By John Churu, Gaborone, Botswana
Once again the Botswana Innovation Hub has been mandated to create an environment that supports start-ups and existing companies and institutions to develop and grow competitive technology-driven and knowledge-based businesses in a Science and Technology Park. The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) and the Government of Botswana through the Botswana Innovation Hub joined together to host the 5th Edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa on the 16th June 2016 in Gaborone. The event featured a national and Africa level innovations showcase.
As one of its mandates, the AIF works towards, “increasing the prosperity of Africans by catalyzing the innovation spirit in Africa.” The organization’s flagship programme, the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) is Africa’s premier competition based annual initiative that promotes and rewards groundbreaking innovations which address real challenges on the continent’s societal needs.
The Botswana Innovation Hub and the African Innovation Foundation have since identified synergies to foster innovation and creativity in Africa with emphasis on Botswana. It is on this basis that Botswana Innovation Hub and AIF will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the 13th February 2017 during the official opening of the inaugural ABM University College Entrepreneurship Conference.
In light of this development, Botswana Innovation Hub will participate in the ABM University College Entrepreneurship Conference which will be held at the new ABM Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Gaphatshwa. The Centre will be officially opened by Her Excellency, The High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya Jean Kimani with an address by the Minister of Tertiary Education Research Science and Technology Hon. Dr Alfred Madigele. Botswana Innovation Hub identifies strong linkages with ABM University in this endeavor to support creativity and innovation among the youth and entrepreneurs with potential for employment creation. The ABM University College Entrepreneurship Club is a critical component of enabling the national innovation ecosystem.
