Reflections from Cape Town
A report on the Afrilabs Annual Gathering 2024 and Africa Makerspaces Ecosystem 2024 events- December 12, 2024
- 2 min read
“Last month, I had the privilege of visiting Cape Town for the second time to participate in the Afrilabs and Africa Makerspaces Ecosystem Gatherings. The experience was truly eye-opening, and I’ excited to share an overview of my experiences. The event underlined that makerspaces are not just hubs of creativity; they are vital engines for economic growth and champions of local production — benefits that resonate not only across Africa but globally.”— Freda Yamorti Gbande, Fab City Foundation.
Afrilabs Annual Gathering
From November 6th to 8th, 2024, Cape Town, South Africa, became the center of innovation during the Afrilabs Annual Gathering 2024. Under the theme “Uniting Innovation,” this year’s event brought together stakeholders from diverse sectors and countries, celebrating transformational ideas and impactful projects that are contributing to communities in Africa and beyond.
Among the highlights was the debut of the Makerspace Track, an innovative addition to the gathering that captured the essence of maker innovation ecosystems. This initiative is championed by Tochukwu Chukwueke of the Clintonel Innovation Centre, Andrew Lamb of the Internet of Production Alliance, and Alice Dada from the Research & Innovation Systems in Africa.
Afrilabs Annual Gathering (AAG) 2024 Met Gala. Photo credit: Afrilabs
Showcasing Africa’s Hardware Innovation Ecosystem
With 105 participants attending the Makerspace Track sessions — the highest attendance of the gathering — the energy and enthusiasm were contagious. For many, it wasn’t just about learning but about imagining new possible futures for Africa.
Panel discussion during the makerspace track. Photo credit: Afrilabs
Track sessions covered topics such as the mAkE Common Policy Agenda, Right to Repair policy, the Africa Maker Magazine, open contracting system, and sustainable business models for makerspaces and hardware startups. Participants also explored innovative projects like the UNDP UniPods, Bongo Tech’s Sanga Board, and other community-driven solutions making tangible impact.
