Nairobi, Monday, 30th September 2024 – A transformative opportunity has been unveiled for African startups as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy (MICDE) have officially launched the call for applications for the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub Accelerator Programme, based at Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart city.

Speaking at the launch of the call for applications, UNDP Kenya’s Resident Representative, Anthony Ngororano, emphasized the initiative’s potential to drive Africa’s green transformation.  “This accelerator programme will provide emerging startups from across all 54 African countries with mentorship, investment and partnership needed to scale high-impact innovations that can address Africa’s urgent energy needs,” said Ngororano.

With millions of Africans still lacking access to affordable and reliable electricity, the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub is designed to support startups developing groundbreaking solutions in renewable energy. The accelerator will help businesses scale technologies that reduce carbon emissions, enhance sustainability, and contribute to long-term economic growth across the continent.

The programme seeks startups working in the following critical areas: Energy Access Technologies, Digital Energy Solutions, Energy Efficiency, Low Carbon Technologies, Smart Grids, Energy Storage, Sustainable Mobility, and Innovative Business Models. Startups selected for the accelerator will receive access to global mentorship, technical support, funding, and valuable connections to a network of international investors.

The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub is part of a broader continent-wide initiative powered by UNDP, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the next decade, the initiative aims to mobilize USD 1 billion to support 10,000 startups, scale over 1,000 of them, and impact 100 million lives across Africa over the next 10 years. The Hub is poised to unlock Africa’s green energy potential by connecting startups to pan-African climate financing opportunities. In addition to capital, participating startups will gain mentorship from global experts, advocacy support, and access to a dynamic investor network.

The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub aims to empower Africa’s youth by harnessing technology and innovation. The Hub will prioritise renewable energy, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and waste management technologies to drive the green industrialization agenda. The accelerator programme is the first offering for the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, which is set to launch later this year.

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Note to Editors:

The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub Accelerator Programme
For more information and how to apply, please visit: https://www.undp.org/kenya/timbuktoo-greentech-hub-accelerator-programme

About timbuktoo GreenTech Hub  
The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub is part of the timbuktoo Initiative, a continent-wide effort to support African startups through sector-specific hubs across Africa. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and powered by UNDP, timbuktoo leverages Africa’s youth, finding them where they are and getting them ready to lead the fourth industrial revolution as a pathway to creating exponential wealth and jobs and thereby impacting communities at scale.

The timbuktoo initiative targets to mobilise and invest USD 1 billion to support 10,000 startups, scale over 1000 of them over 10 years, to impact 100 million livelihoods and create USD 10 billion value on the African continent. The moonshot targets innovation on a pan-African scale through strategically selected “hubs” which will be sector-specific and engage with startups from across the continent. The thematic hubs will act as centres of excellence across Africa to offer world class one stop shop in ecosystem and venture building support (Accra – AgriTech; Kigali – HealthTech; Nairobi – GreenTech; Cairo – TradeTech; Dakar – EdTech; Lusaka – MineTech; Lagos – FinTech; Casablanca – Smart Cities; CapeTown – CreativeTech; and Addis Ababa – Manufacturing Tech). The GreenTech Hub in Kenya is dedicated to driving green industrialization through innovation in renewable energy, green and climate technologies.

For more information, visit: https://www.undp.org/kenya/timbuktoo-greentech-hub

UNDP in Africa 
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports 46 countries across Africa in their efforts to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP focuses on poverty eradication, economic transformation, climate resilience, and governance. In Kenya, UNDP partners with the government and stakeholders to support the country’s Vision 2030 and the SDGs.

For more information, visit: (https://www.undp.org/africa)

About UNDP Kenya
UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been operating in Kenya since 1966.

For more information about UNDP Kenya’s activities and current updates follow our social media platforms:
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Website: https://www.ke.undp.org/content/kenya 

For media enquiries please contact:
UNDP Kenya
Martin Namasaka
Head of Communications, UNDP Kenya
Email: communication.ke@undp.org
Cell: +254 742 512 139

Ngele Ali
Regional Communications Advisor, Africa 
Email: ngele.ali@undp.org  
Tel: +251 9010 00962