Afdb Innovation And Entrepreneurship Lab

Strong and functional enterprise support organizations like incubators, business accelerators and fund managers are key to the success of African entrepreneurs and startups. Focused on improving inclusive economic development and investment in Africa’s youth, the Jobs for Youth in Africa's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab at the African Development Bank works with partners to provide resources and opportunities to African innovators to help grow and scale their businesses with an emphasis on youth and women-led enterprises. Operational since 2018, the Lab has identified, surveyed and characterized more than 1,000 ESOs throughout Africa and was one of the first to respond to the Covid-19 challenges of African countries with the AfricavsVirus Challenge, a 72 hour online hackathon that brought together more than 25,000 people from around the world to co-create solutions in response to pandemic.