Kabakoo - The House Of Wondering
Bamako, Mali
About Kabakoo - The House Of Wondering
Kabakoo - The House Of Wondering is a community Makerspace in Bamako, Mali, Mali. it provides open access to digital fabrication tools, electronics labs, and collaborative workspaces for students, educators, entrepreneurs, and independent makers. Members can work with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and electronics prototyping equipment to turn ideas into functional prototypes. The space hosts regular STEM workshops, coding sprints, and design thinking sessions that attract talent from across Mali. Whether you are a first-time maker or a seasoned hardware engineer, Kabakoo - The House Of Wondering offers the tools, community, and mentorship needed to build, iterate, and innovate — making it one of the most valuable innovation resources in Mali.
Description
What defines us?
1. Ecological sustainability: Passive construction with local materials built with the ancient African technique of the Nubian vault; Upcycled furniture made by waste collected around Bamako
2. For the people with the people: Located in a typical low-income neighborhood where the majority of the population in African cities actually live
3. Inclusiveness: At Kabakoo, you can find the vocationally trained, the formally college-educated, and the informally trained alike.
Kabakoo means “to wonder” or “to be amazed” in the Bamanan language from West Africa. “Wondering” is the beginning of discovery and knowledge (cf. Bamanan mythology or the Ancient Greeks). We wonder to better understand the issues we are facing and to create locally-grounded solutions. The first House Of Wondering was launched in May 2018 in Bamako.
Who Can Benefit
Students & Researchers
University and school students who want access to fabrication tools, prototyping equipment, and expert mentorship.
Entrepreneurs & Startups
Early-stage founders who need a collaborative space to build, test, and iterate on their hardware or software ideas.
Educators & Trainers
Teachers and trainers who want to run practical STEM workshops, coding bootcamps, or design sprints for their cohorts.
Independent Makers
Hobbyists, artists, and independent inventors who need access to tools and a community of like-minded creators.