{"id":1012,"date":"2014-08-17T15:34:37","date_gmt":"2014-08-17T07:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.www.innovationiseverywhere.com\/?p=1012"},"modified":"2014-08-17T15:34:37","modified_gmt":"2014-08-17T07:34:37","slug":"corporate-innovation-series-1-general-electric-ge-garage-lagos-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innovationiseverywhere.com\/fr\/corporate-innovation-series-1-general-electric-ge-garage-lagos-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"Corporate innovation series #1: GE Garage in Lagos, Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GEWhat General Electric<\/strong> is doing in Nigeria with its GE Garage<\/a> <\/strong>is not your typical corporate accelerator or even makerspace.<\/p>\n

It’s not an incubator, in the sense that there is no funding for younger entrepreneurs or a stake from GE in a startup’s equity. It’s more like an open Fablab<\/strong>, with GE employees around to help anyone coming here to make and do whatever their project is.<\/p>\n

The main objective of the GE Garage is to increase the employability of the local workforce through training on new manufacturing and production technology,<\/strong> and, of course, foster a spirit of entrepreneurship. Training will also include leadership development, software programming and business planning, all related to the Lagos market.<\/p>\n

The strategic interest for GE is obvious. If, a few years ago, CEO Jeff Immelt told shareholders Africa<\/strong> was \u00ab\u00a0off-radar\u00a0\u00bb<\/em>, in the latest annual report, he calls the continent \u00ab\u00a0a new frontier\u00a0\u00bb<\/em> for the group, with the possibility in near future that \u00ab\u00a0more gas turbines would be sold in Africa than in the US on a yearly basis\u00a0\u00bb <\/em>(Financial Times<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"GE<\/a><\/p>\n

Power is a big issue in Africa’s most populous country<\/strong>, with power cuts being a given (and oil-powered generator a luxury, although a pollutant one). As we saw in our Nigeria startup ecosystem report<\/a>, the cost of infrastructure is one of the main obstacles entrepreneurs are facing.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

GE Garage in Lagos, Nigeria: a place to increase the employability of the local workforce<\/h2>\n

We had a discussion with Osagie Ogunbor, Communications Manager for General Electric West Africa, and asked their team a few questions about the GE Garage<\/p>\n

Innovation is Everywhere – When did GE decide to open its series of Garages, and what place does it take for them in\u00a0the broader link they build with innovation outside the group (e.g. other companies have\u00a0incubators, etc.)? What is then the opportunity to open such a space in Africa, and why, in\u00a0Africa, did you decide for Nigeria, and then why Lagos?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The decision to extend GE Garages to Nigeria was taken in January this year during the visit of\u00a0our global Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. This is also part of a global plan to take the Garages\u00a0experience beyond the U.S and make it global. Nigeria just happens to be one of the first\u00a0locations outside of the U.S.<\/p>\n

With each stop, the garage will be tailored to meet local needs, and\u00a0continue building on the great ideas and learnings from previous cities. Through its expansion,\u00a0Garages will foster a culture of collaboration in each market, building entrepreneurs and young\u00a0employable youths imbued with relevant skills.<\/p>\n