The launch of the timbuktoo ManuTech Hub in Addis Ababa by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry aims to provide support to African startups through funding, mentorship, and technical resources.
The hub, set to be completed in early 2025, will host startups from across Africa as part of a program to drive change in the manufacturing sector by integrating technology and fostering partnerships. Selected startups will undergo a three-month accelerator program with training, mentorship, access to technology, and seed grants to enhance their solutions to meet manufacturing needs in the region.
Aligned with Ethiopia’s “Vision 2025” to become a manufacturing hub in Africa, the hub reflects Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s aspirations to boost the country’s manufacturing sector with an 11% projected GDP growth rate annually over the next decade. Despite efforts such as establishing industrial parks and offering incentives, challenges remain in achieving manufacturing goals, including the need for skilled engineers and expertise to compete globally.
The initiative represents a step towards addressing these challenges and advancing Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector.