By Caroline Ameh
AfriLabs, Africa’s largest pan-African network of innovation hubs, has officially begun the process of appointing its next Executive Director, marking a pivotal moment in the organisation’s growth and its mission to advance innovation and technology ecosystems across the continent.
The leadership transition comes at a time of unprecedented expansion and increasing global recognition. AfriLabs notes that the new Executive Director will play a key role in shaping the organisation’s strategic direction, strengthening its continental relevance, and enhancing its global impact over the next decade.
Guided by its core values of integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration, and shared ownership, AfriLabs says the transition underscores the strength of its governance structure and its community-driven model.
The announcement also celebrates the legacy of outgoing Executive Director Anna Ekeledo, whose tenure transformed AfriLabs into the continent’s largest and most influential innovation network. Under her leadership, AfriLabs expanded from just over 40 member hubs to more than 520 innovation hubs across 53 African countries.
During this period, the organisation strengthened governance systems, improved institutional frameworks, and fostered long-term sustainability, transparency, and accountability. It also expanded strategic partnerships with governments, development agencies, academia, the private sector, and multilateral institutions, while amplifying Africa’s innovation voice on the global stage.
AfriLabs launched flagship programmes and platforms that empower entrepreneurs, innovation hubs, and ecosystems, catalysed investment in startups, and contributed to policy dialogues shaping enabling environments for innovation across Africa. A major milestone of Ekeledo’s tenure was the development of AfriLabs’ long-term “moonshot” a bold vision to contribute one trillion dollars to Africa’s digital economy.
To ensure continuity, Anna Ekeledo will continue to support AfriLabs through its Advisory Council, providing strategic guidance and institutional knowledge during the transition.
The selection of the next Executive Director is being managed by a Transition Committee in collaboration with the AfriLabs Board. The committee comprises trustees, current and former board members, and community representatives, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to shared leadership, transparency, and collective stewardship.
AfriLabs emphasises that the transition process is structured, values-driven, and forward-looking, aiming to deepen continental impact, strengthen global partnerships, elevate African innovation on the world stage, and advance inclusive, innovation-led development across Africa.
The recruitment process for the new Executive Director will begin in the coming weeks, with AfriLabs pledging transparent communication at every key milestone.
“This transition represents both continuity and renewal. It is an opportunity to honour what has been built while positioning AfriLabs and Africa’s innovation ecosystems for an even more ambitious future,” the organisation said.
AfriLabs thanked its members, partners, and ecosystem leaders for their continued trust and engagement as it prepares to enter a new phase of growth, relevance, and impact.
