Addis Ababa, 23 November 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Industry, in collaboration with the inter-ministerial startup committee, have launched a hub to catalyze innovation and collaboration around manufacturing technology in Africa.

The pan-African timbuktoo ManuTech Hub will be hosted by the Government of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, commonly referred to as the political capital of Africa.

ManuTech resonates with Ethiopia’s ambition to become a light manufacturing hub in Africa which has been demonstrated through investments made to establish several industrial parks.

The Ministry of Industry has committed to providing space for constructing a timbuktoo hub, which is expected to be finalised by early 2025 to welcome the first cohort selected from across Africa.

The ManuTech Hub call for applications was announced during a public consultation on Ethiopia’s startup proclamation.

The hub will provide an enabling environment for innovation and strengthen the business case for African startups that are using technology to source solutions for the continent's manufacturing sector.

Hub participants are selected bi-annually from across Africa through an open and competitive process.

Once on board, the startups will participate in a three-month hybrid acceleration programme that will include boot camps in Addis Ababa, guidance from relevant experts, and the ability to access soft and hard technology to help them refine their proposed solutions for the region’s manufacturing sector.  

The ManuTech Hub programme will also provide seed grants to selected participants of the acceleration programme.

Application details are available on the UNDP Ethiopia website. The deadline for application is 25 December 2025.