Facebook has partnered with CcHub to launch NG_Hub in Lagos, Nigeria – its first flagship community hub space in Africa, in a move expected to bring together developers, start-ups, and the wider tech community across Lagos and Nigeria.

According to the social media giant, the space will bring together communities to collaborate, learn, and exchange ideas.

Ime Archibong, Facebook’s Vice President of Partnerships said: “Technology provides expansive opportunities to engage young, creative and resourceful Nigerians, especially in delivering solutions to challenges across communities here in Nigeria. Our mission is to build community and bring the world closer together, NG_Hub provides that physical space that will serve as a centre of learning and skills development in Lagos, and I’m excited about the possibilities that this will create.”

Facebook also announced partnerships with seven other hubs across the country including in Abuja (Ventures Platform), Jos (nHub), Kaduna (Colab Hub), Kano (DI Hub), Uyo (Start Innovation Hub), Enugu (Roar Hub) and Port Harcourt (Ken Saro Wiwa Hub).

These will serve as centres of excellence and will feature dedicated Facebook spaces, where many of Facebook’s training sessions will take place, and a space where creatives and developers can book to help them advance their skills.

The NG_Hub space includes workspaces, meeting rooms, games and chill out room, an event space and a well catered café, will also be the focal point for a number of training programmes.

NG_Hub’s training programmes include the Fb Start Accelerator programme – a research and mentorship-driven programme, Digify Pro Nigeria – a two-month intensive boot camp, Boost Your Business for micro, small and medium sized businesses owners and #SheMeansBusiness, a one-day training workshop and networking experience for female entrepreneurs.

“The NG_Hub highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting local talent in Nigeria. We’re delighted to be partnering with CcHub here in Lagos, as well as with many other hubs across Nigeria to deepen our engagement, increase skills development and support the next set of innovators, tech entrepreneurs, start-ups, and others in our collective bid to change the face of technology and grow the economy,” said Ebele Okobi, Director of Public Policy, Africa.