In today’s fast-evolving world, hands-on experience is often the key to success, and for many young innovators, access to practical knowledge is invaluable.

Fiston Irakiza, a tailor, is one of the many entrepreneurs who has found such access at the UniPod, a collaborative space that is reshaping how innovation and entrepreneurship are nurtured in Rwanda. "UniPod gave us access to a workshop where we could conduct hands-on practice and research on projects at no cost,” said Irakiza, whose career has been transformed.

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Irakiza credits UniPod with teaching him to use advanced cutting-edge machines and design software, tools that have allowed him to innovate in ways that were previously unimaginable in the textile industry. This practical training has not only upgraded his skills but also given him the confidence to explore new possibilities in tailoring.

Additionally, as a UniPod member, Irakiza was awarded a scholarship to pursue a diploma through the Fabric Academy program, which he considers a major milestone in his career.

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But what exactly is the UniPod, and how is it making an impact? Located at the University of Rwanda’s Nyarugenge Campus, UniPod is much more than a maker space—it is a beacon of research, innovation, and collaboration.

The initiative, launched on November 10, 2023, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) , the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the University of Rwanda is designed to be a one-stop resource for knowledge-sharing and technological support. It offers students, academia, researchers and local communities access to co-working space and different technology labs which include green tech, agritech and food tech, design, prototyping, electronic, studio, and virtual reality labs, working together to guide innovators from research to commercial application.

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Through joint research opportunities, new technology development, training programs, and awareness campaigns around technology commercialization, UniPod is laying the groundwork for Rwanda’s future as a hub of innovation.

Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, Resident Representative of UNDP Rwanda, sees UniPod as a critical tool for Africa’s role in the global knowledge economy. "UniPod is building a future where innovation and opportunity converge,” she says.

The initiative’s partnership with Rwanda’s Incubation and Acceleration Facility for the Wood Sector, for example, is helping over 140 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and young creators develop new skills in wood manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

This collaboration reflects UniPod’s broader mission to support young innovators, with a monthly storytelling event, dubbed the Youth Café, implemented in partnership with the UNDP, the Ministry of Youth and Arts (MOYA) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, under their joint youth program, Aguka, funded by the European Union Delegation in Rwanda. This space is a platform for young people to explore solutions to Rwanda’s most pressing challenges, from agriculture to the circular economy.

Beyond its support for local entrepreneurs, the UniPod is also committed to advancing gender equality in the innovation space. The center recently hosted the National Women in Engineering and Technology celebrations, where women and young girls used microcontroller boards to create IoT solutions in agriculture and health.

In addition, the UniPod is in talks with manufacturers like Raspberry Pi and ARM to launch a women-focused IoT and robotics program. These initiatives are just a glimpse of what the UniPod has in store for the future, as it continues to empower the next generation of female innovators and entrepreneurs.

Maurice Rwamigabo, Head of Exploration at UNDP Rwanda, emphasizes that UniPod is a crucial launchpad for innovation, where students from all fields can collaborate in fully equipped labs. "Our goal is to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs who will tackle Africa’s challenges head-on,” says Rwamigabo.

With its state-of-the-art facilities, mentorship programs, and collaborative atmosphere, UniPod is helping students turn their ideas into reality, whether it’s developing a groundbreaking product or starting a new business.

UniPod is not only a national success story but also part of a wider regional initiative. Backed by the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, UniPod is helping to establish a pan-African network of innovation hubs.

timbuktoo, a collaboration between UNDP, African governments, and the private sector, aims to become the largest initiative supporting Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Already, it is setting up UniPods in 13 cities across the continent, providing young innovators with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to bring their ideas to life. The UniPod at the University of Rwanda is a shining example of this vision, offering a model for innovation and collaboration that can be replicated across the continent.

In addition to its local and regional impact, timbuktoo is launching specialized thematic hubs in fields such as FinTech, EdTech, AgriTech, MineTech, ManuTech, GreenTech, CreativesTech and HealthTech. So far, the FinTech and HealthTech hubs have opened in Lagos and Kigali respectively.

These hubs will serve as centers of excellence, where entrepreneurs can access the resources, they need to build successful ventures. Furthermore, timbuktoo plans to offer early-stage risk capital through a fund based at the Kigali International Financial Centre, helping to fuel the growth of Africa’s emerging businesses.