UNDP Timbuktoo Mapping Study
Across Africa, entrepreneurs and startups are building solutions that have the potential to transform industries, create jobs, and improve millions of lives. However, many of these innovators face significant challenges - limited access to funding, fragmented support systems, and regulatory hurdles that slow down growth. Recognizing these barriers, the Timbuktoo initiative, launched by UNDP, and AfriLabs as the implementing partner is an ambitious effort to revolutionize the African startup ecosystem by mobilizing $1 billion in catalytic and commercial capital. Timbuktoo aims to impact 100 million lives, create 10 million dignified jobs, and establish a network of thematic hubs across the continent. Each hub focuses on a high-growth sector—from FinTech and AgriTech to HealthTech and Creative Industries—offering entrepreneurs the resources they need to thrive. To lay the foundation for this ambitious vision, a comprehensive mapping exercise was undertaken to identify the key players, challenges, and opportunities in Africa’s startup ecosystem. This research spanned all 54 African countries, providing crucial insights that would shape the strategy of the Timbuktoo initiative. Mapping the Gaps, Unlocking Opportunities Through this exercise, a vast network of innovation hubs, investors, startups, policymakers, and service providers was mapped across the continent. The research uncovered where support structures were strong and where major gaps remained insights that would directly inform how Timbuktoo’s investments and interventions could be most effective. One of the critical findings was the unequal distribution of startup support systems. While certain cities—such as Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Accra—have thriving startup scenes, other regions remain largely underserved. For example, startups in landlocked and rural areas often struggle to access the same level of funding, mentorship, and infrastructure as their counterparts in major urban centers.
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