Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AEDIB|NET (African-European Digital Innovation Bridge Network)
Reporting period: 2022-08-01 to 2024-04-30
The AEDIB|NET project addresses the gap in digital innovation and economic development between Africa and Europe, aiming to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystems. AEDIB|NET seeks to build a collaborative, inclusive digital ecosystem, connecting digital hubs, start-ups, SMEs, investors, and policymakers to foster technology-driven growth.
This project is crucial for sustainable economic and technological advancement, supporting job creation and solutions for issues like climate-smart agriculture, smart cities, and clean tech. AEDIB|NET’s focus on empowering African digital innovation hubs (DIHs) and fostering African-European partnerships promotes knowledge sharing, strengthening economic ties and supporting a more equitable digital transformation.
The objective of AEDIB|NET is to establish a strong digital ecosystem connecting Africa and Europe. Specifically, it aims to develop supportive innovation policies, establish African Digital Innovation Hubs (ADIHs) as one-stop shops for digital and entrepreneurial support across Africa, facilitate African-European collaboration by fostering partnerships between African and European DIHs, startups, SMEs, investors, and policymakers and builds the capacity in digital and entrepreneurship skills especially for marginalized groups.
This project is crucial for sustainable economic and technological advancement, supporting job creation and solutions for issues like climate-smart agriculture, smart cities, and clean tech. AEDIB|NET’s focus on empowering African digital innovation hubs (DIHs) and fostering African-European partnerships promotes knowledge sharing, strengthening economic ties and supporting a more equitable digital transformation.
The objective of AEDIB|NET is to establish a strong digital ecosystem connecting Africa and Europe. Specifically, it aims to develop supportive innovation policies, establish African Digital Innovation Hubs (ADIHs) as one-stop shops for digital and entrepreneurial support across Africa, facilitate African-European collaboration by fostering partnerships between African and European DIHs, startups, SMEs, investors, and policymakers and builds the capacity in digital and entrepreneurship skills especially for marginalized groups.
Summary of Work Performed and Main Results Achieved
1. Establishment of and Support for Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs)
AEDIB|NET initiated the creation of African Digital Innovation Hubs (ADIHs) to foster digital transformation across Africa. Originally planned to establish three DIHs, the project expanded to support 12 hubs with additional EU funding. These ADIHs operate in Smart Cities, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Clean Technology, and Digital Trade, addressing local challenges and advancing partnerships.
The AEDIB|NET project has significantly enhanced the capacity of digital innovation hubs across Africa. By supporting and establishing 12 DIHs, the project created a network of Hubs that continues to support digital startups and entrepreneurs. These DIHs now serve as regional anchors for digital innovation, with several offering advanced support services such as venture-building programs, digital skills training, and community networking opportunities.
2. Digital and Entrepreneurship Skills (DES) Academy
The DES Academy built digital and entrepreneurial skills, focusing on women and youth. AEDIB|NET developed a comprehensive curriculum that included digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, and leadership. Through hackathons and summer schools in Uganda and Morocco, the academy equipped participants to tackle community-specific challenges. The DES Academy programme was transferred and multiplicated to over 20 other African innovation hubs. This approach has improved inclusion and engagement in digital innovation across different demographic groups, fostering a new generation of skilled entrepreneurs.
3. Development of Ecosystem Mapping and Policy Frameworks
AEDIB|NET conducted ecosystem mapping to identify gaps in African digital landscapes. The skills of government officials on creating a supportive innovation policy framework for the digital age were enhanced, and policy co-creation tools and methodologies for entrepreneurs and policy makers were developed. Trainings to policymakers addressed policy framework challenges and were structured as peer learning workshops.
This contributed to a more conducive environment for digital innovation. Several African countries have adopted or are considering policy frameworks developed through AEDIB|NET’s workshops and policy guidance, showing a direct influence on local digital policy landscapes.
4. Establishment of Virtual Marketplaces and Investor Networks
AEDIB|NET launched a virtual platform to connect African startups with European and African investors. The project selected 12 high-impact startups which received mentorship and exposure to investment opportunities in both African and European markets. The Africa Business Angel Investment Vehicle serves as a cross-continental platform for investment, connecting African entrepreneurs with European and African investors. Over 85 angel investors were trained and engaged through sector-focused networks, and startups received practical support to enhance their investor readiness. These networks are set to continue beyond the project, contributing to sustainable funding flows and partnerships.
Exploitation and Dissemination of Results
1. Dissemination Activities
AEDIB|NET implemented a broad dissemination strategy, including workshops, webinars, and events across Africa and Europe. The project created an online community on AEDIB.vc4a.com for stakeholders, leveraging social media and collaborative platforms to raise awareness. Several thematic webinars and published reports increased visibility of AEDIB|NET’s ecosystem development initiatives.
2. Exploitation Strategy for Sustainability
Key outputs like the DES Academy, investor networks, and virtual marketplace are designed for long-term sustainability. With ongoing support from GIZ, Digital Africa, and Enabel, these resources remain available to African digital hubs, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, sustaining AEDIB|NET’s impact.
3. Future Roadmap and Continuation
Following the results that have been reached by AEDIB|NET, discussions for continued support and expansion of the project’s outcomes are ongoing under the framework of AEDIB 2.0. By building on the foundations laid by AEDIB|NET, the project aims to Strengthen the digital transformation and the green transition between Africa and Europe by enhancing digital entrepreneurship and innovation policies, strengthen the digital innovation ecosystems and improve access to finance for innovative ventures.
1. Establishment of and Support for Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs)
AEDIB|NET initiated the creation of African Digital Innovation Hubs (ADIHs) to foster digital transformation across Africa. Originally planned to establish three DIHs, the project expanded to support 12 hubs with additional EU funding. These ADIHs operate in Smart Cities, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Clean Technology, and Digital Trade, addressing local challenges and advancing partnerships.
The AEDIB|NET project has significantly enhanced the capacity of digital innovation hubs across Africa. By supporting and establishing 12 DIHs, the project created a network of Hubs that continues to support digital startups and entrepreneurs. These DIHs now serve as regional anchors for digital innovation, with several offering advanced support services such as venture-building programs, digital skills training, and community networking opportunities.
2. Digital and Entrepreneurship Skills (DES) Academy
The DES Academy built digital and entrepreneurial skills, focusing on women and youth. AEDIB|NET developed a comprehensive curriculum that included digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, and leadership. Through hackathons and summer schools in Uganda and Morocco, the academy equipped participants to tackle community-specific challenges. The DES Academy programme was transferred and multiplicated to over 20 other African innovation hubs. This approach has improved inclusion and engagement in digital innovation across different demographic groups, fostering a new generation of skilled entrepreneurs.
3. Development of Ecosystem Mapping and Policy Frameworks
AEDIB|NET conducted ecosystem mapping to identify gaps in African digital landscapes. The skills of government officials on creating a supportive innovation policy framework for the digital age were enhanced, and policy co-creation tools and methodologies for entrepreneurs and policy makers were developed. Trainings to policymakers addressed policy framework challenges and were structured as peer learning workshops.
This contributed to a more conducive environment for digital innovation. Several African countries have adopted or are considering policy frameworks developed through AEDIB|NET’s workshops and policy guidance, showing a direct influence on local digital policy landscapes.
4. Establishment of Virtual Marketplaces and Investor Networks
AEDIB|NET launched a virtual platform to connect African startups with European and African investors. The project selected 12 high-impact startups which received mentorship and exposure to investment opportunities in both African and European markets. The Africa Business Angel Investment Vehicle serves as a cross-continental platform for investment, connecting African entrepreneurs with European and African investors. Over 85 angel investors were trained and engaged through sector-focused networks, and startups received practical support to enhance their investor readiness. These networks are set to continue beyond the project, contributing to sustainable funding flows and partnerships.
Exploitation and Dissemination of Results
1. Dissemination Activities
AEDIB|NET implemented a broad dissemination strategy, including workshops, webinars, and events across Africa and Europe. The project created an online community on AEDIB.vc4a.com for stakeholders, leveraging social media and collaborative platforms to raise awareness. Several thematic webinars and published reports increased visibility of AEDIB|NET’s ecosystem development initiatives.
2. Exploitation Strategy for Sustainability
Key outputs like the DES Academy, investor networks, and virtual marketplace are designed for long-term sustainability. With ongoing support from GIZ, Digital Africa, and Enabel, these resources remain available to African digital hubs, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, sustaining AEDIB|NET’s impact.
3. Future Roadmap and Continuation
Following the results that have been reached by AEDIB|NET, discussions for continued support and expansion of the project’s outcomes are ongoing under the framework of AEDIB 2.0. By building on the foundations laid by AEDIB|NET, the project aims to Strengthen the digital transformation and the green transition between Africa and Europe by enhancing digital entrepreneurship and innovation policies, strengthen the digital innovation ecosystems and improve access to finance for innovative ventures.
AEDIB|NET has advanced the digital innovation landscape in Africa by establishing a pan-African network of 12 Digital Innovation Hubs. By adopting a collaborative and cross-country approach, these DIHs go beyond standalone initiatives establishing a continent-wide support system for African start-ups and SMEs.
The DES Academy, tailored to marginalized groups, combines digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills, increasing employability and fostering economic inclusion, especially for women and youth. The DES Academy programme was transferred and multiplicated to over 20 other African innovation hubs.
AEDIB|NET set up thematic early-stage investor networks. This provides a structured platform for angel investors from Africa and the diaspora to collectively support and nurture promising startups in the region.In the policy domain, AEDIB|NET introduced innovative co-creation methods to enhance policy frameworks supporting digital innovation.
Expected results include fully operational DIHs providing comprehensive support, expanded reach of the DES Academy, and self-sustaining investor networks enhancing African-European ties. AEDIB|NET’s policy initiatives are expected to catalyze further policy adaptation and knowledge transfer across African countries leading to more streamlined, innovation-friendly regulatory environments. AEDIB|NET’s societal impact is broad: it fosters job creation, promotes inclusivity, empowers marginalized communities, and supports sustainable innovations in clean tech and climate-smart solutions. The project strengthens cross-continental digital infrastructure, bridging Africa and Europe for a resilient, inclusive digital economy.
The DES Academy, tailored to marginalized groups, combines digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills, increasing employability and fostering economic inclusion, especially for women and youth. The DES Academy programme was transferred and multiplicated to over 20 other African innovation hubs.
AEDIB|NET set up thematic early-stage investor networks. This provides a structured platform for angel investors from Africa and the diaspora to collectively support and nurture promising startups in the region.In the policy domain, AEDIB|NET introduced innovative co-creation methods to enhance policy frameworks supporting digital innovation.
Expected results include fully operational DIHs providing comprehensive support, expanded reach of the DES Academy, and self-sustaining investor networks enhancing African-European ties. AEDIB|NET’s policy initiatives are expected to catalyze further policy adaptation and knowledge transfer across African countries leading to more streamlined, innovation-friendly regulatory environments. AEDIB|NET’s societal impact is broad: it fosters job creation, promotes inclusivity, empowers marginalized communities, and supports sustainable innovations in clean tech and climate-smart solutions. The project strengthens cross-continental digital infrastructure, bridging Africa and Europe for a resilient, inclusive digital economy.