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The Afrikan Design Thinking Network
In partnership with the Afrika Chapter of the Global Design Thinking Alliance
Rooted in our shared passion for human-centred innovation, our members aim to nurture Afrika’s creative potential to solve complex challenges.
To support changemakers and innovators, we need Design Thinking education and practice that reflects our diverse social, cultural, and economic realities and is grounded in our indigenous traditions of collaboration and problem-solving.
In the spirit of Ubuntu, we are building an active network of role-players to weave a tapestry from our diverse experiences, and undertake collaborative projects for collective benefit.
Our Network is connected to the Global Design Thinking Alliance through the Afrika Chapter of the GDTA, elevating Afrikan voices in the global design thinking communities.
The d-school Afrika established its footprint in Afrika with programmes like Design Thinking in Afrika since 2021, offered in partnership with partner universities across Africa, including American University in Cairo (Egypt), Ashesi University (Ghana), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) (Ghana), University of Nairobi (Kenya); and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
d.confestival Cape Town 2022, hosted outside Europe for the first time that year, firmly shone a spotlight on the significance and application of Design Thinking in Afrika and the Global South. About three quarters of participants were from 13 African countries, and 21 out of 50 speakers were from the Afrikan continent (10 beyond South Africa). See the e-magazine to relive the rich discussions and insights.
During d.confestival 2022, a special strategic session was held with a group of invited guests – our founding participants – from selected Afrikan institutions. We imagined the possibilities, seeded the vision and charted a roadmap for an Afrikan Collaborative Network.
From this foundation, we set off using the principles of design thinking to begin understanding the context, mapping the stakeholders, and prototyping ideas for engagement.
Our Stakeholder Mapping Survey in 2023 uncovered 53 organisations from 13 countries, revealing a rich diversity of design thinking activity on the continent. Collective sense-making of the findings pointed to a need for connection, capacity building, research, knowledge resources and teaching materials that are generated in Afrika and responsive to our contexts.
This survey was just the beginning. Join our Design Thinking Directory to connect with others and register your details, interests, needs and offers.
Our founding participants with whom we planted the seeds.
Left to Right: Felix Ofori Dartey (PADI), Ralitsa Diana Debrah (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), Hoda Mostafa (American University of Cairo), Adrian Jankowiak (Nairobi Design Week & Studio), Jenni van Niekerk, Janice McMillan, Richard Perez, Lucille Roberts (all d-school Afrika), Lilac Osanjo (University of Nairobi), Ettienne Mostert (d-school Afrika), Mugendi M’Rithaa (Machakos University & WDO), Uli Weinberg (d-school Potsdam & GDTA)
The d-school Afrika* established its footprint in Afrika with programmes like Design Thinking in Afrika since 2021, offered in partnership with American University in Cairo’s Center for Learning and Teaching in Egypt, Ashesi University and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, the University of Nairobi, Department of Art and Design in Kenya; and the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
d.confestival Cape Town 2022, hosted outside Europe for the first time that year, firmly shone a spotlight on the significance and application of Design Thinking in Afrika and the Global South. About three quarters of participants were from 13 African countries, and 21 out of 50 speakers were from the Afrikan continent (10 beyond South Africa). See the e-magazine to relive the rich discussions and insights.
During d.confestival 2022, a special strategic session was held with a group of invited guests – our founding participants – from selected Afrikan institutions. We imagined the possibilities, seeded the vision and charted a roadmap for an Afrikan Collaborative Network.
From this foundation, we set off using the principles of design thinking to begin understanding the context, mapping the stakeholders, and prototyping ideas for engagement.
Planting the seeds at d.confestival Cape Town 2022.
Left to Right: Felix Ofori Dartey (PADI), Ralitsa Diana Debrah (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), Hoda Mostafa (American University of Cairo), Adrian Jankowiak (Nairobi Design Week & Studio), Jenni van Niekerk, Janice McMillan, Richard Perez, Lucille Roberts (all d-school Afrika), Lilac Osanjo (University of Nairobi), Ettienne Mostert (d-school Afrika), Mugendi M’Rithaa (Machakos University & WDO), Uli Weinberg (d-school Potsdam & GDTA)
Our Stakeholder Mapping Survey in 2023 uncovered 53 organisations from 13 countries, revealing a rich diversity of design thinking activity on the continent. Collective sense-making of the findings pointed to a need for connection, capacity building, research, knowledge resources and teaching materials that are generated in Afrika and responsive to our contexts.
Our initial phase involved understanding the landscape, building relationships, and experimenting with activities for fostering engagement: We co-created and hosted online Conversation Circles, prototyped a Design Thinking Knowledge Hub, started collaborative initiatives, and connected on LinkedIn and later on WhatsApp. Then we paused to reflect and restrategise, leaning into Network practice to envision the next phase.
Whether you are deeply engaged in the field or simply interested in following and learning alongside the community, there are different ways to participate.
Network Members are committed to the growth of design thinking education and practice in Afrikan contexts AND are willing to actively contribute to the Network.
Individual Members may include educators, facilitators, researchers, students, innovators, professionals, and practitioners.
Organisational Members may include academic institutions, research centres, learning communities, and organisations working in design thinking, innovation, incubation, or capacity-building.
As a Network Member, you become part of a mutually thriving community working toward shared purpose and collective growth across the continent.
The strength of the Network depends on the active participation of its members. In turn, members are enriched by the relationships, learning, and opportunities that emerge through the Network.
Followers are people interested in design thinking education in Afrikan contexts who would like to stay connected, learn from the community, and participate in selected events and opportunities.
This is a great way to stay connected to the evolving field and community without the commitment of active membership. By offering more active contributions, followers can become members…
If you believe in building Afrikan design thinking capacity and leadership with local impact and global influence, we invite you to join us.
Among our Network Members are Higher Education Institutions who are also members of the Global Design Thinking Alliance (GDTA). The GDTA is the global platform for exchange, debate, and exploration of best practices in Design Thinking education, training, and research. Today GDTA unites member institutions in 25 countries across five continents – the most vibrant global community of Design Thinking educators and practitioners.
Afrikan institutions who have fulfilled the GDTA membership criteria automatically join the GDTA Afrika Chapter. The Chapter creates a bridge between the Afrikan Design Thinking Network and the GDTA. It brings global practices and resources to the network and also shares African design thinking with the world via the GDTA. This partnership between the Network and the Afrika Chapter strengthens Afrikan visibility, collaboration, and contribution within global design thinking communities.
The Network journey moves from people connecting to coordinating and collaborating on shared initiatives. These are the current activities and projects undertaken by Network members and open to participation:
These stories are created as teaching and learning tools aimed at design thinking educators for use in their teaching and facilitation, or for self-led learning by students. The stories offer real world examples of design thinking to make it practical and relatable and to illustrate various teaching points related to design thinking.
The first Stories in our collection have been published! Visit our Test Site HERE to discover:
Join our community by accessing the Facilitator Resources, offering your feedback on the Stories and website overall, and sharing a resource of your own.
Educators would be able to adapt the intended glossary to their own teaching styles and local contexts. In the long term, members have envisioned creating multilingual localised toolkits of Design Thinking methods and mindsets - designed for and rooted in Afrika.
Tell us about you and indicate your interest through this short Membership Interest form. Includes newsletter subscription option.
f you’re just interested in being a Follower, subscribe for occasional updates, invites and opportunities
Visit our pilot test site for these teaching and learning resources. Contribute by offering feedback and sharing a resource of your own.
Feel free to post, introduce yourself, share resources and connect with others
The Network journey moves from people connecting to coordinating and collaborating on shared initiatives. These are the current activities and projects undertaken by Network members and open to participation:
Copyright 2026 Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika*
