• Ethiopia, with UNDP support, launched the Timbuktoo Manutech Hub to drive innovation in manufacturing technology.
• The initiative aims to foster startups, create jobs, and position Africa as a leader in tech manufacturing.
• The hub aligns with Ethiopia’s industrial policy and UNDP’s focus on sustainable, tech-driven development in Africa.

Ethiopia’s Visionary Tech Leap

Africa’s tech future just got a major boost, thanks to the launch of the Timbuktoo Manutech Hub in Ethiopia. With support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry, this project aims to develop technology manufacturing in the continent.

The Manutech Hub will serve as a center for innovation, nurturing startups focused on advanced manufacturing and sustainable tech solutions.

“This hub symbolizes Ethiopia’s commitment to becoming a hub for high-tech manufacturing in Africa.”

Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry

Supported by UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative, the hub offers access to cutting-edge facilities, funding opportunities, and a platform for African innovators to create market-ready solutions. 

The launch event emphasized collaboration as a cornerstone, with experts predicting that the hub will shape the future of tech manufacturing in Africa.

Tech Manufacturing Takes Center Stage

This initiative couldn’t have come at a better time. While Africa has become synonymous with innovation, the continent lags in manufacturing technology. Ethiopia, a nation known for its industrial ambition, is bridging that gap.

The hub not only supports local innovation but also creates jobs for thousands of African youth. According to UNDP, Africa’s technology sector is growing at a rate of 10% annually, yet only 2% of global manufacturing occurs on the continent.

“The Timbuktoo initiative is about creating ecosystems where African innovation thrives globally.”

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator

Ethiopia has made strides in industrial policy, with manufacturing contributing 6% to its GDP in 2023. By focusing on startups and tech-driven growth, the country aligns with global trends, ensuring that Africa takes its rightful place on the manufacturing map.

Africa’s Tech Renaissance

What does this mean for the future? In a word: transformation. The Timbuktoo Hub is poised to create ripple effects across Africa, turning the continent into a global player in tech manufacturing.

From AI-driven robotics to eco-friendly production systems, the hub sets the stage for game-changing innovations.

Startups incubated at the hub will create products that meet both local and global demands. For example, the hub’s focus on sustainable tech solutions could lead to energy-efficient products tailored for African markets.By empowering entrepreneurs, the Timbuktoo Hub also helps address challenges like unemployment and skill gaps. In five years, Ethiopia could become a beacon for high-tech solutions made in Africa, for the world.