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The first African Innovation Hub Convention has culminated in 90 innovation hubs from the continent endorsing the African Innovation Policy Manifesto.

The convention took place this week at Impact Hub Kigali in Rwanda on the sidelines of the Transform Africa Summit.

In an email to Ventureburn today (10 May) i4 Policy‘s Bankole Oluwafemi described the convention as a success.

‘The 90 innovation hubs that have endorsed the African Innovation Policy Manifesto represent more than 450 000 innovators across 32 countries’

The manifesto was created by a group of 48 ecosystem leaders from 25 African countries who then circulated it to their peers.

“The critical outcome being the co-creation and endorsement of the African Innovation Policy Manifesto by 90 innovation hubs representing more than 450 000 innovators across 32 countries,” said Oluwafemi.

The policy manifesto focuses on seven key areas, namely; education, research and development, digital infrastructure, public multidisciplinary spaces, business registration, finance for innovation and entrepreneurship, local and regional markets, and taxation systems.

The key recommendations of the manifesto include:

• Easing of mobility for Africans travelling around the continent
• Adoption of the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms
• Simplification of the regulatory environment, particularly around starting and closing a business, paying of taxes and a reduction of fines
• Redesigning of education curricula to emphasise critical thinking and digital skills
• Increased investment in research and development to accelerate indigenous innovation