Arts & Sports
The Innovation Hub: A Center for Creativity and Progress
Sona Berhane
https://shabait.com/2025/04/09/the-inno ... -progress/
Apr 9, 2025
The Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, widely referred to simply as the Innovation Hub, stands at the forefront of nurturing technological and inventive talent among Eritrean youth. Established in 2023, it represents a structured and systematic approach to fostering innovation beyond previous efforts, primarily event-based and lacking a sustained, long-term strategy. With a clear focus on grassroots development, the Innovation Hub aims to equip young minds with the technical skills and problem-solving abilities necessary to contribute meaningfully to the country’s future.
The Hub’s most recent achievement was the successful hosting of a national science and innovation fair, which took place on March 21–22 at the headquarters of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS) within the premises of the Junior Club. This event allowed young inventors, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their work, engage with stakeholders, and gain recognition for their contributions. The fair marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time all six Eritrea regions fully participated. A similar fair was held the previous year at Medeber, but only Zoba Maekel, Zoba Anseba, and Zoba Debub participants could participate. This year’s expansion of participation signified the Hub’s growing reach and the increasing importance of technological and scientific exploration among Eritrean youth.
For many years, NUEYS has played an active role in encouraging scientific curiosity among young Eritreans. Various science fairs and competitions have been organized in schools and colleges during the annual Eritrean Festival and at more significant regional levels. These initiatives have always sought to inspire creativity and reward innovative thinking, yet they often lacked a centralized framework to ensure continuity and widespread impact. Recognizing the need for a more structured and sustained effort, the Innovation Hub was formally established as a dedicated center for technological education and skill development. Unlike previous initiatives, the Hub provides young people with hands-on training, long-term mentorship, and access to educational resources, ensuring that innovation is encouraged and actively cultivated.
A strong emphasis on technical training is at the core of the Hub’s mission. Young participants, primarily students from Grades 9 to 11, are introduced to various fields crucial in today’s technological landscape. The courses offered include
electronics, Python programming, Scratch programming, robotics, and
soldering – the latter involving the design and assembly of the exterior casing of electronic devices. Each course is designed to be theoretical and practical, allowing students to work on real-world applications while learning the underlying principles. The training program is structured into three levels, with each level spanning six months. While preference is given to students with above-average academic performance, the Hub does not exclude passionate or highly motivated individuals. The belief is that innovation is not solely the domain of those with high grades but those who demonstrate curiosity, perseverance, and a willingness to learn.
While considerable effort has been put into fostering technological literacy in Eritrea, some challenges remain. One of these challenges is the issue of accessibility. In major urban centers, students have relatively more exposure to technology-related subjects, but those in remote areas often face significant barriers to accessing training programs or educational resources. The Innovation Hub was conceived in part to bridge this gap. While material resources remain somewhat limited, considerable efforts have been made to ensure that all six regions of the country have access to the necessary software and learning materials. By extending its reach into rural areas, the Hub seeks to ease access to technological education and provide equal opportunities to students regardless of their geographical location.
Although the Innovation Hub’s primary focus is on nurturing young students, long-term plans are to extend its programs to include college graduates and young professionals. While these plans are still in development, the Hub has already begun engaging with Eritrean experts and professionals in various fields, inviting them to deliver guest lectures and conduct short training sessions for engineers and working professionals. By fostering connections between experienced professionals and aspiring innovators, the Hub aims to create a mentorship and knowledge exchange network that can further accelerate technological advancement in the country.
The National Science and Innovation Fair served multiple purposes beyond providing a platform for young inventors to display their projects. One of its core objectives was to connect these young minds with key stakeholders from various sectors, including government ministries, professionals, and academic institutions. The fair also played a vital role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to think beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Participants were selected based on criteria set by technical advisors, who evaluated projects based on originality, inventiveness, problem-solving potential, and socioeconomic applicability. While there was no strict requirement that projects address local socioeconomic issues, participants were encouraged to develop solutions that could contribute meaningfully to national development, particularly in agriculture, energy, health, mining, and technology sectors.
The impact of such initiatives extends far beyond the immediate participants. By fostering a culture of innovation from an early age, the Innovation Hub is helping to lay the foundation for a more self-reliant and technologically driven Eritrea. The presence of stakeholders from various industries at the fair also created opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and potential investment in young talent. Moreover, the engagement of government ministries – most notably the Ministry of Agriculture, which has been the primary collaborator of the Hub, along with the Ministry of Education – signals a growing recognition of the role that innovation must play in the country’s future development.
The Innovation Hub envisions an even broader and more inclusive approach to technological education and innovation. The success of the 2025 Science and Innovation Fair has reinforced the importance of creating spaces where young minds can experiment, learn, and showcase their potential. With plans to further integrate college graduates and working professionals into its programs, the Hub is poised to become a key institution in shaping Eritrea’s future innovators and entrepreneurs.
We live in a time where technological advancement is increasingly shaping the course of a nation’s progress. So initiatives like the Innovation Hub serve as vital incubators for the next generation of problem-solvers and creators. By providing structured education, fostering collaboration, and promoting a spirit of inquiry and inventiveness, the Hub transforms the lives of individual students. It contributes to the broader goal of national development. Through continued investment, expanded accessibility, and strengthened partnerships, it has the potential to drive Eritrea toward a more innovative and technologically empowered future.
, today visited FAO 
ርክብ ምስ ወኪል ውድብ ሕቡራት ሃገራት ኣብ
