UNDP launches Accelerator Lab to support innovation, solutions in Nigeria

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially launched the Accelerator Lab to help catalyze local solutions to some of the most complex development challenges in Nigeria.

The UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa, explained that the Accelerator Lab is the solution for inclusive and accelerated development.

“The speed, dynamism and complexity of challenges, like climate change, poverty, insecurity, and rising inequalities, that Nigeria continues to face requires a new way of thinking, as well as a radical shift in the way that solutions are developed and deployed.

“The Accelerator Lab presents an opportunity for the innovation ecosystem within the country to re-imagine a new future, while leveraging local solutions for inclusive and accelerated development.  

“We are seeing a different narrative in Nigeria, which is the face of remarkable innovation, cutting edge development ideas, and an excitement about the future.”

Ms. Eziakonwa added that; “The Accelerator Lab will help innovators across the country look at challenges through the lens of opportunity and develop the true potential of this country’s innovation and ingenuity, it also offers the Nigerian innovation ecosystema platform to develop human centered solutions, at the speed and scale required by the needs of the region and help close the gap between the current practices of international development in an accelerated pace of change.”

According to the UNDP, the complexities of development in the 21st century means the UNDP must play a role in finding faster and more sustainable solutions to transform the world.

The Accelerator Lab which was unveiled in Lagos State South-West Nigeria was funded by the German Cooperation, the Italian Government and the Qatar Development Foundation, to serve as a facilitator to help connect grassroot innovators and policy makers

It also helps to identify development problems that would be solved together with local and national partners by offering support in the areas of solutions mapping, testing, experimenting, and more.

Launched globally by the UNDP in 2018, a worldwide network of 90 Accelerator Labs serving 78 countries have been established to re-imagine development for the 21st century.

The Accelerator Labs globally works to build the world’s largest and fastest learning network to reach Agenda 2030 and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

PIAK