The Evolution of Tech Hubs and Co-Working Spaces in Nigeria
One minute you're sharing desks, next you're sharing dreams!! 💫 ✨
Helloooo, Dear Innovator 👋
The air smells cleaner when it’s the last day of August and you know that you’ve been doing good work all month long. Don’t you agree?
(Just say yes jor… You and your conscience can hash it out later 👀😅)
Anywaysssss….
Welcome to the weekend, Tech Builder 😇😇 AND the end of the third quarter of 2024!
To make your 24-hour transition into a new dispensation a little easier (yeah, you can call it that), we’ve packed a full punch for you down below. Like always 💯. While you’re here:
You might be reminded about why you got into tech in the first place.
You might get some ideas that’ll finally change your mind about some things (Yetunde, not to single you out or anything, but that pivot is long overdue 👀 ).
Or you might see how other builders move and operate outside of your bubble.
Whatever the case may be, we’ll consider it a job well-done if September (and the rest of the year) just hates to see you coming 🫡. Can you do that?
If you’ll also like to continue the conversation, leave a comment down below. Thankkkkssss 😇😇
Ideas And Shared Spaces: How Tech Hubs Laid the Foundation
In Nigeria’s early tech days, if you wanted to see a huge gathering of people, hunched over their various keyboards and screens, the place to go was a public cyber café; It was the only way to get access to a computer and the internet, if you weren’t in the office.
Since personal work stations and laptops have become a thing, a lot people have also outgrown its use. Buuuut not everything from that era has become totally obsolete.
↵ Enter: Tech hubs and Co-working spaces 🚀
The journey of tech hubs in Nigeria began in 2011 with the Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) in Yaba, Lagos1. This wasn’t just a new workspace; it was a game-changer for innovation in Nigeria. Situated in Yaba—now known as Nigeria’s "Silicon Valley"—CcHub quickly became a hotspot for tech enthusiasts, developers, and entrepreneurs eager to tackle African challenges 🌍
CcHub didn’t just provide a place to work; it offered mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding. It set a high bar for what a tech hub could be. This success inspired the rise of more tech hubs across Nigeria, each bringing something unique to the table. They sprang up in busy cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt
As tech hubs flourished, the need for flexible, affordable workspaces also grew. Unlike traditional offices, co-working spaces are designed to be adaptable and affordable while promoting collaboration. They cater to startups 💼, freelancers, and remote teams who need a professional environment without the high costs of traditional offices
One of the pioneers in this space is Venia Business Hub, which opened its doors in 2011. Venia was one of the first co-working spaces in Lagos and quickly became a hub for startups in need of a dynamic and cost-effective workspace. Following in its footsteps, other co-working spaces like Workstation and Leadspace emerged, each offering unique amenities and environments tailored to different needs within the tech community.
The rise of co-working spaces in Nigeria has been nothing short of phenomenal. Between 2017 and 2020, the number of co-working spaces in Nigeria grew by 200%2. This growth was fuelled by the increasing number of startups, the rise of remote work, and the desire for flexibility that these spaces offer.
For tech innovators, like you, co-working spaces are not just about saving on rent; they are about joining a community where ideas flow freely, and collaboration happens organically. It might be where you meet your next co-founder, your first investor, or a mentor who can guide you through the complexities of building and scaling a tech solution. These spaces are designed to break down the silos that often stifle creativity, allowing you to tap into a network 🌐 of like-minded individuals who are all working towards similar goals.
Tech hubs and co-working spaces have played a pivotal role in the growth of several emerging startups and tech solutions in Nigeria. One of them is Shuttlers.
Founded in 2016, Shuttlers is a transportation tech company that offers scheduled ride-sharing services to professionals in Lagos. The platform allows users to book and pay for rides via a mobile app, focusing on providing a more convenient and cost-effective commuting solution. Shuttlers benefited significantly from its involvement with The Nest Innovation Hub. The collaborative environment created by the hub enabled Shuttlers to refine its business model, leading to successful funding rounds and rapid scaling
Since its inception, Shuttlers has expanded its operations, attracting significant investments and forming partnerships with corporate clients🚀
What About Other African Tech Hubs?
Nigeria’s tech hubs and co-working spaces have made significant strides, but how do they compare with those in other leading African countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt? 🗺️ Let’s take a closer look:
Kenya is home to one of Africa’s most vibrant tech ecosystems, and they include tech hubs like iHub and Nailab. While Nigeria has a larger population and a growing number of tech hubs, Kenya’s hubs are often more specialised, focusing on specific sectors like agriculture and financial technology.
Additionally, Kenya’s government has been more proactive in supporting tech hubs through initiatives like the Konza Technopolis, a smart city project aimed at boosting innovation🌟
South Africa’s tech hubs are concentrated in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, with hubs like Workshop17 and The Innovation Hub leading the charge. The country’s tech ecosystem is diverse, with a focus on fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce. South Africa’s tech hubs tend to be more established, with a longer history and a more structured approach to supporting startups.
Emerging Trends In This Space 🌐
Some of the trends that have emerged for tech hubs include:
Niche-specific Hubs 🌐
AgriHub Nigeria: Founded in 2016, AgriHub Nigeria focuses on innovation in agriculture. It supports startups with resources, expertise, and networking opportunities specifically aimed at transforming the agricultural sector. 🚜🌱
Remote and Hybrid Work Models 🏡💻
Workstyle: A hybrid co-working space provider that started expanding in 2016, Workstyle offers both physical and virtual memberships. Their model caters to the growing need for flexible work arrangements post-pandemic. 🌍
For some people, a tech hub or co-working space is only a place where you can get uninterrupted power supply, get internet access (not usually, sha) and get cracking till you have to leave. They do this because the condition of the country has made it necessary.
For some others, it’s more than that. It’s a space where ideas aren't just discussed but transformed into real, exciting innovations; A place where traditional work barriers disappear, making room for creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship; A place where founding team members meet, bond over shared interests, and take on the world together from there
Dear Innovator, based on situational one and two, if you need to 😉, ride on this old (but golden) method of connecting and networking and see where it leads— if it leads anywhere.
Btw, what plans do you have for the 4th quarter of 2024? 😇