Efforts to engender Africa focused angel investment platform received a boost as the 8th Angel Fair Africa (AFA) coming up tomorrow has got the support of 43 leading global investors from Africa, Europe, US and the Middle East signing up to participate. The AFA is an event that brings accelerators, incubators and emerging businesses together from Africa to pitch ideas and for entrepreneurs to secure deals with possible investors.
The investors that are participating in the virtual AFA are from Angel Africa List (AAL), Africa Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (AVCA), America Capital Association (ACA), Women-In-Capital (WIC), Viktoria Business Angel Network, Brightmore Capital and more. Funding is received from Asime Partners and the MSM Property Fund in support of the investors who decided to participate.
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In an official press release, Sewu-Steve Tawia, managing director of Asime Partners, explains that AFA is determined to get investors together despite the global pandemic the world is facing,
“We have followed the momentum developed by the event despite the COVID pandemic and are happy to help bring the investor community together for what promises to be the best of its kind event in a virtual environment”.
Ten ventures have gone through the one-month African Virtual Accelerator (AVA) which brings African entrepreneurs, businesses and partners together to virtually learn from each other through theory, practicals and assignments. The 10 selected ventures are provided the opportunity to pitch their innovations to the investors participating in the AFA.
In addition, the selected ventures are supported by Google, Impact Hub Dakar, CTIC Dakar, MEST Africa, StartupBootcamp Africa, Viable, Adei Institute and iHub.
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The current selected ventures that will be pitching this year are:
Kalpay directed by Ibrahima Kane
ShopMeAway led by Racine Carr
AgroInnova, which is guided by Amos Narh
Kladika by Muthoni Mwangi
Gift Pesa which is led by Pamela Muriuki
Ejoobi managed by Simangele Mphahlele
Kweza by Ropafadzo Musvaire
Afrijob Network led by Harriet Kariuki
Curacel by Henry Mascot
Adi&Bolga led by Abimbola Oladeji.
Racine Sarr, CEO of ShopMeAway, comments in an official press release on the structure of the AVA programme and the impact experts had on the venture.
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“Focused and well structured! AVA program made me go through all vital parts of my business again but this time with the help of world-class experts. Unlearning and re-learning super-fast, October has been more hot than usual. Thank you, AVA.”
Abimbola Oladeji of Adi&Bolga explains her excitement to pitch to investors and provides insight into the African Virtual Accelerator. “AVA was a truly intense month-long accelerator experience, packed with lots of learnings and insight delivered by mentors with diverse backgrounds in the startup ecosystem. I’m grateful to have been selected to be part of this cohort and I’m excited for pitch day next week”.
Musi Skosana, CEO of MSM Property Fund speaking on the noticeable presence of female entrepreneurs in the investment space said that “the increased participation of female investors and entrepreneurs in the event signaled a welcomed change in the state of affairs regarding gender parity and the beginning of a new era of female entrepreneurship”.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry