Forty-three African Investors Sign up for Angel Fair Africa (AFA)

The eighth Angel Fair Africa (AFA), is going to take place on 5 November 2020, so due to the coronavirus pandemic just like with most global events that happened this year will be held virtually with 43 leading global investors from Africa, Europe, US and the Middle East signing up to participate.

The AFA is an event that brings accelerators, incubators and emerging businesses together from Africa to pitch ideas and for entrepreneurs to secure deals with possible investors.

The investors that are participating in the virtual AFA are from Angel Africa List (AAL), Africa Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (AVCA), America Capital Association (ACA), Women-In-Capital (WIC), Viktoria Business Angel Network, Brightmore Capital and more.

Funding is received from Asime Partners and the MSM Property Fund in support of the investors who decided to participate.

In an official press release, Sewu-Steve Tawia, managing director of Asime Partners, explains that AFA is determined to get investors together despite the global pandemic the world is facing,

“We have followed the momentum developed by the event despite the COVID pandemic and are happy to help bring the investor community together for what promises to be the best of its kind event in a virtual environment”.

Selected venture pitch session

Ten ventures have gone through the one-month African Virtual Accelerator (AVA) which brings African entrepreneurs, businesses and partners together to virtually learn from each other through theory, practicals and assignments. The 10 selected ventures are provided the opportunity to pitch their innovations to the investors participating in the AFA.

In addition, the selected ventures are supported by Google, Impact Hub Dakar, CTIC Dakar, MEST Africa, StartupBootcamp Africa, Viable, Adei Institute and iHub.

The current selected ventures that will be pitching this year are:

• Kalpay directed by Ibrahima Kane
• ShopMeAway led by Racine Carr
• AgroInnova, which is guided by Amos Narh
• Kladika by Muthoni Mwangi
• Gift Pesa which is led by Pamela Muriuki
• Ejoobi managed by Simangele Mphahlele
• Kweza by Ropafadzo Musvaire
• Afrijob Network led by Harriet Kariuki
• Curacel by Henry Mascot
• Adi&Bolga led by Abimbola Oladeji.

Racine Sarr, CEO of ShopMeAway, comments in an official press release on the structure of the AVA programme and the impact experts had on the venture.

“Focused and well structured! AVA program made me go through all vital parts of my business again but this time with the help of world-class experts. Unlearning and re-learning super-fast, October has been more hot than usual. Thank you, AVA.”

Abimbola Oladeji of Adi&Bolga explains her excitement to pitch to investors and provides insight into the African Virtual Accelerator.

“AVA was a truly intense month-long accelerator experience, packed with lots of learnings and insight delivered by mentors with diverse backgrounds in the startup ecosystem. I’m grateful to have been selected to be part of this cohort and I’m excited for pitch day next week”.

Musi Skosana, CEO of MSM Property Fund, comments on the noticeable presence of female entrepreneurs in the investment space.

“The increased participation of female investors and entrepreneurs in the event signaled a welcomed change in the state of affairs regarding gender parity and the beginning of a new era of female entrepreneurship”.