CcHUB Africa is the biggest Pan African Innovation Enabler with physical offices in Lagos Nigeria, Nairobi Kenya, Kigali Rwanda, and Windhoek Namibia. The Design Lab in Kigali is the research, design, and engineering unit of the umbrella CcHUB brand.
The CcHUB Design Lab, launched on February 14, 2019, by Minister Paula Ingabire, focuses on research and development for social impact. With a multidisciplinary design team, including product designers, engineers, and researchers, the lab collaborates globally to apply technology to address systemic issues in Public Health, Education, and Governance. Beyond product development, the lab supports local entrepreneurship through initiatives like Product Experience Factory, DEV Junction, and STEM CAFE, while also being a technical partner on key innovation projects in Rwanda.
In 2023, the Agriculture, Youth, and Technology (AYuTe) Rwanda Challenge created waves of innovation, uniting young minds in the Agri-tech sector to tackle the hurdles smallholder farmers face. With Heifer International at the helm and Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) providing crucial support as the Technical Partner, the initiative marked a pivotal moment in boosting economic development within Rwanda’s agricultural landscape.
CcHUB’s commitment continued with the Hanga Pitchfest, Rwanda’s premier in-person tech event. Partnering with the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, Rwanda Development Board, and UNDP Rwanda, CcHUB fueled the growth of 70 startups over three editions, offering technical expertise and hosting boot camps to refine their business ideas.
The heartbeat of CcHUB’s impact lies in the Design Lab, a diverse team managing projects across Research, Education, Agritech, and Fintech. The Lab’s umbrella community, “Rwanda Techies,” is a thriving space with sub-communities focusing on developers, women in tech, product design, and collaboration with younger hubs. With 96+ internal programs executed, activating 1500+ members, the Lab continues to drive change through weekly programs like Dev Junction, Female Focus, and the Product Experience Factory, alongside flagship events that leave a lasting impression. Since 2019, the Lab has invested approximately 17 million Rwandan Francs in training and events, championing ecosystem development.
What’s next you ask? The CcHUB Design Lab is gearing up for the next five years and beyond, focusing strategically on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. The emphasis is clear: the responsible harnessing of these technologies, prioritizing data security and privacy. The journey continues, and the future looks brighter than ever with CcHUB leading the charge into a tech-driven era of positive change!”
In honor of CcHUB Design Lab’s big 5, Our Managing Partner, Oluwaseun ADEPOJU had a chat with CNBC Africa which is now making waves. Dive into the excitement by checking out the exclusive interview. But wait, there’s more! The Design Lab Team is shining a spotlight on their journey and unveiling 5 mind-blowing projects via the CcHUB Africa YouTube channel. Don’t miss out – click here to watch the exhilarating showcase of innovation and creativity! #CcHUBDesignLabIs5