African-based tech hubs obtain funding

International development agency Hivos, together with the DOEN Foundation and The Indigo Trust, have just announced a new fund to support technology hubs in Africa with the specific aim of empowering more sustainable entrepreneurship.

The first year’s disbursement amounts to €373,000 (US$505,000) and will be split amongst four African-based tech hubs that will use the money to fund themselves as well as seed fund various projects, and program management costs.

At present, Hivos currently supports several tech hubs on the continent including Hive Colab (Uganda), Bongo Hive (Zambia), RLabs (South Africa), iSpace (Ghana), Jozi Hub (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Hypercube Hub (Zimbabwe), but the organization has not yet stated which, if any, of these hubs will be the recipients of grants.

According to Hivos program manager Tambudzai Madzimure, the agency has observed that that tech hubs are a great place for young entrepreneurs, programmers and techies to come together and develop solutions for some of the pressing challenges in their respective communities. Evidence of this abounds in all parts of the continent that these hubs are located.

This fund will hopefully nurture initiatives that are on the ground.

Source: htxt.africa