Sanaga Peregrinations

Via Fast Company " Erik Hersman, director of operations at the non-profit Ushahidi, today announced the launch of a network of startup incubators and tech communities throughout Africa. Dubbing the new venture Afrilabs, the network is meant to connect a thriving scene of tech entrepreneurs involved in such outfits as iHub in Kenya, Hive Colab in Uganda, ActivSpaces in Cameroon , Nailab in Kenya , and Banta Labs in Senegal . In addition to integrating incubators throughout the continent, Hersman and his colleagues are also in the process of starting an investment fund for seed capital investments "that are accessible to startups that come through the different labs," Hersman tells Fast Company ." A great initiative that shouldn't go unnoticed. This is the first collaboration of tech incubators on the continent, as far as I recall. It would help connect the actors (investors and innovators included) of the African technology community. more on this here .

The latest post from Bill Gates on The Economist 's blog dedicated to Africa, Baobab explains the vision of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the tremendous work they are carrying out in Africa to solve some of its biggest challenges regarding the eradication of malaria, AIDS and the reduction of poverty and hunger through a better usage of the farmland on the continent. The view from Seattle gives a good snapshot of the they are doing is stunning and humbling at once. Let's hope, many more follow their example. Excerpt: "Since our first visit, many African countries have made striking advances, driven by wise government investments in health and education and agriculture. Incomes have risen.  Poverty has fallen. Trade and investment have doubled. Childhood deaths are down. Africa is on the rise. When a country has the skill and self-confidence to take action against its biggest problems, it makes outsiders eager to be a part of it. That is why Melinda and I ...