Innovation Spaces - Ethiopia

Bahir-Dar ICT Business Incubation Center was established in November 2009 in Amhara Regional State in North-Western Ethiopia to support recent graduate ICT entrepreneurs. It provides office space, capacity building and advisory services. The longer-term objective is to develop BICT BIC into a sustainable technology park of over 11,000m2. The BIC provides co-working space with Internet access and advisory services focused on around marketing, entrepreneurship and financial management. Funding by the regional government, the facilities are used by startups as well as final year students doing internships.

iceaddis was established in Lideeta and Kazachise, Addis Ababa (hosted by Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building, Construction and City Development (EiABC) and downtown) during 2014 to provide pre-incubation and Incubation support for technology graduates, final year students, professionals and entrepreneurs. iceaddis provides pre-incubation and incubation services, with an emphasis on ICT and green tech. A 12 week business plan training programme is delivered several times a year, with winners securing incubation space. While a social enterprise, most income generated goes to community support. Iceaddis is a member of icehubs and AfricaLabs. Challenges include limited Internet bandwidth and financial support.

EiABC also hosts a FabLab next door. FabLab Addis is being hosted by Addis Ababa University.

xHUB Innovative Society provides co-working space, training and research collaboration and networking opportunities with potential funders, with a particular interest in rural development.

Addis Ethiopia Climate Innovation Center (ECIC) is supported by InfoDev and targets entrepreneurs developing climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. The SNNPRS ICT Business Incubation Center (SICT-BIC) was established in Hawassa city in 2011. Mekelle Information Communication Technology Business Incubation Centre (MICT-BIC) was established in 2008 in Mekelle City.

The blueMoon Incubator supports youth led innovative, scalable businesses in the agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors. Supported companies are located in the Addis Garage multi-purpose space in Addis Ababa.

The Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) is a parastatal organisation supported by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Established in 2013, the programme aims to identify growth-oriented enterprises, potential entrepreneurs (including unemployed youth and women) and provide support and training.