Co-creation Hub says it planned to invest $13m in its new design lab that aims to solve Africa’s systemic problems in public health, education, governance and the private sector through the application of emerging technologies.
According to a statement by the tech company, this will be achieved through collaboration between CcHUB’s product designers and engineers as well as scientists and stakeholders globally.
The company said the new lab, located in Kigali, Rwanda, would enable CcHUB to focus on accelerating the application of social capital and technology for economic prosperity and expand its physical presence to another African country, for the first time in its eight-year history.
The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda, Paula Ingabire, who launched the new lab, said, “CcHUB’s expansion into Kigali, marked with the launch of the design lab today, is an exciting landmark for Rwanda’s burgeoning tech community. Rwanda is keen on collaborating with world-class partners to establish ourselves as a leading destination that nurtures innovation-driven enterprises.
“We see technology as an integral gateway and means of developing society – an ethos and mission shared by CcHUB. As we strive to become a knowledge-based economy, we will continue to build long-lasting, strategic partnerships that celebrate excellence, forge ahead with progress and that are, essentially, a force for good that will impact thousands of people across the continent.”
Speaking on the launch of the Design Lab, the CcHUB’s co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ‘Bosun Tijani, said, “We’ve been building tech businesses alongside African entrepreneurs for almost a decade and in that time, we’ve identified a common challenge that businesses face when it comes to sustainable growth – design and innovation. With the CcHUB Design lab, we will be collaborating with organisations that may not have the capacity to design, build and innovate as quick as leaner start-ups would.
“The lab will also build on CcHUB’s extensive global and pan-African network of partners, research institutes and governmental organisations to execute practical design projects that will solve some of our social and business challenges at scale.
“Whilst our work from the lab will focus on the entire continent, we chose Rwanda as the country to operate from because of the ease of doing business in the country. Additionally, by collaborating with the Government of Rwanda, whose vision aligns with ours, we hope to find solutions that will enable socio-economic development, productivity and development across Africa.”
At the unveiling of the lab, the tech firm announced the Rwanda Biomedical Centre as its first local company to partner with, joining the likes of Go-Ga Lab, Nimcure and Safe Online.
In the area of public health, CcHUB said it would focus on digital epidemiology and utilise technology to accelerate the adoption of locally-created solutions for better detection and surveillance of diseases, and improve adherence to treatment.
Using design and innovation, the company pledged to improve students’ interests, participation and learning outcomes in STEM education, and help the government promote participatory governance, transparency and more effective public services for social and economic prosperity.
(PUNCH)