Togo – UniPod: A new innovation hub to boost entrepreneurship and creativity at the University of Lomé
On Friday, February 28, 2025, the University of Lomé inaugurated UniPod-Togo, an innovation and technology hub funded to the tune of over one billion CFA francs by the Timbuktoo initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This project, led by Togo’s Minister of Higher Education and Research, Kanka-Malik Natchaba, and the UNDP Resident Representative in Togo, Binta Sanneh, aims to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation among young Togolese talents.
UniPod-Togo is the fourteenth such hub in Africa. Located at the heart of the University of Lomé, it spans 1,200 square meters and includes eight laboratories, three dedicated spaces, an auditorium, and a technology transfer office. This modern facility is designed to enable students and entrepreneurs to develop their projects and turn their ideas into tangible initiatives.
The hub offers a comprehensive ecosystem that includes mentorship, training, funding, and networking opportunities. It aims to address economic and technological challenges by offering solutions tailored to local realities and national ambitions.
According to Binta Sanneh, UNDP Resident Representative in Togo, innovation is essential to tackling global and national challenges. “Togo, with its dynamic and enterprising youth, must not be left behind in this revolution,” she said. UniPod-Togo thus fits into a broader vision to position the country as an innovation hub in Africa.
Kanka-Malik Natchaba, Minister of Higher Education and Research, emphasized that this project aligns with the government’s desire to make higher education a driver of innovation and a catalyst for development. UniPod-Togo is intended to foster the emergence of startups and contribute to transforming the Togolese economic landscape.
UniPod-Togo aims to be a key mechanism to support the innovation drive in Togo. By providing access to cutting-edge technological resources and a network of experts, it seeks to encourage creativity and entrepreneurship among the youth. This innovation hub is also designed to foster collaborations between universities, businesses, and public institutions.
With the inauguration of UniPod-Togo, the University of Lomé strengthens its role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. Funded by the UNDP, this hub represents a significant opportunity for Togolese youth to position themselves as key players in the country’s economic and technological development. UniPod-Togo thus marks a key step in achieving national ambitions for innovation and sustainable growth.
