The University of Lomé has officially launched an innovation and technology hub, inaugurated on Friday, February 28, 2025, by Kanka-Malik Natchaba, the Togolese Minister of Higher Education and Research, alongside Binta Sanneh, the resident representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Togo. This new facility, named UniPod-Togo, has been established with funding exceeding 1 billion FCFA through the UNDP Timbuktoo initiative, marking it as the fourteenth such hub in Africa.
UniPod-Togo serves as a platform for creativity and entrepreneurship, enabling young talents to cultivate their projects and turn their ideas into tangible initiatives. Its mission is to offer Togolese students and entrepreneurs a comprehensive support ecosystem that includes mentoring, training, financing, and networking opportunities.
Situated in the center of the University of Lomé, UniPod spans 1,200 square meters and features eight laboratories, three specialized spaces, an amphitheater, and a technology transfer office. This facility is designed to foster innovation in a landscape where economic and technological challenges necessitate solutions tailored to local contexts and national goals.
See more: Togo Launches a 28 Billion FCFA Initiative to Support Entrepreneurs.
“In a world that is constantly evolving, innovation is essential for addressing both global and national issues. Togo, with its vibrant and entrepreneurial youth, must keep pace,” emphasized Binta Sanneh.
According to Kanka-Malik Natchaba, the Togolese Minister of Higher Education and Research, this initiative aligns with the government’s vision to position higher education as a key driver of innovation and a catalyst for development. UniPod-Togo serves as a mechanism to encourage entrepreneurship and facilitate the rise of startups that can reshape the local economic environment.
