iHub provides a collaborative workspace, training programs, events, and networking opportunities to entrepreneurs. With its vibrant community and start-up support programs, it plays a key role in the development of technology innovation in Africa.

iHub is a technology innovation center based in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 2010 by Ushahidi founders Erik Hersman, Juliana Rotich, and David Kobia, it is a co-working space, startup community, and innovation platform that brings together entrepreneurs, software developers, innovators, and investors interested in developing tech solutions to address key issues in Africa.

With a global network spanning over 40 countries, it is one of the largest technology innovation communities in Africa. The center offers a collaborative work environment, training programs, events, and networking opportunities to its community members. Through its programs, start-ups can benefit from financial support, mentoring, and access to industry experts.

In February 2023, the Innovation Center partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to support education startups. The partnership led to the establishment of a three-year acceleration program targeting 36 edtech startups,  of which 12 have already been selected for the first cohort. 

The programs and events it organized include the Women in Business program that promotes women's entrepreneurship in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Kenya by helping targetted individuals create sustainable businesses. The program also provides training, coaching, funding, and networking opportunities to help beneficiaries overcome entrepreneurial barriers and strengthen their role in Africa's technology innovation.

In addition to Women in Business, iHub also implemented the Maarifa Kona Innovation Labs program from 2017 to 2019. This program supported agritech entrepreneurs from six African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda) in developing their innovative ideas and boosting their entrepreneurial capacities in agriculture.

iHub has a remarkable impact on the African innovation ecosystem and has inspired more than 450 start-ups over the years. It has several international partners such as Facebook, Google, Oracle, Safaricom, the World Bank, and Seacom.

Melchior Koba