Creative Hub Now Opening in Ethiopia

 Press Release

Addis Ababa. The first Creative Hub Ethiopia has been established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Federal Small and Medium Manufacturing Industries Promotion Authority (FeSMMIPA), thanks to a generous contribution from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The Hub is an envisioned platform that offers services and spaces to designers, entrepreneurs, startups, and freelancers to share design knowledge, develop business skills and spread innovation. The Hub will offer a fully equipped digital library, rapid prototyping services like 3D printing, mock-up labs, meeting rooms, a coworking space and a cafeteria. In addition, the facilities have been constructed to host events and conferences.

Creative Hub Ethiopia will be the first of its kind to offer a wide range of services to the creative industry such as: innovation seminars, technical workshops, trainings, lectures, cultural events and networking sessions.

The Creative Hub Ethiopia will support Ethiopian businesses and artisans that are eager to level up their craft with the help of renowned professionals and experts from the creative industry. With a fully equipped venue and state-of-the-art technical tools (such as 3D printers, laser cutters, etc.), the users will be encouraged to use the digital instruments provided with three levels of subscriptions. The Creative Hub Ethiopia also aims to be one of the pioneers of the newly-established mobile payment service “TeleBirr”, promoting a cashless service experience for its users. Following a competitive selection, technical support and a free membership of 6 months will be offered for 50 creatives to develop their projects and ideas.

The space, managed by two trailblazers of the innovative industry; iceaddis, the first startup incubator and African Mosaique – the first fashion-focused incubator in Ethiopia – will bring their expertise that will foster creativity and innovation of creatives and entrepreneurs. This initiative is also expected to boost the local development of the creative industry that has remained unrecognized for a long time.

The hub will be inaugurated on 26 May 2021 at the presence of H.E. Melaku Alebel, Minister of Trade and Industry; H.E. Teka Gebreyesus, State Minister of Trade and Industry; Adanech Abebe, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa; Ato Asfaw Abebe, Director of FeSMMIPA;  Ms. Isabella Lucaferri, Head of Addis Ababa Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Ms. Aurelia Calabrò, UNIDO Representative and Director of the Regional Hub and other delegates.

Creative Hub Ethiopia will be synonyms among other hubs in the world, supporting the ecosystems of the orange economy, fostering interconnectedness and promoting cultural heritage.

May 25, 2021, Addis Ababa