Skip to content

Circle

How to Untap the African Venture Market

Experience Exchange & Best Practices for (Co-)Investments

How to Untap the African Venture Market

March 23, 2023

Château Royal, Berlin

The African start-up sector is booming, and the continent, as well as its ventures, are more than promising. Especially young entrepreneurs contribute to the development of the private sector in Africa and are on the rise, particularly in the tech industry. However, European and German investors show reluctance and scepticism when it comes to investments in African ventures. The current image of the continent, uncertainty and a lack of knowledge about the potential in many African countries may be the reason.

Zu Tisch während des Salon "How to Untap the African Venture Market"

Austausch beim Abendessen mit Investor:innen und Gründer:innen auf dem afrikanischen Markt

We aimed to strengthen the exchange of experiences among targeted investors who are already active in African markets and those who are not (yet) while presenting the two success stories of Mobile Afya and Tanél Health. Therefore, we offered a platform for a dialogue on opportunities, best practices, challenges and risks and to promote investment in Africa, notably through co-investment with local funds.

Action Recommendations

  • White Spot

    The African venture market is still a white spot for many investors and is often perceived as too risky; therefore, more public money is needed to de-risk investments and attract more commercial money. The exchange between public financing institutions and private investors may also be strengthened to recommend and ensure follow-on investments.

  • Exit Strategies

    The exit strategies are not always clear and need to be developed to sustain the venture world; therefore, financial institutions and corporations need to grow and be built up in parallel.

  • Organic Growth

    A fast exit is not always the only way to go, and investors should at the same time have a look at companies and investment cases with no specific exit strategy, but that intends to grow organically to foster sustainable development of given sectors on the African continent.

  • Storytelling

    The start-up sector on the African continent is booming, and hundreds of companies are generating substantial revenues, but these success stories only rarely reach Germany and its investor scene; therefore, more stories need to be told, and the information and knowledge exchange to be strengthened to make the African venture market more attractive.

Contact Persons

Rhoda Berger, r.berger@globalperspectives.org

Supported by

GreenTec Capital Partners

Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung

Circle

We believe in proximity building trust. Our most personal format therefore offers the opportunity to deepen the knowledge of our high-ranking guests in a small circle, together with an exchange of experiences, in dialogue.

Program Archive

Salon
Financing Africa's Future
Berlin Global Dialogue

We explored current trends and developments in Africa's financial sector and discussed the actions needed by businesses and governments to improve the financial landscape on the continent.

Publications
Germany and the New South
Voices, Insights, Expectations

The distribution of power in the international system is changing. We interviewed 10 experts from the so-called 'Global South' to get their insight into their perception of Germany's role.

Salon
Africa's Creative Pulse
Local Impact, Global Reach

Africa's creative industries are booming and changing the global cultural landscape. We discussed the growing industry with Nollywood director Funke Akindele and writer Lola Shoneyin.

Digital Salon
Global Perspectives on: Women's Health
How to Join Forces to Advance Women’s Economic Power

Investments in women's health are threatened by budget cuts and anti-gender movements. In our webinar, we discussed innovative strategies to drive progress in our digital dialogue.

Circle
Her Health, Our Wealth
Elevating Family Planning & Women’s Health to boost the African Economy

The inequalities in the global health system have a significant impact on the financial situation of women. We discussed economic growth through equal opportunities.

Circle
Rethinking Germany’s Global Engagement amid Conflict and the Climate Crisis
Value-Driven Foreign and Aid Policy

Together with David Miliband, CEO & President of IRC, and selected stakeholders from politics, business, academia, we discussed Germany's responsibilities in an international system in crisis.

Circle
Discussing Development Policies in a Multipolar World
Background Discussion with Anna Bjerde

In conversation with Anna Bjerde and other representatives from politics, business, and academia, we discussed efforts in fostering sustainable development.

Publications
The Africa Roundtable N°6
Action Recommendations

The African continent has the potential to become the global agriculture powerhouse. The action recommendations of the sixth conference.

Publications
The Role of New Technology in Advancing African Agri-Food Systems
Discussion Paper

The research paper on new technologies and innovation in the African agricultural sector was issued on the occasion of The Africa Roundtable “Growing Africa's Future” 2024 in Berlin.

Newsletter Sign-up

Sign up to the Global Perspectives Initiative's newsletter and stay up to date on our program. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Global Perspectives Initiative
Friedrichstraße 217
10969 Berlin

office@globalperspectives.org
+49 (0) 30 55 57 80 530

Global Perspectives Initiative is a non-profit and independent platform based in Berlin, Germany. Global Perspectives works towards enhanced engagement and responsibility for sustainable development by German and European decision-makers and aims to strengthen African perspectives in policymaking.

To this end, Global Perspectives regularly brings together decision- makers from politics, business, civil society, academia and media to discuss new approaches, provide new impulses and raise awareness on the common opportunities and challenges the two neighboring continents are facing.

©2024 Global Perspectives Initiative gemeinnützige UG (haftungsbeschränkt)