timbuktoo ManuTech Hub 2025 for African manufacturing startups

The timbuktoo ManuTech Hub is the first African platform dedicated to African manufacturing startups. Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the hub delivers hybrid world?class resources, mentorship, labs, and equity?free funding to help founders build scalable, tech?driven solutions that upgrade the continent’s manufacturing landscape.  

The hub is launching its second call of the year to recruit promising startups that are working on technologies, tools and processes that enhance efficiency, quality, and productivity in manufacturing. The ManuTech Hub is also looking for innovative manufacturing that uses new and groundbreaking ways of production, processing and manufacturing.

The ManuTech Hub will host a hybrid bootcamp, incubation and acceleration program in 2025 and early 2026, both in person in Addis Ababa and virtually.

• Table of Content
• About United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
• timbuktoo ManuTech Hub
• Aim and Benefits of timbuktoo ManuTech Hub
• Requirements for timbuktoo ManuTech Hub Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for timbuktoo ManuTech Hub
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all ... continue reading

timbuktoo ManuTech Hub

Aim and Benefits of timbuktoo ManuTech Hub

• ManuTech Hub offers fully sponsored, hands-on training designed around the real needs of African manufacturing startups.
• Seasoned industry mentors guide product refinement, market strategy, and cross?border expansion.
• Each business can unlock equity?free funding capital that lets you grow without giving up ownership.

Requirements for timbuktoo ManuTech Hub Qualification

The call is open to technology-focused (manufacturing and manufacturing technology) startup founders across Africa aged between 18 and 35, who are building tech-based startups in ManuTech and manufacturing that meet the following criteria:

• Technology-enabled solution: Your startup must have a technology-enabled solution at its core, utilizing digital tools and platforms to drive innovation and efficiency in the manufacturing sector
• Innovation and uniqueness: Novel approach to solving manufacturing challenges, potential for disruptive impact in the manufacturing sector.
• Technical feasibility: Sound technical basis for the solution, realistic development timeline.
• Scalability: Startups should demonstrate high potential for growth and investment, with a clear business model, proven market traction, openness to mentorship, and the ability to scale rapidly through digital or multi-market distribution.”

Interview date, Process and Venue for timbuktoo ManuTech Hub

Startups in the following areas are highly encouraged to apply, although the application is not limited to this list:

Manufacturing technologies: Startups that are working on manufacturing execution systems, robotics and automation, machine health monitoring, maintenance management systems and industrial internet-of-things.  

Manufacturing: Technology enabled and innovative manufacturing in priority sectors i.e. agro-processing, food and beverage, textile and apparel and leather good manufacturing.

Note: Applications are not restricted to the four sectors mentioned above and is open to promising ventures from other industries as well.

Programme Timeline:

• Application and Selection Process: May 2025 – 01 July 2025
• Bootcamp: August 2025  
• Incubation & Acceleration: September 2025 – December 2025 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit UNDP webpage