Innovation Spaces
Innovation Spaces include MobileSenegal Hub , which was established as a virtual tech hub in 2008 to support training in mobile technology; Jokkolabs which was established as a co-working space in 2010, followed by JokkoFabLab and Jokko Labs Saint-Louis ; CTIC Dakar , which was established in 2011 as a tech hub providing Pre-Incubation and Acceleration Services in West and Central Francophone African countries; and JJiguene Tech Senegal , which was established as the first technology incubator in Senegal for women. Both JokkoLabs and CTIC Dakar are members of AfriLabs.
Established in 2008 with support from Pace University in the US, MobileSenegal (now established as the Mobile4Senegal association) was the first Francophone mobile focused incubator in Africa. MobileSenegal focuses on training mobile developers - to date, over 450 participants have completed boot camps and competitions and developed more than 70 applications. To date, grant funding has been provided through Pace University (Google, NCIIA, IBM), and local companies.
Established in April 2011, CTIC Dakar is primarily focused on supporting high growth potential ICT entrepreneurs with support from the Government of Senegal, the Telecoms regulator, Orange, World Bank, GIZ and the European Union (Centre for the Development of Enterprise - CDE). CTIC Dakar provides hands-on-business development support and coaching for entrepreneurs, as well as training on financial and communication issues, organises events for young entrepreneurs and has also established in six month duration accelerator program for high potential impact startups. 25% of operating costs are contributed by companies supported (through revenue growth sharing), with 30% grant funding, 25% sponsorship and 20% through delivery of business development services. CTIC Dakar is a partner in the WAZIUP Horizon 2020 project focused on IoT.
Established in October 2010, Jokkolabs Dakar is part of a network of six co-working spaces in Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and France. Specifically focused on addressing social needs in Agriculture, Health, Governance and Primary School Education, leveraging open source is part of its culture.
Established by women in 2012, JJiguene Tech Senegal is the first woman's tech Hub in Senegal. It has the objective of encouraging, inspiring and training more women in the tech ecosystem in Senegal through networking, training, mentoring and sharing knowledge. It also aims to increase the number of women in technology and entrepreneurship by encouraging more girls to take STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in school and university. Pre-incubation space is provided, with an emphasis on businesses with high social potential impact. JJiguene Tech Senegal organises monthly meetings, school and university outreach programs, a mentorship program and ICT and entrepreneurial skills training for girls between the ages of 13 - 25.
The ISEG research group at Université Internationale des Diasporas Africaines (UNIDAF) was responsible for establishing the African Living Lab, which focused on developing a network of laboratories across West Africa to promote technology takeup and digital community by youth.
Established in 2011, HubSocial focused on developing social solutions for Senegal and West Africa, and how ICT can be leveraged to address poverty reduction, health and education. While the Indigo Trust found its work interesting, it no longer appears to be active.
The work of the Senegal Chapter of Coders4Africa has helped strengthen the innovation ecosystem through the number of individuals who have been enabled to develop technology. Students have created apps addressing societal challenges in areas including health, agriculture and education.
The innodev incubator at Ecole Superieure Polytechnique, Universite Cheikh Anata DIOP provides office space, equipment and business mentoring. Three FabLabs were set up within the Engineering Schools of ESP, EPT and IPSL in collaboration with the French Embassy. DefKo Ak Niep (Do it with others) is another FabLab in Dakar set up by the NGO @Kerthiossane . This NGO is focused on raising public awareness of new forms of expression and developing beter understanding of culture and digital artistic practices in other areas including education and training.