The UNDP and Ethiopia have launched the Timbuktoo ManuTech Hub in Addis Ababa. The initiative serves as a platform to address gaps in expertise, infra
The UNDP and Ethiopia have launched the Timbuktoo ManuTech Hub in Addis Ababa. The initiative serves as a platform to address gaps in expertise, infrastructure, and innovation while leveraging the continent’s growing tech potential.
The Timbuktoo ManuTech Hub aligns with Ethiopia’s Vision 2025, aiming to transform the country into a manufacturing center. By addressing challenges such as limited technical expertise and lack of innovation in existing industrial projects, the hub could catalyze Ethiopia’s ambition to rival global leaders like India and Bangladesh in manufacturing.
This initiative represents a pivotal step for Africa, signaling the continent’s readiness to transition from a resource-based economy to one driven by technology and innovation. The Timbuktoo Hub is not just a local project; it has the potential to be a continent-wide transformation catalyst in tech manufacturing.
Timbuktoo ManuTech Hub
The hub will provide startups with funding, mentorship, and technical resources through a three-month hybrid accelerator program. Startups from across the continent will gain access to seed grants, cutting-edge technology, and tailored training to address Africa’s unique manufacturing needs.
Despite contributing only 2% of global manufacturing, Africa has a rapidly growing tech sector (10% annually). The hub aims to integrate innovation into manufacturing, fostering advanced manufacturing technologies such as AI-driven robotics and sustainable production systems.
Ethiopia’s 18 industrial parks, with a combined investment of $1 billion, will benefit from the hub’s focus on technology-driven growth, addressing gaps in expertise and innovation. By nurturing startups, the hub addresses unemployment and skill gaps, providing African youth with opportunities in high-tech industries.
Manufacturing contributed 6% to Ethiopia’s GDP in 2023. Initiatives like the Timbuktoo Hub could significantly enhance this figure by positioning Ethiopia as a global manufacturing player. The hub’s emphasis on sustainable tech could lead to energy-efficient products and environmentally conscious manufacturing tailored to African markets. By fostering local innovation, the hub is expected to produce solutions that cater to both African and global markets, placing Africa on the map as a tech-manufacturing powerhouse.