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Kickstarting businesses and development in !!!emerging!!! markets

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The lot programme

Find out how sustainable and profitable business models are created in lab of tomorrow programme and where you can get involved.

Development challenge
A local development challenge with business potential is the starting point of any lab of tomorrow programme.
Understand local needs
Unmet needs of the local population and business opportunities are discovered.
Ideate solutions
Products and services that tackle unmet needs are co-created by interdisciplinary teams.
Incubate business
Market-ready products and services are developed through the newly established joint ventures.
Sustainable business
Impact-driven ventures owned and driven by the private sector.

News and stories

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News and stories

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Invest

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Join a process

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How it works

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How it works

Ventures

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The lab of tomorrow

An unique tool for customized business solutions.

The mission of the lab of tomorrow (lot) process is to turn business opportunities in developing countries into profitable businesses. We are convinced that only viable businesses will have a long-term impact on sustainable development.

More Info

  1. The lot drives business
    We bring access to new markets, local expertise and business opportunities in developing countries
  2. The lot builds relevant networks
    We match businesses, non-profits and political decision makers from the EU and developing countries to co-create and co-own products
  3. The lot creates social impact
    The new products and services contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Our track record

The lab of tomorrow has been the programme of choice by GIZ projects, the Austrian and the Swiss Development Agencies as well as companies to solve specific development challenges all over the world.

22
Running & completed programmes
438
Companies participated
52
Promising Concepts
24
Ventures preparing market entry
15
Businesses active in the market
Siemens
Fopo–Bayer
TÜV Rheinland
Tui
Merck
Boehringer Ingelheim
Bayer
SAP
Roche
Africa Works
DHL
ibes

Your opportunities

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Develop 
your business 
in emerging markets

Solve your development
challenge


Initiate a lab of
tomorrow process to:

  • Generate innovative and viable business solutions addressing a challenge.
  • Join forces with actors from the EU and local emerging markets, from the private sector but also politics and science.
  • Profit from their expertise, access to markets & technologies as well as available resources.

Develop 
your business 
in emerging markets

Solve your development
challenge


Initiate a lab of
tomorrow process to:

  • Generate innovative and viable business solutions addressing a challenge.
  • Join forces with actors from the EU and local emerging markets, from the private sector but also politics and science.

Invest in solutions and support innovations

Solve your development
challenge


Initiate a lab of
tomorrow process to:

  • Generate innovative and viable business solutions addressing a challenge.

How it works

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How it works

Any questions?

Become a partner or mentor

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Ready to create impact?

Toolkit

Conducting your own lab of tomorrow process and needing the right tools?

The toolkit supports you in conducting your own lab of tomorrow process by giving you all the materials you need.

Currently running challenges

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Delivery | E-commerce | Sustainability
LOT
22

Greening and advancing e-commerce in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda

This challenge is in phase: Incubate business

How might we offer reliable, affordable and sustainable delivery solutions for MSMEs and e-commerce platforms to enhance customer experience in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda?

The e-commerce sector has witnessed tremendous growth over the last years. Despite positive effects on the economic development of Africa, the uptake in e-commerce also bears the risk of negatively impacting the environment. This presents a challenge at the intersection of digital trade and the green economic transformation. Advancing this transformation requires tailor-made solutions which can be provided by the private sector. 

Co-Initiators

Partners

01

Understand

Carbon emissions resulting from reverse logistics and last mile delivery are rising as popularity in e-commerce increases globally. The emergence of a more environmentally conscious consumer presents a unique opportunity that offers lucrative business solutions that not only mitigate  environmental effects but also solve societal problems in an effective way.​

E-commerce has been growing steadily in Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria over the past few years, driven by factors such as increasing internet penetration, mobile phone usage, and a growing middle class. Each country has its own unique e-commerce landscape, challenges, and opportunities. Kenya has been one of the leaders in East Africa's e-commerce market. The country's well-developed mobile money infrastructure has played a significant role in stimulating online transactions. In fact, high taxation of fossil fuels creates an opening for the adoption of greener and more affordable solutions for last mile delivery. Rwanda's e-commerce landscape is growing steadily, although it may be somewhat smaller compared to other African countries. The government has increasingly taken steps to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship. However, as in many African countries, Rwanda grapples with challenges in building trust among consumers, improving logistics and delivery systems, and expanding internet. Ghana's e-commerce market has seen significant growth in recent years, with the emergence of various e-commerce platforms. The government has shown interest in supporting the digital economy, and efforts have been made to improve the country's digital infrastructure. Nigeria has one of the most developed e-commerce markets in Africa. The country has a large population and a growing middle class, both of which are driving e-commerce growth. The country however faces challenges such as logistics, payment infrastructure, and consumer trust, but the market is dynamic and evolving.

Business Opportunities

02

Ideate Solutions

25
Participants
25
Companies
4
Ideas developed
4
Proven Business Models

03

Incubate business

4 ventures successfully entered the Incubation Phase.
Tizaa

Tizaa is an e-commerce platform that uses offline mobile (USSD) and web technologies to get commerce closer to people in remote and hard to reach areas in Ghana. The solution also has a positive ecological and social impact, as it utilizes eco-friendly packaging and delivers with e-bikes

Go-Go App

This green ERP logistic solution consists of an innovative app that connects service providers (e-commerce companies, shops and logistics companies) with freelancers who are ready to deliver. The result is a streamlined solution for efficient order distribution across Rwanda. 

Hive

Hive is a software platform that helps MSMEs optimize last-mile delivery costs, delays and tracking issues by using a smart logistics aggregation and routing system in Nigeria. This solution provides several USPs for logistic companies, like demand aggregation increased reached and digitalization, as well as to vendors and individual shoppers, like flexible pricing and product tracking. 

Pweza

Pweza is a unified, cost-effective, secure and eco-friendly logistics platform for MSMEs in Kenya. This is accomplished by bringing together key logistics partners to help reduce the cost of logistics by leveraging on their network of fulfillment centers and e-mobility infrastructure. 

Delivery | E-commerce | Sustainability
LOT
22

Greening and advancing e-commerce in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda

This challenge is in phase: Incubate business

How might we offer reliable, affordable and sustainable delivery solutions for MSMEs and e-commerce platforms to enhance customer experience in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda?

The e-commerce sector has witnessed tremendous growth over the last years. Despite positive effects on the economic development of Africa, the uptake in e-commerce also bears the risk of negatively impacting the environment. This presents a challenge at the intersection of digital trade and the green economic transformation. Advancing this transformation requires tailor-made solutions which can be provided by the private sector. 

Co-Initiators

Partners

01

Understand

Carbon emissions resulting from reverse logistics and last mile delivery are rising as popularity in e-commerce increases globally. The emergence of a more environmentally conscious consumer presents a unique opportunity that offers lucrative business solutions that not only mitigate  environmental effects but also solve societal problems in an effective way.​

E-commerce has been growing steadily in Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria over the past few years, driven by factors such as increasing internet penetration, mobile phone usage, and a growing middle class. Each country has its own unique e-commerce landscape, challenges, and opportunities. Kenya has been one of the leaders in East Africa's e-commerce market. The country's well-developed mobile money infrastructure has played a significant role in stimulating online transactions. In fact, high taxation of fossil fuels creates an opening for the adoption of greener and more affordable solutions for last mile delivery. Rwanda's e-commerce landscape is growing steadily, although it may be somewhat smaller compared to other African countries. The government has increasingly taken steps to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship. However, as in many African countries, Rwanda grapples with challenges in building trust among consumers, improving logistics and delivery systems, and expanding internet. Ghana's e-commerce market has seen significant growth in recent years, with the emergence of various e-commerce platforms. The government has shown interest in supporting the digital economy, and efforts have been made to improve the country's digital infrastructure. Nigeria has one of the most developed e-commerce markets in Africa. The country has a large population and a growing middle class, both of which are driving e-commerce growth. The country however faces challenges such as logistics, payment infrastructure, and consumer trust, but the market is dynamic and evolving.

Business Opportunities

02

Ideate Solutions

25
Participants
25
Companies
4
Ideas developed
4
Proven Business Models

03

Incubate business

4 ventures successfully entered the Incubation Phase.
Tizaa

Tizaa is an e-commerce platform that uses offline mobile (USSD) and web technologies to get commerce closer to people in remote and hard to reach areas in Ghana. The solution also has a positive ecological and social impact, as it utilizes eco-friendly packaging and delivers with e-bikes

Go-Go App

This green ERP logistic solution consists of an innovative app that connects service providers (e-commerce companies, shops and logistics companies) with freelancers who are ready to deliver. The result is a streamlined solution for efficient order distribution across Rwanda. 

Hive

Hive is a software platform that helps MSMEs optimize last-mile delivery costs, delays and tracking issues by using a smart logistics aggregation and routing system in Nigeria. This solution provides several USPs for logistic companies, like demand aggregation increased reached and digitalization, as well as to vendors and individual shoppers, like flexible pricing and product tracking. 

Pweza

Pweza is a unified, cost-effective, secure and eco-friendly logistics platform for MSMEs in Kenya. This is accomplished by bringing together key logistics partners to help reduce the cost of logistics by leveraging on their network of fulfillment centers and e-mobility infrastructure. 

Delivery | E-commerce | Sustainability
LOT
22

Greening and advancing e-commerce in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda

This challenge is in phase: Incubate business

How might we offer reliable, affordable and sustainable delivery solutions for MSMEs and e-commerce platforms to enhance customer experience in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda?

The e-commerce sector has witnessed tremendous growth over the last years. Despite positive effects on the economic development of Africa, the uptake in e-commerce also bears the risk of negatively impacting the environment. This presents a challenge at the intersection of digital trade and the green economic transformation. Advancing this transformation requires tailor-made solutions which can be provided by the private sector. 

Co-Initiators

Partners

01

Understand

Carbon emissions resulting from reverse logistics and last mile delivery are rising as popularity in e-commerce increases globally. The emergence of a more environmentally conscious consumer presents a unique opportunity that offers lucrative business solutions that not only mitigate  environmental effects but also solve societal problems in an effective way.​

E-commerce has been growing steadily in Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria over the past few years, driven by factors such as increasing internet penetration, mobile phone usage, and a growing middle class. Each country has its own unique e-commerce landscape, challenges, and opportunities. Kenya has been one of the leaders in East Africa's e-commerce market. The country's well-developed mobile money infrastructure has played a significant role in stimulating online transactions. In fact, high taxation of fossil fuels creates an opening for the adoption of greener and more affordable solutions for last mile delivery. Rwanda's e-commerce landscape is growing steadily, although it may be somewhat smaller compared to other African countries. The government has increasingly taken steps to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship. However, as in many African countries, Rwanda grapples with challenges in building trust among consumers, improving logistics and delivery systems, and expanding internet. Ghana's e-commerce market has seen significant growth in recent years, with the emergence of various e-commerce platforms. The government has shown interest in supporting the digital economy, and efforts have been made to improve the country's digital infrastructure. Nigeria has one of the most developed e-commerce markets in Africa. The country has a large population and a growing middle class, both of which are driving e-commerce growth. The country however faces challenges such as logistics, payment infrastructure, and consumer trust, but the market is dynamic and evolving.

Business Opportunities

02

Ideate Solutions

25
Participants
25
Companies
4
Ideas developed
4
Proven Business Models

03

Incubate business

4 ventures successfully entered the Incubation Phase.
Tizaa

Tizaa is an e-commerce platform that uses offline mobile (USSD) and web technologies to get commerce closer to people in remote and hard to reach areas in Ghana. The solution also has a positive ecological and social impact, as it utilizes eco-friendly packaging and delivers with e-bikes

Go-Go App

This green ERP logistic solution consists of an innovative app that connects service providers (e-commerce companies, shops and logistics companies) with freelancers who are ready to deliver. The result is a streamlined solution for efficient order distribution across Rwanda. 

Hive

Hive is a software platform that helps MSMEs optimize last-mile delivery costs, delays and tracking issues by using a smart logistics aggregation and routing system in Nigeria. This solution provides several USPs for logistic companies, like demand aggregation increased reached and digitalization, as well as to vendors and individual shoppers, like flexible pricing and product tracking. 

Pweza

Pweza is a unified, cost-effective, secure and eco-friendly logistics platform for MSMEs in Kenya. This is accomplished by bringing together key logistics partners to help reduce the cost of logistics by leveraging on their network of fulfillment centers and e-mobility infrastructure. 

Challenge in spotlight

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LOT
22
delivery | e-commerce | sustainability

Greening and advancing e-commerce in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda

How might we offer reliable, affordable and sustainable delivery solutions for MSMEs and e-commerce platforms to enhance customer experience in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda?