UNDP-led initiative aims to accelerate startups transforming the manufacturing sector
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (BG) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry and the inter-ministerial startup committee, has launched the pan-African ManuTech Hub in the capital Addis Ababa to catalyze innovation in manufacturing technology across Africa.
Dubbed timbuktoo ManuTech, the initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s vision to become a light manufacturing hub, UNDP Ethiopia announced in a statement on Saturday.
The government has supported this goal by investing in industrial parks and committing space for the hub’s construction. The facility is set to open in early 2025, welcoming its first cohort of startups selected from across the continent.
The hub will provide a nurturing environment for African startups that leverage technology to solve challenges in the manufacturing sector. Participants will undergo a three-month hybrid acceleration program featuring in-person boot camps in Addis Ababa and virtual sessions.
The program will offer mentorship from industry experts, access to cutting-edge technology, and seed grants to help startups refine and scale their solutions.
“ManuTech represents an opportunity for African startups to lead in the fourth industrial revolution, shaping the future of manufacturing through smart technologies and data-driven solutions,” UNDP Ethiopia stated.
The hub’s call for applications was announced during a public consultation on Ethiopia’s startup proclamation. Interested startups can apply via the UNDP Ethiopia website by December 25, 2024.
This collaboration highlights Ethiopia’s commitment to fostering innovation and creating scalable, continent-wide solutions for Africa’s manufacturing sector. As the ManuTech Hub comes to life, it is set to transform how African startups drive economic growth and industrial progress.
