AfriLabs Begins Leadership Transition Ahead of Next Decade of Growth

By Ugbede James

AfriLabs, Africa’s largest pan-African network of innovation hubs, has commenced a leadership transition process to appoint a new Executive Director, marking a significant moment in the organisation’s evolution and its mission to advance innovation and technology ecosystems across the continent.

The organisation said the transition comes at a time of unprecedented growth and increasing continental and global influence, noting that the appointment of a new Executive Director will be central to shaping AfriLabs’ strategic direction, continental relevance and global impact over the next decade.

According to AfriLabs, the transition is guided by its core values of integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration and shared ownership, and reflects the strength of its governance framework as well as the depth of its community-driven structure.

The announcement also provides an opportunity to recognise the legacy of the outgoing Executive Director, Anna Ekeledo, whose tenure saw AfriLabs transform into the continent’s most expansive and influential innovation network.

Under Ekeledo’s leadership, AfriLabs expanded from just over 40 member hubs to more than 520 innovation hubs across 53 African countries, consolidating its position as the largest pan-African innovation network.

During this period, the organisation strengthened its governance systems and institutional frameworks to enhance long-term sustainability, transparency and accountability.

AfriLabs also broadened its strategic partnerships with governments, development and multilateral institutions, academia and the private sector, while amplifying Africa’s innovation voice on global platforms and establishing itself as a recognised thought leader.

In addition, the organisation launched several flagship programmes, platforms and convenings aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, innovation hubs and ecosystems across the continent. These initiatives helped catalyse startup investment and financing for innovation-driven development, while contributing to policy dialogues that supported the adoption of enabling startup and innovation policies across Africa.

A major milestone of Ekeledo’s tenure was the development of AfriLabs’ long-term “moonshot” vision, which seeks to catalyse a one-trillion-dollar contribution to Africa’s digital economy.

To ensure continuity, AfriLabs disclosed that Ekeledo will continue to support the organisation through its Advisory Council, providing strategic guidance and institutional memory during the transition period.

The process of selecting the next Executive Director is being overseen by a Transition Committee working in close collaboration with the AfriLabs Board. The committee comprises trustees, current and former board members, and community representatives, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to shared leadership, transparency and collective stewardship.

AfriLabs said the Board and the Transition Committee are jointly managing a structured and values-driven process to identify a leader capable of building on the organisation’s strong foundation while advancing its future ambitions.

The organisation emphasised that the transition is deliberately forward-looking, with a focus on deepening continental impact, strengthening global partnerships and influence, championing African innovation on the global stage, and steering AfriLabs towards its long-term ambition of inclusive, innovation-led development across Africa.

The recruitment process for the new Executive Director is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with AfriLabs assuring stakeholders of transparent communication as key milestones are reached.

“This transition represents both continuity and renewal,” the organisation said, noting that it offers an opportunity to honour past achievements while positioning AfriLabs and Africa’s innovation ecosystems for a more ambitious future.

AfriLabs also expressed appreciation to its members, partners and ecosystem leaders for their continued trust and engagement as the organisation prepares to enter a new phase of growth, relevance and impact.