Alan Winde
Photo by: Duane Daws
Talks are under way to establish a network of technology incubators across Africa, Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde said on Wednesday.
Following a recent Western Cape Government-led delegation to Nigeria and Ghana to present an ‘African Incubation Partnership’ strategy, angel investors and technology incubators from those countries were set to sign the final African Incubation Partnership agreement.
The Western Cape Government’s African Incubation Partnership, developed in conjunction with professional services firm PwC and the Bandwidth Barn, aimed to link incubators across the continent, delivering a boost for local technology entrepreneurs.
The partnership would increase market access for information and communication technology (ICT) entrepreneurs and stimulate skills transfer between the sectors in different countries.
“When travelling to partner regions, entrepreneurs will be able to access services at the local incubator, as well as valuable networking opportunities,” Winde said in a statement.
The Bandwidth Barn, a “centre for ICT innovation”, had created 2 500 jobs and contributed R800-million to the Western Cape economy since its establishment.
“I want to see a Bandwidth Barn in every African country,” Winde stated.
With ICT being one of the province’s priority sectors, employing 30 000 people and contributing R3-billion to the Western Cape’s gross domestic product, Winde believed the new partnership would strengthen the “broadband hub for Africa” brand and create a gateway for South African start-ups to sell their ideas to the rest of the continent.