Digital Entrepreneurship

Internet and mobile technologies are powerful tools for creating high-value jobs and strengthening social inclusion. The Digital Entrepreneurship Program supports the growth of competitive mobile applications industries in emerging and frontier markets. The program is scaling Mobile Application Labs (mLabs)—incubation facilities and innovation hubs for digital entrepreneurs—in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal.

Mobile Application Labs (mLabs)

mLabs are regional incubation facilities for mobile software entrepreneurs that offer physical work spaces, state-of-the-art equipment and testing facilities, business skills training, and access to early-stage finance through investor networks. Explore the map to learn more about mLabs and local innovation hubs (mHubs).

Highlights

mLab offices in Tshwane, near Pretoria, South Africa’s capital. Photo © mLab SA

Article

Evolution of an mLab: Innovating and Iterating to Help South African Entrepreneurs

Khalil Bryan collaborates with his partner, Veronica Millington (Credit: Christoff Griffith)

Article

Caribbean Transit Solutions: Paving the Way for a More Efficient Caribbean Transportation System

Boda boda (motorcycle) delivery drivers wearing branded Sendy jackets. Photo © Sendy

Article

Investors Take Notice as Start-Up Sendy Disrupts Last-Mile Logistics in Kenya

XL Africa entrepreneurs on stage with their mentors and representatives from the World Bank Group and implementing partners. Credit: Jacque Maritz / IMC Worldwide / World Bank Grou

Highlight

Technology Entrepreneurs See Increased Financing with XL Africa

Article

Tanzania: Jamii Is Increasing Digital Inclusion and Making an Impact

Kathmandu, Nepal © Curt Carnemark / World Bank

Article

Transforming Tourism in Nepal, One Trek at a Time

Douglas Adjei receiving weather tip calls from Farmerline

Article

Ghana: Tech Entrepreneur Connects Farmers to Global Supply Chains

Highlight

Creating Digital Markets for Traders in Mozambique

Article

Turning Youth into Developers, and Developers into Entrepreneurs!

South Africa: Start-Up Geekulcha Grows Tech and ‘Geek’ Culture at Colleges

Article

South Africa: Start-Up Geekulcha Grows Tech and ‘Geek’ Culture at Colleges and Beyond

More Highlights

Publications

Internet of Things: The New Government to Business Platform

Sensors in elevators that alert government agencies to public safety risks; data from school bags to keep children safe; garbage trucks with the smarts to save cities money… The Internet of Things (IoT) will change everything. That is the conventional wisdom. We set out to look for evidence...

Read more
Do mLabs Still Make a Difference - A Second Assessment - Full report - Digital Entrepreneurship Program - infoDev 2017
Do mLabs Still Make a Difference?

This report is a follow-up assessment from the 2014 report Do mLabs make a Difference. The report shares key findings on the impact of infoDev’s mobile application labs (mLabs). mLabs were designed as pilot projects in 2011, to provide specialized incubation and acceleration services to digital...

Read more
Business-analytics-toolkit-cover
Business Analytics Toolkit for Tech Hubs

This toolkit was made for managers of tech hubs. Dozens of tech hubs have emerged over the last few years across the globe. Managers of these innovation and entrepreneurship enablers grapple with problems that infoDev has experience with. This toolkit takes lessons that infoDev has gathered...

Read more
Mobile at the Base of the Pyramid

This set of reports assesses existing mobile application (app) business models targeted at, or suitable for, people living at the base of the pyramid (BoP). The reports address specific pain points for app developers and provide practical, actionable advice. Their recommendations are specific to...

Read more
More Publications

Donors

Partners