Since 2015, the year ABAN was created, we have had amazing milestones:
To date, there are over 5,000 active business angels in Africa compared to a only few dozen in 2012. Along with the increase in individual business angels, we have also seen a sharp increase in the number of business angel groups and syndicates that are created to spread risk amongst members and improve investment performance, from just 5 pioneering angel network groups in 2012 to over 150 business angel groups across 54 African countries today.
The visibility and accessibility of angel investing in Africa have led to greater diversity in the profile of business angels on the continent. We have witnessed the emergence of female representation led by pioneering female business angel groups such as Rising Tide Africa, based in Nigeria, Dazzle Angels in South Africa, Female Future Angels in Mauritius, and DRC Impact Angels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The growth in the number of business angel networks reflects the achievement of ABAN’s strategic goal of developing the Angel Investment ecosystem in Africa.
At ABAN, we are committed to unlocking the participation of local investment in the African start-up ecosystem. In partnership with Afrilabs, we created and launched Catalytic Africa in 2021, an innovative investment model involving Business Angels and Innovation Hubs.
By backing these African business angels with matching grants for each successful equity investment made in a participating start-up, Catalytic Africa seeks to reduce the risk of investing and facilitate growth opportunities throughout the continent – kicking off projects that are powered by business angels’ funds and grant money alike!
Through Catalytic Africa, start-ups have the chance to actualize their potential with innovative co-investment opportunities. If a venture passes an application review by the Programme Committee, it will receive matching funds from this unique instrument of investment in African ventures, offering powerful innovation and development for early-stage businesses on the continent.
Click here for more information to learn more about how you can actualize your potential with innovative co-investment opportunities.
