Pioneering Progress: UNDP Accelerator Labs and AfriLabs Unite for African Innovation Policy Advancement
A significant collaboration aimed at bolstering Africa’s innovation landscape and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was formally announced on October 29, 2021. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs and AfriLabs, two pivotal entities within the African innovation ecosystem, have joined forces. This strategic partnership seeks to harness the deep local knowledge of innovators across the continent, directly addressing critical gaps in achieving the global development agenda.
A Strategic Partnership for African Innovation
The formal announcement of this groundbreaking alliance took place during a hybrid event, hosted by AfriLabs as part of its 2021 Annual Gathering. The occasion saw key figures from both organizations convene both in-person and virtually. From the ImpactCove Hub in Abuja, Nigeria, Anna Ekeledo, AfriLabs Executive Director, and William Tsuma, Senior Advisor and UNDP Nigeria Accelerator Lab Focal Point, attended the live proceedings. They were joined remotely by Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, and Gina Lucarelli, UNDP Accelerator Labs Team Leader, underscoring the continental and global significance of the collaboration.
This partnership is strategically designed to leverage the established networks and expertise of both UNDP Accelerator Labs and AfriLabs. The core objective is to tap into the vast potential of grassroots innovation and local solutions to confront Africa’s most pressing development challenges. The urgency of this mission is highlighted by the current pace of SDG achievement on the continent; as of the partnership’s announcement, Africa was only on track for Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Concerningly, progress had regressed on other vital targets, including Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By fostering a robust innovation policy environment, the collaboration aims to ensure that localized solutions can be effectively scaled and integrated into broader development strategies, thereby bridging the existing gaps in SDG attainment.
The alliance between UNDP Accelerator Labs and AfriLabs marks a crucial step forward for African innovation, emphasizing a collaborative approach to policy development and implementation. By empowering local innovators and integrating their insights into the broader framework of sustainable development, this partnership holds immense promise for accelerating Africa’s journey towards achieving the SDGs and fostering a more resilient and prosperous future for the continent.
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