Investors backing African startups

• Launch Africa

  Launch Africa Ventures is a pan-African venture capital fund focused on seed and pre-Series A technology startups. It backs businesses across sectors and regions addressing problems in African markets, combining investment with experience in venture building.

  Mauritius

• Techstars

  Techstars is a startup accelerator and early-stage investor operating across international startup hubs and specialised industries. Its programmes combine investment, hands-on mentorship and access to a network of founders, operators, corporate partners and investors.

  United States

• DEG (Germany)

  DEG is a German development finance institution and KfW subsidiary supporting private-sector businesses in developing and emerging markets. It provides long-term loans, equity investment and advisory support, and invests through local banks, financial institutions and funds.

  Germany

• Google For Startups Black Founders Fund

  The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund provided grants to Black-led startups without taking equity. Recipients also received mentorship, Google Cloud credits and product support. Google now presents the initiative through its past awards and alumni.

  United States

• Y Combinator

  Y Combinator is a startup accelerator and investor whose three-month programme combines funding with advice from experienced partners. Participating founders receive product and fundraising support, join an alumni community and present their companies to investors at Demo Day.

  United States

• Flat6Labs

  Flat6Labs is an entrepreneurship support platform offering startup acceleration, ecosystem development and innovation services in emerging markets. Its work includes programmes for entrepreneurs, support for organisations serving startups, and advisory services across markets including North Africa and the Middle East.

  Egypt

• LoftyInc Capital Management

  LoftyInc Capital Management is a venture capital firm investing in technology-enabled businesses serving everyday needs across Africa. It combines capital with portfolio support in strategy, governance, operational efficiency and market expansion, working with founders building scalable businesses.

  Nigeria

• 54 Collective (ex-FFA)

  54 Collective, formerly Founders Factory Africa, backed early-stage African businesses through investment and venture-building support. Its venture studio closed in 2025. Historical investments remain recorded here.

  United Kingdom

• 500 Global

  500 Global is a venture capital firm with startup investment, accelerator and investor education activities across international markets. It supports founders through capital, mentorship and networks, and works with investors and ecosystem organisations to develop local venture communities.

  United States

• Future Africa

  Future Africa invests in and helps build technology businesses addressing challenges across Africa. Its team combines investment and operating experience, providing founders with capital, coaching and access to a community of advisers alongside support for developing their businesses.

  Nigeria

• GIZ

  GIZ is a German international cooperation organisation working with public and private partners on development programmes worldwide. Its activities span digital transformation, climate, infrastructure, agriculture and employment, including partnerships and funding mechanisms supporting development objectives.

  Germany

• Plug and Play

  Plug and Play combines venture capital investment with startup acceleration and corporate innovation programmes. Based in Silicon Valley with international operations, it connects startups with companies, investors, universities and public-sector organisations across multiple industries.

  United States

• Kepple Africa Ventures

  Kepple Africa Ventures is a venture capital firm associated with investments in African startups. It partnered with Verod Capital Management to establish Verod-Kepple Africa Partners, the manager of a separate fund focused on technology-enabled businesses across Africa.

  Japan

• Ventures Platform

  Ventures Platform is a pan-African venture capital fund investing primarily at pre-seed and seed. It backs companies addressing gaps in infrastructure and access to goods and services, with portfolio support and follow-on investment extending into later funding rounds.

  Nigeria

• Catalyst Fund

  Catalyst Fund is a venture capital fund and venture builder backing technology businesses that address climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. It invests at pre-seed and supports portfolio companies with operational assistance, investor connections and follow-on funding.

  Kenya

• Norrsken (accelerator)

  Norrsken Accelerator supports early-stage impact startups through investment, founder mentoring and access to an international investor network. Its accelerator programme is based in Stockholm.

  Global

• Digital Africa (AFD)

  Digital Africa is a Proparco subsidiary within the AFD Group investing in early-stage African technology startups. It focuses on underserved ecosystems and combines pre-seed and seed investment with tailored founder support, expert connections and initiatives strengthening local startup ecosystems.

  France

• 4DX Ventures

  4DX Ventures invests in African technology businesses from pre-seed through Series A. The firm works with founders on business growth, combining capital and its network with strategic, operational and technical support from teams based in African cities and New York.

  United States

• Alibaba Foundation

  No description available.

  China

• Musha Ventures

  Musha Ventures presents the angel investment portfolio of technology operator Aadil Mamujee. Its holdings span Africa and other international markets, with a concentration of seed investments across areas including financial technology, enterprise software, commerce and emerging technologies.

  United States

• Renew Capital

  Renew Capital is an investment firm backing early-stage technology and technology-enabled businesses across Africa. It combines financing with management development and market-access support, connecting startups with a network of individual, family-office and institutional investors.

  Ethiopia

• British International Investment (ex CDC)

  British International Investment is the United Kingdom’s development finance institution and impact investor, formerly known as CDC. It provides patient capital to support private-sector businesses in emerging economies, pursuing commercial sustainability alongside economic, social and environmental development outcomes.

  United Kingdom

• USAID

  No description available.

  United States

• Endeavor

  Endeavor is a global entrepreneurship support organisation connecting selected founders with mentors, peers and business-growth services. Its investment arm, Endeavor Catalyst, operates a rules-based co-investment fund that invests in companies led by entrepreneurs in the Endeavor network.

  United States

• IFC

  IFC is a World Bank Group development finance institution focused on private-sector growth in emerging markets. It provides debt and equity financing, mobilises investment from other capital providers and shares expertise to support businesses and development projects.

  United States

• P1 Ventures

  P1 Ventures is a venture capital investor partnering with African technology founders. Its portfolio spans businesses in areas such as payments, insurance and healthcare, with founder support covering fundraising connections, recruitment, partnerships and expansion into additional markets.

  United Kingdom

• FMO

  FMO is the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, investing to support businesses and economic opportunity in developing markets. It finances sectors including energy and financial services and works with other investors to expand access to capital and share investment risks.

  Netherlands

• GSMA Innovation Fund

  The GSMA Innovation Fund is a grant programme supporting digital solutions in low- and middle-income countries. It combines equity-free funding with technical assistance, capacity building and industry connections, selecting organisations through funding rounds focused on specific social or environmental challenges.

  United Kingdom

• Microtraction

  Microtraction is an early-stage investor providing pre-seed funding to African technology entrepreneurs. It focuses on teams with technical founders, an initial product and evidence of customer demand, backing businesses with clear revenue models and potential to serve large markets.

  Nigeria

• EDFI ElectriFi

  ElectriFI is a European Union-funded financing facility managed by EDFI Management Company. It combines risk capital and technical assistance to support businesses expanding access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy in developing countries.

  Global

• All On

  All On is an impact investment company supporting businesses that expand off-grid energy access in Nigeria. It combines investment, efforts to mobilise finance and enterprise support, with particular attention to underserved communities and the Niger Delta.

  Nigeria

• DFS Lab

  DFS, also known as DFS Lab, is an early-stage venture investor focused on African technology businesses. Its investment areas include financial infrastructure, enterprise software, physical infrastructure and energy.

  United States

• Enza Capital

  Enza Capital is a venture capital firm backing technology companies across Africa, from pre-seed through Series B. Its focus includes fintech, logistics, healthcare, human capital and climate-related businesses.

  Kenya

• Ingressive Capital

  Ingressive Capital is a venture capital investor supporting early-stage startups in Sub-Saharan and North Africa. It backs technology entrepreneurs across industries and provides funding, business advice and connections to customers, partners and other investors.

  Nigeria

• Partech Africa

  Partech Africa is Partech’s investment strategy for technology-enabled businesses across Africa. It invests across sectors from seed through Series C, combining capital with financial, strategic and operational support for founders building and expanding their companies.

  France

• Axian Group

  AXIAN Group is a corporate group operating and investing in businesses across telecommunications, energy, financial services, fintech and real estate. Its activities focus on expanding access to essential infrastructure and services in African markets through its operating companies and partnerships.

  Madagascar

• First Circle Capital

  First Circle Capital is an investment fund focused on fintech founders building businesses in Africa. Its team brings experience as operators, investors and advisers, and its portfolio includes financial technology companies such as Opareta, MNZL and TurnStay.

  Morocco

• Golden Palm Investments

  Golden Palm Investments Corporation is an investment holding company headquartered in Accra, Ghana. It invests in African technology businesses, including financial technology, digital healthcare and technology-enabled marketplaces.

  Ghana

• CDG

  No description available.

  Morocco

• EchoVC Partners

  EchoVC Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology businesses led by underrepresented founders and serving underserved markets. It is sector-agnostic and operates from offices in Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom.

  Nigeria

• Goodwell Investments

  Goodwell Investments is an impact investment firm providing capital and business support to companies serving underserved communities. Its investment themes include agriculture, financial services, mobility and logistics, with investment teams based in African markets.

  Netherlands

• Algebra Ventures

  Algebra Ventures is an Egypt-based venture capital firm backing technology companies in Egypt and across Africa. It invests from seed through Series B and supports founders with strategic guidance, talent development and access to additional investors.

  Egypt

• Global Ventures

  Global Ventures is a UAE-based venture capital firm backing technology-enabled businesses and helping them expand across the Middle East, Africa and other markets. Its investment interests include fintech, healthtech, education technology, agriculture technology and enterprise software.

  United Arab Emirates

• Proparco

  Proparco is the AFD Group’s development finance subsidiary supporting private businesses and financial institutions in developing regions, including Africa. It provides loans, investments, guarantees and technical assistance to advance sustainable development and reduce inequalities.

  France

• Seedstars

  Seedstars is an entrepreneurship and investment platform focused on emerging and frontier markets. It operates startup acceleration, growth and investment-readiness programmes and works with venture funds, development agencies, governments and corporations to support technology-led businesses.

  Switzerland

• DOB Equity

  DOB Equity is an impact investor backing businesses in East Africa. It focuses on sustainable food systems, renewable energy, and water and sanitation, combining patient capital with active support on governance, growth opportunities and environmental and social risks.

  Netherlands

• TLCom Capital

  TLCOM is an Africa-focused venture capital firm investing from seed to growth stages. Its portfolio includes businesses in financial services, agriculture, logistics, education and human resources, supported by a team with investment and operating experience.

  Kenya

• Disruptech

  DisrupTech Ventures is an Egypt-based venture investor backing founders in AI and technology-enabled industries. Its portfolio includes financial services, commerce, healthcare, education and agriculture businesses, and its investment activity extends to other African markets.

  Egypt