Nairobi, Kenya — July 18, 2025 — AfriLabs, the continent’s largest network of innovation hubs, has entered into a landmark partnership with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) to drive digital transformation at scale across Africa. The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aligns 52 ATU member states with AfriLabs’ growing network of over 500 hubs in 53 African countries — creating a united front to fast-track inclusive innovation, empower local talent, and unlock new economic opportunities.
The partnership arrives at a critical time. While Africa’s internet economy is projected to reach $712 billion by 2050, only 38% of the population was online in 2024, the lowest global internet penetration rate according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The new MoU aims to close this gap by connecting the innovation ecosystem with policy and infrastructure.
“Our entrepreneurs have the ideas and resilience,” said John Omo, Secretary General of ATU. “But they continue to face fragmented regulations and low visibility. This collaboration with AfriLabs provides the framework to shift that — allowing innovators to focus on solving real problems, not navigating red tape.”
The agreement leverages growing momentum: by 2030, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to account for nearly 25% of all new mobile internet users, with 247 million 5G connections anticipated. AfriLabs and ATU plan to ensure this connectivity wave translates into real digital opportunity through tailored, scalable African solutions.
Together, the organizations will co-promote innovation through signature programs like the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge and AfriLabs’ capacity-building initiatives, which offer mentorship, training, and visibility for groundbreaking startups. These efforts will be integrated across both networks, amplifying impact continent-wide.
“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s digital story,” said Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs. “By combining our innovation network with ATU’s policy reach, we are laying the groundwork for an Africa where every entrepreneur — no matter where they live — can transform bold ideas into scalable solutions. Together, we’ll remove barriers, nurture talent, and ensure Africa’s tech breakthroughs thrive globally.”
A key pillar of the partnership is the joint development of an Intellectual Property (IP) protection and commercialization framework tailored to African innovators. Both ATU and AfriLabs will advocate for stronger IP rights and work closely with policymakers to shape a more enabling regulatory environment for startups and digital entrepreneurs.
The MoU was officially signed at ATU’s headquarters in Nairobi, as part of a broader push aligned with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), which aims to achieve 80% internet penetration by 2030.
About the African Telecommunications Union (ATU)
The ATU is the specialized agency of the African Union for Telecommunications/ICTs and serves as the regional telecommunications organization for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Africa. With 52 member states and 56 associate members, ATU’s mission is to foster digital transformation and secure Africa’s position in global tech leadership.
About AfriLabs
AfriLabs is the largest pan-African network of innovation and technology hubs, supporting over 500 hubs in 53 countries. It empowers communities through strategic partnerships, capacity building, funding access, and policy advocacy. AfriLabs drives collaboration across governments, the private sector, academia, and development partners to accelerate inclusive innovation, digital transformation, and economic growth.
