July 2025 newsletter

Dear ABAN Angels and Partners,

We are witnessing a strong resurgence in early-stage investment across the continent, and the numbers from June speak volumes.

Startups across Africa raised $365 million in June 2025, marking the continent’s most robust funding month in nearly a year and capping off a strong first-half (H1) performance. According to Africa: The Big Deal, startups secured $1.35 billion in H1 2025, a 78% increase compared to the $800 million raised during the same period in 2024. With fundraising exceeding $250 million in four separate months so far this year, average monthly investments have risen to $237 million, significantly higher than the $133 million monthly average in H1 2024 and even above the full-year 2024 average of $187 million. What does this mean? Investor confidence appears to be returning, as shown by the strong rebound in both equity and debt funding across the continent. The consistent growth in monthly deal flow, alongside sector-specific momentum in fintech, health tech, and logistics, signals that investors are once again seeing African startups as viable, high-potential opportunities.

As we move into the second half of the year, this upsurge and renewed optimism raise a key question: What new investment opportunities and trends are emerging across Africa’s startup landscape in July, fueled by this upswing in confidence? One area that’s gaining traction is climate-smart agriculture, as demonstrated in the recent ABAN Climate-Smart Agriculture Venture Showcase.

SEE WHY CLIMATE-SMART STARTUPS ARE CAPTURING INVESTOR ATTENTION ACROSS THE CONTINENT

In case you missed it, our Climate-Smart Venture Showcase that took place on July 02, 2025, brought together some of Africa’s most promising agri-innovation startups, each tackling urgent agricultural challenges with scalable, tech-powered solutions. Three standout, investment-ready ventures pitched their ideas to investors eager to fund the next wave of sustainable transformation. Watch the full showcase recap here!

WHAT’S NEW AND WHAT’S NEXT IN JULY? 

1. ABAN Climate-Smart Agriculture Venture Showcase, July Edition 

Join us for the Climate-Smart Agriculture Venture Showcase, July Edition, happening on 23rd July, and discover a curated lineup of investment-ready startups solving real agricultural challenges with scalable, tech-enabled solutions! If you are an investor eager to fund sustainable innovation, this is your opportunity to unlock high-impact ventures and connect directly with the founders shaping Africa’s agricultural transformation. Here’s your first step to being part of the session!

2. Xcelerate Startup Competition

Xcelerate, formerly Innov8, is an exciting competition that highlights groundbreaking innovations in tech and healthcare. From September 8–10, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in partnership with HIMSS, 40 early and growth-stage startups will take the stage to pitch their ideas in areas like HealthTech, AI, robotics, and wearables. To participate, startups need to exhibit on the show floor and go through a selection process, as spots are limited. With $50,000 in cash and another $50,000 in in-kind support (including a stand, branding, and marketing exposure) up for grabs, this is a fantastic opportunity to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions. Submit your applications here before July 30, 2025!

3. The official launch of the CVIC – Cabo Verde Investors Club, SGPS, on July 17, 2025, at the Technology Park in Praia, Cabo Verde

We are happy to announce the launch of CVIC – Cabo Verde Investors Club, the country’s first angel investors’ club, created to fund innovative, scalable startups that drive sustainable economic and social impact, both locally and across Africa. Born within our Angel Network, ABAC – Cabo Verde Business Angels Association, CVIC is majority-owned and led by ABAC members, marking a major leap forward in formalizing angel investing in Cabo Verde. It also

reflects the inspiration and best practices championed by ABAN across the continent. The launch event will feature: Official presentation of CVIC and its investment strategy, testimonials from founding shareholders and public authorities, and the launch of the First Startup Investment Call. Read on……

      4. Lagos Angel Network Backs Awari and Laudr to Power Africa’s Creative Future 

Lagos Angel Network has just announced its latest investments in two pioneering startups at the forefront of Africa’s creative renaissance: KKLS – Awari App and Laudr. These companies represent a bold new wave of African innovation, deeply rooted in culture, powered by technology, and built by visionary local founders: Laudr, founded by Soji Akinlabi, which is building Africa’s podcasting future, and KKLS – Awari App, founded by Tannaz Bahnam, which is a lifestyle-tech platform that helps users discover and navigate local culture across African cities. Get more details on this here!

      5. Grab your AESIS 2025 Early Bird Tickets 

The Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (#AESIS2025) returns this November! Get in early and save your seat before prices go up. If you would like to purchase group tickets, reach out to team@africainvestorsummit.com for more details! Reserve your spot now and enjoy a 30% on the normal ticket price.

COMING UP!

THE ABAN CONGRESS 2025!

We are happy to announce the ABAN Annual Congress 2025, a landmark event celebrating 10 years of advancing angel investing across Africa, taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 17th to 18th October 2025, a country that has consistently demonstrated leadership in mobilising local capital and fostering innovation on the continent. This year’s Congress, which will bring together a powerful mix of early-stage investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, fund managers, and ecosystem builders, will run under the bold theme: “Accelerating Local Capital Participation” to align on strategies that will unlock greater capital flows and a self-sustaining investment landscape for ecosystem acceleration. Take a closer look at the congress…….