Building A Thriving Innovation Economy
THE AFRICA WE WANT
For decades, African innovation has been rooted in the needs of communities. It has been empathetic, aspirational and futuristic, created by innovators who yearn for more for themselves and their communities. These innovators have constantly challenged the status quo working to prove their ability and that of fellow African innovators to build solutions for Africa that the world can use. While innovators continue to push boundaries building the Africa they want and creating the dignified lives that they aspire to for themselves and others, other elements are required that acknowledge the strides innovators have made and work to provide the wind under the sails that innovators need to continue their work at scale. The AfriLabs Strategy for 2021–2031 seeks to ensure that innovators remain at the forefront of conversations and considerations for parties working towards dignified lives for Africans. The strategy is aligned with the aspirations of the entire African continent as articulated in the Africa Union’s, “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”. AfriLabs envisions a moment when all governments across Africa create and implement enabling policies that ensure support of ideas, startups, small businesses, inclusive opportunities, fair taxes and eliminate all barriers to trade. Decent jobs in strong businesses, supported by progessive policies, are not just a
means to an end. Business, policy and infrastructure cannot thrive in isolation, they serve a greater purpose as captured in the African Union’s, seven core aspirations 11 : 1. A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development 2. An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance 3. An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law 4. A peaceful and secure Africa 5. An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics 6. An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children. 7. Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner. AfriLabs Strategy 2021 - 2031 embraces these aspirations as the vision for what Africa can and should be. The innovation and entrepreneurship community across the continent has embraced an open, collaborative, and inclusive approach to problem solving that is particularly well suited to tackle complex, long term, problems that the AU aims to solve.
11 https://au.int/en/agenda2063/aspirations
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