Press Release 11th March 2026

ABAN Launches ‘Level Up Series’ in Kigali Ahead of ABAN Congress 2027 to Connect Policy and Private Capital for African Startups

Kigali, Rwanda, March 11, 2026

The African Business Angel Network (ABAN) officially launched the first edition of its Level Up Series in Kigali on 11th March 2026, marking the beginning of a new continental dialogue platform focused on translating policy into capital for African innovation.

Held as a side event at the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026, and officially co-hosted by Kgali International Financial Centre (KIFC), the Kigali Edition convened angel investors, early-stage fund managers, policymakers, regulators, and ecosystem leaders for a closed-door, solutions-driven roundtable.

Under the theme “Policy-to-Capital Conversation,” the session explored how regulatory frameworks and national innovation strategies can better unlock private capital for early-stage ventures across Africa. The main aim of the discussion was to bridge policy intent with real capital deployment, strengthening the role of angel investors as critical drivers of entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive growth.

“As the first edition of the Level Up Series, the Kigali convening set the tone for future city editions across the continent. The initiative is also a strategic precursor to the ABAN Congress 2027 edition, helping to surface key insights, recommendations, and collaborative pathways that will shape the broader continental agenda.” Fadilah Tchoumba, ABAN CEO

As co-hosts of the session, KIFC highlighted the importance of regulatory and capital market alignment:

“Africa’s innovation economy will grow faster when regulatory frameworks, investment platforms and private capital move in greater alignment. At Kigali International Financial Centre, we are focused on enabling investment structures that channel capital ef iciently into African opportunities. Co-hosting the Level Up Series with ABAN   the Inclusive FinTech Forum reflected our shared commitment to strengthening the early-stage investment ecosystem across the continent.” Hortense Mudenge, CEO, KIFC

Designed as an interactive roundtable rather than a traditional panel discussion, the Kigali edition prioritised candid exchange, peer learning, and practical outcomes. Participants examined:

1. The policy mechanisms that effectively unlock private capital
2. Where investors and policymakers experience friction or misalignment
3. How angel investors can be better integrated into national and regional innovation strategies
4. The actionable collaboration models that accelerate early-stage investment

By convening the Level Up Series alongside the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026, ABAN created a unique space for in-depth engagement between policymakers and early-stage investors. With participation intentionally limited to ensure depth of dialogue and meaningful engagement, the session also focused on identifying practical investment pathways, highlighting lessons from existing regulatory frameworks, and fostering collaboration that accelerates private capital deployment into Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

ENDS

For further information, interviews, or high-resolution images, please contact our Communications Lead at amimo@abanangels.org

About ABAN
The African Business Angel Network (ABAN) is the largest pan-African organisation of Angel investors on the continent. Established in 2015, ABAN represents the growing number of business angel groups in the African early-stage ecosystems, providing vital human and financial capital to African startups and creating jobs across the continent. Now active in 37 African countries and the diaspora, ABAN brings together 75+ member networks and more than 5,000 angel investors committed to fuelling early-stage innovation. To learn more about ABAN’s work and how you can be part of Africa’s thriving entrepreneurial future, visit the ABAN website. To learn more about ABAN’s work and how you can be part of Africa’s thriving entrepreneurial future, visit the ABAN website.

About Co-host
Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) is Rwanda’s financial centre initiative, established to position Rwanda as a preferred gateway for investment into Africa. Through a robust legal and regulatory framework, investor-friendly policies, and a growing ecosystem of global financial institutions, KIFC enables the structuring and management of investment vehicles that channel capital into opportunities across the continent. KIFC works closely with regulators, investors, and ecosystem partners to support the development of capital markets, fund management, fintech innovation, and sustainable finance, reinforcing Rwanda’s role as a competitive and transparent financial hub for Africa. Visit the KIFC website for more details.