Abu Dhabi’s tech hub Hub71 has partnered with Nigerian platform GetFundedAfrica, a marketplace that matches startups seeking funding with investors, corporations and government.

The partnership aims to provide a soft landing for Hub71 startups looking to expand into Africa, and for African startups looking to enter the UAE and larger Middle East market.

Startups will be supported by Hub71 and GetFundedAfrica in areas such as incorporation, licensing, bank account opening, as well as introductions to potential customers, investors, and employees.

Additionally, UAE startups will be able to utilise the Ogun Technology Hub in Kobape, Nigeria as a base in the African region.

The announcement was made at GITEX Global 2022, during which the companies hosted a panel alongside Khalifa Fund on collaboration between the African and MENA startup ecosystems.

Created in 2019, Hub71 is Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Investment Company.

“This new GetFundedAfrica partnership facilitates cross-border investments, enables access to competitive and highly skilled talent, and brings new opportunities in untapped markets that are at the advent of technological transformation,”

said Badr Al-Olama, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hub71.

“The partnership with Hub71 helps African companies become global players leveraging a global ecosystem developed in Abu Dhabi. On the same note, UAE based companies are able to access opportunities in Africa through a transparent cross-border ecosystem developed by GetFundedAfrica,”

said Debo Omololu, CEO & Co-Founder of GetFundedAfrica.