Circle
How to Untap the African Venture Market
Experience Exchange & Best Practices for (Co-)Investments
Circle: 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
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.
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