"We identify the needs of these innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups and find viable solutions." - Omone Tessy Okolo

Omone Tessy Okolo Esq. is the People Management Lead at AfriLabs. A pan-African, innovation-centric organisation that supports over 400 innovation hubs across 52 African countries, alongside other stakeholders. The primary objective is to nurture successful startups and visionary entrepreneurs who leverage groundbreaking technologies to address African challenges with innovative solutions.

Q: What support mechanisms are in place for the growth and development of entrepreneurs and start-ups who leverage ground-breaking technologies to address African Innovations?

TESSY: AfriLabs is uniquely positioned to support the best of our resources and reach the entrepreneurs and startups in our ecosystem ready to address African problems. Our dream is to have all African solutions to the challenges we face across all regions, by Africans. How do we do this? We identify the needs of these innovators, entrepreneurs and startups and find viable solutions to help them thrive beyond their expectations and goals. Over the years we have developed some initiatives to create and sustain an enabling and thriving environment.

Access to Funding: Through various programmes and initiatives AfriLabs has ensured it has supported innovators across Africa with direct and indirect access to funds in different sectors, in the past year AfriLabs through over 20 projects has supported innovators and startups with access to $2.5million through over 300 hubs and 450+ startups. Through Catalytic Africa, a matching fund initiative from Angel investors in the ABAN (Africa Business Angel Network) network to startups under the AfriLabs hub network has successfully Invested € 1,155,794 by local angel investors in innovation hub-affiliated startups.

Networking and Partnerships: AfriLabs provides opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs to connect with other like-minded individuals, industry experts, and potential partners through a series of virtual and physical events such as workshops and the AfriLabs Annual Gathering. This year the Gathering was held in Kigali with almost 1000 participants. Also, we have the AfriLabs Connect a social platform that allows for interactions, learning and forging new partnerships.

Training, Learning and Development: AfriLabs has an interactive learning platform called the AfriLabs Academy, where different modules are taught to anyone ready to learn, this training is free, and after successfully completing a module and passing the exams, a certificate is issued this is in partnership with an African university.

Q: As a people management lead, please share three strategies you have deployed to ensure the organisation’s culture, thrives.

TESSY: Mental Wellness: We live in very interesting times, balancing work and our personal lives can be overwhelming so I implemented the Mental wellness package for employees, through the help of a mental wellness agency, they provide every team member therapy sessions, we have workshops lined up and monthly meditation session.

Employee engagement: I started the cadre listening tour, to better understand the challenges and needs of the team at their level, this was done without the presence of their manager and management. It was really insightful.

Reinforce values: At recruitment and onboarding, AfiLabs values are emphasized with new recruits to enable us to keep the purpose and soul of the organisation running. Also, we like to align ourselves with people who have or share similar values to the organisation, so then it is easier to be productive and innovative in your role and position.

Her Network: What’s the most exciting aspect of your job and why?

TESSY: Growing up I have always wanted to help people in whatever form it was, and that was why I studied Law. However, law practice was not giving me the satisfaction I needed. I was at the bank some years ago, and I met a boy begging to withdraw his money from his account he didn’t have his withdrawal booklet, and the bank refused to attend to him without him paying for the new booklet, he said the money in the account was the exact money for his project in school. I finished my business and was about to leave, but he was still begging, then I gave him the money for the booklet, about 1000 naira, and walked away, he followed to tank me profusely it was almost embarrassing, I saw the relief in his eyes and gratitude.

In my role as the People Management Lead at AfriLabs, the most exciting part of my job is seeing I genuinely helped someone overcome their struggles, seeing I came up with an initiative that would better help or support the team, which gives me comfort!