Cape Innovation and Technology (CiTi), recognized with its Bandwidth Barn as Africa’s oldest technology incubator, has changed its name to UVU Africa to mark its new pan-African approach.
Founded in 1999, Citigroup Works with government, academia, business and society to promote inclusive growth in the digital economy and has had a significant impact on the development of Cape Town and South Africa’s technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The newly rebranded UVU Africa is expanding and growing its work across the continent with the ambition to impact multiple African countries over the next 20 years, as 200 ecosystem partners, government supporters and funders attended earlier this week An event to celebrate the brand change.
“UVU Africa continues to design and build future-ready, inclusive societies through innovation and technology. We drive inclusive growth in the digital economy through business incubation, skills development, and key programs that foster open innovation and collaboration. Today, we are working across Africa is building the societies of the future,” said Joshin Raghubar, president of UVU Africa.
UVU Africa’s brand vision is to create a strong, modern African brand that reflects the organization’s inclusive values, while being inspiring, ambitious and trustworthy. Brand value is the fundamental belief of UVU Africa. As part of the core of the brand, they serve as a compass that guides the brand’s story, actions and behaviour.
The organization has also launched a new Cape Town Innovation Center and a new 250sqm state-of-the-art biotech laboratory, which will continue to support and grow the local biotech economy and technology and innovation ecosystem.
“Our intervention and influence stretches from Khayelitsha to Kigali and I believe our new brand now reflects our current reach and our aspirations. The involvement of our talented youth in the digital economy is vital for Africa to unlock its true economic potential Important. Our project aims to accelerate digital convergence across Africa,” said UVU Africa Group CEO Ian Merrington.
“Thematic clusters in areas such as biotech and edtech, combined with digital and entrepreneurial skills building, have proven to be successful models for accelerating economic growth and boosting economic participation on the continent. The opening of our new East Africa office in Kigali, Rwanda enables We are able to strengthen and develop our partnerships and collaborations across Africa, and I have no doubt that UVU Africa will be at the center of Africa’s digital economic growth.”
