• Africa expands tech hubs to boost innovation, digital economy growth
• Nairobi, Lagos, Kigali lead with established innovation ecosystems
• New hubs in Morocco, Benin, Guinea signal rising continental competition

Africa is accelerating the development of technology hubs to structure its innovation ecosystems and capture a larger share of the global digital economy. Governments across the continent are investing in dedicated spaces that bring together startups, research centers, universities and large companies, drawing inspiration from leading global tech hubs.

Pioneer hubs already taking shape

Several ecosystems have already emerged as benchmarks. In Nairobi, known as “Silicon Savannah,” innovation is driven by an ecosystem built around fintech and mobile services. The success of M-Pesa has helped make Kenya one of the most advanced markets for digital payments. The Konza Technopolis project, a technology city under development, underscores that ambition, with long-term investment expected to reach several billion dollars.

In Nigeria, Lagos has established itself as the continent’s leading tech hub, capturing a significant share of venture capital flows into Africa. This momentum is supported by dedicated zones such as Itana, formerly Talent City Lagos, and the Ekiti Knowledge Zone. Both are designed to foster innovation and attract technology companies.

Meanwhile, Kigali is also pursuing an active strategy. The Kigali Innovation City project is valued at around $2 billion and covers 70 hectares. It aims to bring universities, research centers and companies into a single integrated ecosystem supported by favorable public policies.

These hubs share common features: a strong concentration of talent, the presence of incubators and accelerators, dedicated infrastructure and growing investor interest.

A new generation of hubs on the rise

Beyond these early leaders, a new wave of projects highlights intensifying competition among African countries.

In Morocco, Casa Tech Valley is expected to launch soon, according to authorities. The project aims to establish a technology hub in Casablanca. It covers 6.5 hectares in the Sidi Othmane district and builds on the existing Casablanca Nearshore ecosystem. It seeks to attract high-value technology investment while creating thousands of jobs.

In Benin, Sèmè City has already emerged as a working model. It combines training, entrepreneurship and research within a single site. By 2030, authorities expect at least 130,000 graduates from the CIIS. Over the same period, the goal is to create more than 100,000 jobs, including at least one-third in self-employment, with 40% of positions held by women.

In Guinea, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Innovation de Guinée, whose construction began in 2024, illustrates the push to build a national technology ecosystem.

Other initiatives are emerging across the continent, including the Diamniadio Digital Technology Park in Senegal and a planned technology village in Gabon. This points to a trend that is now widespread.

A continental strategy centered on infrastructure

According to the International Trade Centre, Africa had more than 1,000 technology hubs in 2024, up from fewer than 600 recorded by the GSMA in 2019. This growth reflects a shift in strategy. Governments are no longer focusing solely on supporting startups. They are now investing in infrastructure that can support full innovation ecosystems.

These hubs enable resource sharing, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and help attract investment over time. They are becoming key tools for sustaining innovation and improving the continent’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Samira Njoya