Silikin Village

What Silikin Village does

Silikin Village is an innovation hub and coworking campus headquartered in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, founded in 2020 by TEXAF Digital, the digital arm of the TEXAF group that has operated in DRC since 1925. The company operates a 8,700–9,000 m² campus containing more than 50 private offices, 200+ coworking positions, 20+ meeting rooms, an auditorium, and event spaces, with continuous power, high-speed internet, and 24/7 secure access. The platform layers on a structured ASBL program portfolio (14 offerings) covering startup acceleration (Grandir & Faire Grandir, Scaling Up in DRC, Tech Masterclass with Guy Futi), women entrepreneurship (Bokoli Pour Elles), labeling (MINZOTO, MALAIKA), community convening (Silikin Community Talks, AI Day), and a Business Angels Academy, alongside support services such as accounting, HR, and market studies. Customers are DRC-based early-stage founders, SMEs, freelancers, women entrepreneurs, and corporate teams, with named engagement spanning fintech, healthtech, agritech, architecture, and financial inclusion.

The business model combines recurring workspace rental (open coworking from $20/day, closed coworking from $200/month, private offices from $700/month), professional-services revenue from incubation and acceleration programs, and event-hosting fees. The hub has accompanied more than 300 startups since 2021, engaged over 1,200 entrepreneurs in its community, distributed more than $200,000 in direct grants, and runs 30+ events annually. Strategic distribution channels include direct on-site rental, application-based program onboarding, and international event presence (VivaTech 2025, AfricArena Kinshasa Summit 2026), supported by partnerships with Visa, Bpifrance, Deloitte, AfriLabs, RFI/France Médias Monde, the University of Liège, and NetWorKin. The ecosystem is co-located with OADC Texaf Kinshasa (FIH1), the first Tier III certified data center in DRC, extending the offering into sovereign cloud, hybrid hosting, and intensive data processing services.

Silikin Village is structured as a non-profit association (Silikin Village ASBL) wholly owned through TEXAF Digital under the listed TEXAF group, providing institutional backing and a 100-year local heritage. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, acquiring founders through accelerator pipelines, networking events, and public international showcases rather than outbound sales. The hub is the dominant DRC anchor for the Francophone African startup ecosystem, with ambitions to be designated a Special Economic Zone.

Name

Silikin Village

Legal name

Silikin Village ASBL

Website

https://silikinvillage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Silikin Village is a Kinshasa-based innovation hub and coworking campus, founded in 2020 by TEXAF Digital, that provides workspace, incubation programs, and community events to DRC entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs across fintech, healthtech, agritech, and adjacent verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coworking and Innovation Hub Services

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Capacity Building & Training (Workforce/Systems Strengthening) (BPADAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

Keywords

• Coworking spaces
• Innovation hub services
• Startup incubation programs
• Entrepreneurship training
• Corporate event venues

Headquarters

HQ city

Kinshasa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Coworking and Office Space Rental: Revenue from renting flexible workspace solutions including open coworking (daily rates), closed coworking (monthly rates), private offices (monthly rates for 3-4 people teams), meeting rooms, training rooms, and event spaces including an auditorium
2. Incubation and Acceleration Programs: Revenue from startup programs including Grandir & Faire Grandir, Scaling Up in DRC, Tech Masterclass, and labelling programs that provide structured accompaniment to entrepreneurs
3. Event Hosting: Revenue from hosting conferences, workshops, hackathons, networking events, and corporate events in their professional event spaces

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Silikin Village operates a physical innovation hub in Kinshasa that provides coworking spaces (open and closed desks), private offices, meeting and training rooms, and an event auditorium. It complements the workspace offering with structured entrepreneur programs including incubation (Grandir), scaling (Scaling Up in DRC), women-focused training (Bokoli Pour Elles), AI literacy (Tech Masterclass, AI Day), startup certification (Labellisation), and angel-investor education (Business Angels Academy), along with business support services.

Product overview

Silikin Village is an innovation hub and coworking ecosystem in Kinshasa, DRC, operated by Texaf Digital. The offering is structured as a platform combining physical infrastructure (9,000 m² campus with over 50 private offices, 200+ coworking stations, 20+ meeting rooms, auditorium, and event spaces) with accelerator programs (Grandir & Faire Grandir, Scaling Up in DRC, Tech Masterclass with Guy Futi, Bokoli Pour Elles) and community initiatives (Silikin Community Talks, AI Day, Startup Labellisation). Supporting services include a Tier III certified data center (OADC Texaf Kinshasa), business support services (accounting, HR, market studies), and a Business Angels Academy. The ecosystem has supported over 300 startups since 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grandir & Faire Grandir: Acceleration program for startups to strengthen the ecosystem
• Scaling Up in DRC
• Bokoli Pour Elles
• Silikin Community Talks
• Tech Masterclass
• Labellisation

Products and services

• Open Coworking Space
• Closed Coworking Space and Private Offices
• Meeting and Training Rooms
• Event Spaces and Auditorium
• Grandir & Faire Grandir Program
• Scaling Up in DRC Program
• Bokoli Pour Elles Program Dedicated women-in-tech and entrepreneurship program providing targeted training, mentorship, and visibility for female founders, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the DRC.
• Tech Masterclass (avec Guy Futi)
• AI Day
• Silikin Community Talks Community-driven talk series featuring entrepreneurs, technologists, and ecosystem stakeholders sharing insights with the Silikin community.
• Startup Labellisation
• Business Angels Academy Educational program training prospective angel investors in the DRC, supporting the development of a local angel investor ecosystem.
• Business Support Services Operational and business support services provided to member startups, including advisory, connections, and ecosystem resources.
• Data Center Access (OADC Texaf Kinshasa FIH1) Co-location of the Silikin Village hub with the OADC Texaf Kinshasa (FIH1) data center, enabling members to access nearby Tier-III data center infrastructure for hosting and connectivity.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 300 startups accompanied since 2021
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TEXAF DigitalcoreOthers · 1 January 2020TEXAF Digital is the parent company and founding entity of Silikin Village. TEXAF is the only company listed on the stock exchange with exclusive operations in DRC since 1925. Silikin Village embodies the group's ambition to become a major player in digital technology in Central Africa. The ecosystem combines Texaf Digital's modern services and infrastructure with Silikin Village asbl's structured accompaniment programs for entrepreneurs.
• VisaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisa is mentioned as a key supporter of MainMoney, the biometric palm payment technology launched at Silikin Village. The partnership supports financial inclusion initiatives in DRC through innovative payment solutions developed within the Silikin Village ecosystem.
• BpifranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBpifrance co-hosted the 'Incubate The Future' event at VivaTech 2025 where Silikin Village presented its accompaniment methodologies. The partnership provides a platform for showcasing DRC's innovation ecosystem to international business leaders.
• DeloitteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeloitte organized a panel on 'Supporting African Start-ups Support System' at VivaTech 2025, with Silikin Village participating alongside AfriLabs. The discussion covered capacity building programs and mentorship networks in Africa.
• AfriLabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfriLabs participated in the VivaTech 2025 panel on African startup ecosystems alongside Silikin Village. Represents a network of African innovation hubs working on shared goals for the continent's startup development.
• RFI / France Médias MondeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organized the 'Challenge App: African Solutions to Address the Continent's Challenges' panel at VivaTech 2025. The partnership focuses on discussing structural barriers in French-speaking Africa and the role of innovation competitions in revealing local talents.
• Angel FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngel Foundation organized the 'Bomekano ya Basi' training initiative for agripreneurs from the Bokoli Pour Elles program. The training focused on agricultural business management, agri-food marketing, and market strategies, taking place at Kinshasa from July 1-3, 2025.
• Close The GapminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose The Gap is referenced as one of the ASBL programs at Silikin Village, indicating a collaborative program for supporting entrepreneurs and innovation initiatives within the ecosystem.
• AfricArenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfricArena Kinshasa Summit 2026 was held at Silikin Village, marking a key moment for the Congolese entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event brought together African startups, international investors, large companies, and institutional actors. Silikin Village hosted bootcamps, learning expeditions, and networking sessions.
• NetWorKinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetWorKin partnered with Silikin Village for afterwork networking events including 'Meet the CEO' sessions. The partnership connects entrepreneurs, creators, and decision-makers through strategic networking events in Kinshasa.
• University of LiègeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Liège partnered with Silikin Village for the Tobongola Mokili program, conducting a mapping of actors in the New Climate Economy. The project aims to promote impact initiatives and connect participants with strategic support and a national network of committed actors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Impact Hub Network: Global innovation hub network with strong African presence offering coworking, accelerator programs, and community events. Comparable model combining workspace with impact-focused incubation across multiple cities; relevant as Silikin Village considers expansion.
• Nairobi Garage: Premium coworking and innovation space operator in Nairobi serving startups, SMEs, and corporate teams. Comparable workspace-led business model targeting similar customer segments (entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporate events) in an African capital.
• BongoHive: Zambia-based innovation hub providing workspace, training, and incubation programs for entrepreneurs. Comparable business model and emerging-market context; operates in a neighboring Southern/Central African market with similar ecosystem maturity challenges.
• Co-creation Hub (CcHUB): Nigeria's largest innovation hub operating coworking, incubation, and acceleration programs across multiple African cities. Directly comparable business model combining physical workspace with structured startup programs; serves as the benchmark African innovation hub operator.
• AfriLabs: Pan-African network of over 400 innovation hubs across the continent. Already a partner of Silikin Village at VivaTech 2025; comparable as a peer organization serving the same entrepreneur community and competing for the same international visibility and partnerships.
• Jokkolabs: African network of innovation hubs operating in multiple countries with coworking, events, and accelerator offerings. Comparable multi-city hub operator with similar focus on emerging African markets and community-driven entrepreneurship support.
• iHub: Kenya's pioneering innovation hub providing workspace, mentorship, and community for tech entrepreneurs. Closely comparable model with structured programs and corporate partnerships; Nairobi's most established hub comparable to Silikin's role in Kinshasa.

Broad incumbents

• Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF): Large-scale African entrepreneurship program providing training, mentorship, and $5,000 seed capital to African entrepreneurs. Comparable in the training/incubation mission and pan-African scope; broader in scale but less workspace-centric.

Others

• Africa Finance Corporation / AfDB Innovation Labs: Multilateral development institutions running innovation and entrepreneurship support programs across Africa. Comparable as institutional ecosystem supporters and capacity builders rather than direct coworking competitors; relevant partners and potential collaborators in Silikin's advocacy work.

Emerging players

• MEST Africa: Pan-African startup training and investment program operating in multiple African countries. Comparable in the acceleration and entrepreneur training dimension rather than physical workspace; overlaps on startup program design and venture creation mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/with_replies
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@silikinvillage6630
• Facebookfacebook.com/silikinvillage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silikin-village
• Instagraminstagram.com/silikinvillage
• TikToktiktok.com/@silikinvillage?lang=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silikin Village