timbuktoo's Joanne Manda on building Africa's innovation engine from within

For Joanne Manda, Global Lead of timbuktoo, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-backed initiative, the recent surge in African investors' participation in venture fund commitments is more than just a statistic, it's evidence of a profound shift in how Africans think about their economies. With African investors accounting for 45% of total venture fund commitments in 2025, up from an average of 23% between 2022 and 2024, according to the African Private Capital Association, Manda sees a continent that's no longer waiting for handouts, but instead, getting its hands dirty and doing the work.

As the "world's largest platform supporting Africa's innovation ecosystem," timbuktoo is at the forefront of this movement. With six pan-African thematic hubs and 16 University Innovation Pods across the continent, the initiative has trained 3,480 innovators, as reported in its Q1 2026 report. But what sets timbuktoo apart is its ambitious goal of operating at scale across 54 countries, a feat that requires navigating the complex and diverse markets, cultures, and languages of each nation. For Manda, this is not just about building an ecosystem, but about fostering a sense of solidarity and cooperation among African nations.

One of the biggest challenges that investors consistently name as a barrier to growth is talent. To address this, timbuktoo is expanding its University Innovation Pods, with 12 more in the pipeline. However, this raises questions about the capital architecture that does not yet fit African markets. Manda acknowledges that the current infrastructure is not conducive to scaling innovation, but she remains optimistic that Africa's technology transformation will not be gradual. Instead, she predicts that it will be a sudden and profound shift, driven by the continent's young, restless, and innovative population.

While everyone's celebrating the rise of African investors and the growth of timbuktoo, let's be honest, this is not just about throwing money at a problem. It's about creating an ecosystem that nurtures innovation, creativity, and capability. For Manda, the narrative of Africa needs to change, and it's changing daily. Africans are taking ownership of their economies, and it's time for the rest of the world to take notice. By building innovation infrastructure at continental scale, timbuktoo is not just creating jobs and driving economic growth, it's building a new wave of African innovation that will reshape the continent and the world.

As timbuktoo continues to expand its reach and impact, one thing is clear, Africa's technology transformation is no longer a distant dream, but a reality that's rapidly unfolding. With its focus on building a pan-African innovation ecosystem, timbuktuoo is not just a platform, but a catalyst for change. As Manda so aptly puts it, "Africans are getting their hands dirty and actually doing the work." It's time for the rest of the world to take notice and join the movement.