AfriLabs is a network of 19 technology hubs in 13 African countries. Members recently met to discuss community building, open innovation, regional collaboration, and creating new hubs.

The AfriLabs Twitter account emerged from a hiatus to share updates from its first annual meeting and subsequent presentations at the re:publica conference in Berlin. Needless to say, the future of Africa’s innovation ecosystem is bright.

12 thought-provoking Tweets on African innovation from @AfriLabs:

Not always the mainstream or the obvious

“Innovation comes from the edges…innovators are found in the margins.”#afrilabs #rp13 @whiteafrican

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 6, 2013

 
Hard to quantify, for now…

Innovation is happening in Africa, but it’s not well-measured. #rp13 #afrilabs

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 6, 2013

 
Worth repeating

Local problems need local solutions. #rp13 #afrlabs

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 6, 2013

 
African markets set the bar high

If it works in Africa, it will work anywhere. #rp13 #afrilabs

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 6, 2013

 
Internet access is limited by lack of public-private partnerships

Fast Internet isn’t the problem. Access due to corruption is. Entrepreneurs are responding by creating their own solutions. #rp13

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 6, 2013

 
Change your perception

Get some #africa on your tv, mobile, timeline newsfeed, etc. Get educated. #rp13 @afrinnovator @markkagiwa

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 7, 2013

 
Entrepreneurship empowers

Never too late for someone’s life to change. @rlabs community members go from underworld activity to university. #afrilabs #rp13

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 8, 2013

 
Think outside the app

Apps are not a panacea for social ills on Africa. #rp13 #afrilabs

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 8, 2013

 
One is electricity

There are still major infrastructure gaps that need to be filled in order for tech to be truly effective. #rp13 #afrilabs

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 8, 2013

 
Hardware

Not enough just to do software. It’s also important to make things. #rp13 @whiteafrican

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 8, 2013

 
Be realistic

Let’s solve the local problems first; but we can support others working to serve international markets in the future. @whiteafrican #rp13

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 8, 2013

 
The role of tech hubs

Hubs should search out community needs, combine critical thinking, and bring together diverse stakeholders. #rp13 #afrilabs @whiteafrican

— AfriLabs (@AfriLabs) May 8, 2013