides affordable access to computers, a library, the internet and digital media training to the community of Morija, Lesotho. In addition to being open for 5 days a week as a resource space, The Hub delivers a range of programs – including skills sessions, motivational talks, digital media workshops and community events.