The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Federal Small and Medium Manufacturing Industries Promotion Authority (FeSMMIPA), along with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), launched the Creative Hub Ethiopia.
The first of its kind, the hub is a platform to provide designers, entrepreneurs, startups, and freelancers services and spaces for knowledge sharing, business skills development, and innovation development. Creative Hub Ethiopia aims to help Ethiopian businesses and artisans keen to improve their skills or business by giving them access to a fully equipped space and advanced technical tools (such as 3D printers, laser cutters, etc.). It also provides networking opportunities with distinguished professionals and experts from the creative industry.
The hub intends to be one of the trailblazers to promote cashless service for its users by using the recently created mobile payment service called TeleBirr. It is managed by iceaddis, the first startup incubator, and African Mosaique – the first fashion-focused incubator in Ethiopia, who are two trailblazers of the innovative industry. They will bring their knowledge for creativity and innovation to creatives and entrepreneurs.
The hub aims to stimulate innovation and & development through creativity, digitalization & knowledge sharing through different services like innovation seminars, technical workshops, training, lectures, cultural events, and networking sessions. It has a digital library, rapid prototyping services, mock-up labs, meeting rooms, a co-working space, and a cafeteria. It also has enough space to host events and conferences.
Creative Hub Ethiopia will be similar to hubs worldwide and assist the orange economy ecosystems, encourage connection, and advance cultural heritage.
