Author: Victor Olayiwola

Early-stage African startups are being invited to apply for a unique opportunity to secure investment during exclusive pitch sessions set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, next month. A total of ZAR25 million (approximately US$1.5 million) has been earmarked to support innovative founders operating across the continent. The initiative is spearheaded by Alexandria Procter, entrepreneur and former co-founder of DigsConnect in South Africa, who now leads Pharos Ventures. She has teamed up with a network of early-stage investors to discover and support Africa’s most promising startups. The goal is to identify standout ventures with strong potential for growth…

The Western Cape is gearing up to host its first-ever Investment Summit, scheduled for November 5–7, with the goal of linking investors to high-impact, investment-ready projects. The initiative aims to accelerate job creation and promote inclusive economic growth throughout the province. The three-day event, themed “Catalysing Growth, Connecting Opportunities,” will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local and international investors, project developers, business leaders, and representatives from government. The summit is designed as a dynamic platform for sharing ideas, showcasing opportunities, and facilitating targeted investment deals. Key…

A new global initiative aimed at driving ethical and evidence-based use of artificial intelligence (AI) for social impact across Africa and Asia has been launched. The AI Evidence Alliance for Social Impact (AEASI), funded at GBP 2.75 million (US$3.7 million), is designed to support research, explore real-world applications of AI, and amplify local leadership in the development of responsible technologies. The Alliance is a collaboration between Community Jameel, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, and IDinsight. The project forms part of a…

In a bold move to deepen its influence in emerging markets, global payments giant PayPal has unveiled plans to invest US$100 million across startups in the Middle East and Africa. The commitment seeks to fuel innovation, empower local entrepreneurs, and support inclusive economic development in regions that are rapidly embracing digital commerce. PayPal’s strategic funding will be directed through a blend of minority equity stakes, acquisitions, investments by PayPal Ventures, and expansion of local talent and technological infrastructure. The goal is to equip promising startups with the capital and technology needed to scale efficiently, explore new markets, and bring more…

Chanzo Capital has hosted the first-ever Angel Fair Africa speed-dating event for African startups and investors during the prestigious San Francisco Tech Week, held earlier last month. The initiative marks a significant milestone as it brings the successful African investor matchmaking platform to a global audience for the first time on U.S. soil. Since its inaugural event in September 2013, Angel Fair Africa has rotated through some of the continent’s most vibrant tech ecosystems, including Johannesburg, Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Abidjan, Maputo, Dar es Salaam, Mauritius, and Cape Town. Earlier this year, the event celebrated its 12th edition in New York…

While equity remains the most talked-about funding route among startups, a new study suggests that debt financing may play an equally potent role in driving business success. Recent findings from a joint research effort by German fintech firm re:cap and equity management platform Eqvista highlight the significant impact strategic debt can have on early-stage startups. The study examined more than 10,000 data points from 530 startups and discovered a strong correlation between thoughtful debt utilization and increased company valuation. Specifically, startups that incorporated debt into their capital strategy enjoyed valuation increases of nearly 50 per cent compared to those relying…

More than 40 of Africa’s leading venture capital (VC) fund managers gathered last week at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School for the prestigious Africa Venture Finance Programme. The event is hosted by EIB Global in collaboration with AfricaGrow and is designed to empower venture fund managers who are investing in high-potential businesses across the continent. Since its launch, over 150 influential African VC fund managers have taken part in the programme, which focuses on delivering specialized training on venture financing strategies tailored for Africa’s evolving market. This year’s session, held from September 1–5, furthered that mission by emphasizing support for…

Egypt’s leading startup accelerator and early-stage investor, Flat6Labs, has announced a major restructuring of its operations with the launch of F6 Group, a newly formed umbrella organization that brings together its well-known accelerator alongside a fresh seed-stage investment arm called F6 Ventures. The move marks a significant evolution for the company as it strengthens its position in the Middle East and Africa’s fast-growing startup ecosystem. Flat6Labs has long been regarded as the MENA region’s top seed and early-stage venture capital platform, operating accelerator and investment programmes across Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. After 14 years…

The 19th edition of eLearning Africa, one of the continent’s premier networking events focused on digital-supported education, training, and skills development, is set to take place in Accra, Ghana, from June 3–5, 2026. The conference provides a key platform for discussion, collaboration, and knowledge exchange in the rapidly evolving field of e-learning across Africa. Since its inception in 2005, eLearning Africa has become a vital gathering for policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and government representatives. The event brings together professionals from diverse sectors to explore innovative approaches to digital education, share best practices, and foster collaborations that span industries and national…