The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ethiopia's Ministry of Industry have jointly launched the timbuktoo ManuTech Hub in Addis Ababa, aiming to support African startups with funding, mentorship, and technical resources. This initiative is part of Ethiopia's efforts to become a manufacturing centre in Africa, as outlined in the country's "Vision 2025" plan.

The hub, set to be completed in early 2025, will provide a space for startups to develop and refine their solutions, with the goal of driving change in the manufacturing sector through technology integration and partnerships. The Ministry of Industry will provide the physical space for the hub, which will welcome its first cohort of startups from around Africa. A call for applications was announced at a public consultation of Ethiopia's startup proclamation, and participants will be selected bi-annually from across Africa.

Selected startups will participate in a three-month hybrid accelerator program, which includes training, mentorship, access to technology, and guidance to refine their solutions to meet the region's manufacturing demands. Additionally, the hub will provide seed grants to the selected startups, further supporting their growth and development.

Ethiopia's "Vision 2025" plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019, aims to transform the country's manufacturing sector, projecting an unprecedented GDP growth rate of 11% per year over the next decade. To achieve this goal, the country has established 18 industrial parks, investing $1 billion and offering incentives such as low wages and standardized energy costs to attract industries.

However, despite these efforts, the industrial parks have underperformed, preventing the country from achieving its manufacturing goals, according to a 2023 report by UNDP. One of the major challenges facing Ethiopia's manufacturing sector is the lack of skilled engineers and technical and managerial expertise gaps, which hinder the country's ability to compete with global manufacturing giants such as India and Bangladesh.

The launch of the timbuktoo ManuTech Hub marks a significant step towards addressing these challenges and supporting African startups in the manufacturing sector. By providing access to funding, mentorship, and technical resources, the hub aims to empower startups to develop innovative solutions that can drive growth and transformation in the region.

As the African startup ecosystem continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like the timbuktoo ManuTech Hub are crucial in supporting entrepreneurs and startups in their journey to success. With its focus on manufacturing and technology integration, the hub has the potential to make a significant impact on the region's economic development and competitiveness.