Global Techspaces

Africa and the Middle East are buzzing with the sound of collaboration. Hackerspaces, tech hubs, incubators, makerspaces, and accelerators are touting a community and resources to help members shape the future of their businesses—and the world. Whether you want to meet coding partners, design a robot prototype, or network with venture capitalists, there is a techspace for you.

I want to collaborate.

Activspaces Buea, Cameroon

Billing itself as “an open collaboration space, innovation hub, and startup incubator for African techies,” Activspaces has co-working opportunities, events, and even a fellowship program for anyone who wants a glimpse of the Cameroonian tech climate. @activspaces

iHub Nairobi, Kenya

As one of the tech hub titans, iHub boasts a membership of over 11,000. iHub is a mix of an innovation accelerator, a co-working space, a networking organization, and a hacking society. @iHub

[tahrir]² Cairo, Egypt

Tahrir² aims to harness the power of Egypt’s young people by providing them with the resources, co-working space, funding and mentorship they need to launch and grow their entrepreneurial ventures. Tahrir² has an impressive lineup of mentors, including one of its founders, Mohamed Gawdat, VP of emerging markets and emerging businesses at Google. @tahrir_sqr

I want to code.

Random Hacks of Kindness (RHok) Harare, Zimbabwe

Taking on colossal issues like corruption, RHok is an initiative that tackles global problems with open source solutions. Bribery reporting site IPaidABribe.org.zw hosted a RHok hackathon in June 2013 in Zimbabwe aimed at helping attendees create and spread local content while confronting local concerns.

I want to create.

FabLab South Africa

Originating from an MIT project and part of a global network, FabLab helps entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. FabLab provides resources such as industrial-grade digital fabrication tools that enable members to develop prototypes and take their ideas to the next level. @SAFabLAb

Lamba Labs Beirut Hackerspace (LLBH) Beirut, Lebanon

Simply put, Lamba is a community. Members pay a fee to belong and have access to a host of resources including high speed internet, 3D printer, screen printer, and electronic prototyping and development tools. Lamba invites creators at all levels to use its space to explore the realms of tech, art, design and science. @LambaLabs

• More Techspaces in TechWomen Program Countries

Research Resources:
Google for Entrepreneurs, oAfrica, Hubs in Africa, The Guardian, The African Internet, allAfrica, Wikipedia, Wamda, The Next Web