For years, the narrative surrounding Africa’s nascent tech scene has centred on the dynamism of its founders. However, a closer look reveals a critical, yet often understated, force propelling the continent’s digital revolution: a diverse and increasingly sophisticated network of angel investors. While successful entrepreneurs turning cheque-writers, such as Paystack’s Shola Akinlade and Flutterwave’s Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, rightly garner attention, they represent just one facet of a much broader trend. From seasoned global tech executives to sector-specific specialists and savvy individuals recognising early-stage potential, a new wave of angel investors is actively shaping Africa’s tech landscape.

Dyson

At the forefront of the angel investing movement stands Esther Dyson, the Swiss-born American investor and technology commentator. Dyson’s commitment to the continent’s tech potential is evidenced by a portfolio arguably unmatched in its breadth among its individual angel investors. Her investments, detailed in her own account of discovering African angel investing, span sectors critical to the continent’s development. From Angaza, providing off-grid solar solutions, to Nomanini, enabling financial inclusion for informal retailers, and Ilara Health, evolving healthcare delivery models, Dyson demonstrates a conviction in ventures tackling fundamental challenges. Her backing extends to diverse sectors including logistics with Trella.app, financial infrastructure through Oradian, and even, with more mixed results, the mobility sector via Swvl. This expansive approach underscores a deep-seated belief in the multifaceted opportunities emerging across African markets.

Soyombo

Following Dyson’s global perspective, Olumide Soyombo exemplifies the growing influence of Africa’s homegrown angel investors deeply embedded within local ecosystems. As a Nigerian tech entrepreneur and founder of Voltron Capital, Soyombo leverages his intimate understanding of the Nigerian tech landscape. His portfolio, numbering over 30 companies, reads as a roll call of Nigerian tech successes, including the now-acquired payments giant Paystack, alongside leading players like savings platform Piggyvest, SME banking innovator Brass, and investment platform Trove. Soyombo’s strategic investments and deep network position him as a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s pre-seed and seed funding environment, nurturing the next generation of national tech champions.

Oyebode

Gbenga Oyebode, a prominent Nigerian lawyer with board experience spanning several African tech companies, including Nasdaq-listed SWVL, represents a further evolution in the continent’s angel investment landscape: the rise of institutional angel investing. While also engaging in direct angel investments in startups like stablecoin payment platform Juicyway, investment platform Bamboo, and fintech Mono, Oyebode channels much of his early-stage capital through TCVP, an early-stage venture capital firm where he is a partner. TCVP stands out as a fund explicitly managed by African entrepreneurs and operators, including Salim Suleman, Karim Anjarwalla, Carisa Graf-Suleman, and Olufemi Oyinsan, bringing deep local knowledge and networks to their investment decisions. TCVP’s portfolio, reflecting Oyebode’s broader investment interests, includes companies across diverse sectors such as Decagon, Terragon Group, SWVL, Moniepoint, Lami, Raenest, etc., demonstrating a strategic approach to deploying capital across the growing African tech landscape through a formalized fund structure.

Adelsbach

Expertise in navigating the nuances of the African market characterises Chris Adelsbach. Recognised for his astute understanding of the ecosystem, Adelsbach has cultivated a portfolio focused on early-stage ventures poised for rapid growth. His investments in digital banking disruptor Kuda Bank, API integration platform OnePipe, B2B e-commerce marketplace Vendease, payroll and HR innovator Awabah, and mobile payments solution DoPay highlight a keen eye for identifying and supporting companies at the critical seed and pre-seed stages. This focus underscores a commitment to building from the ground up, backing founders with the potential to scale significantly.

Petersen

Ryan Petersen, CEO of global logistics giant Flexport, brings a strategic, sector-aligned approach to his African angel investments. Petersen’s portfolio, often interwoven with Flexport’s operational expertise, includes investments in logistics platform Lori Systems, trucking marketplace TopShip, and e-commerce enablers such as Sendbox and ethical sourcing platform Powered by People. Flexport Ventures, the company’s investment arm, complements his personal activity, providing a structured channel to further explore and capitalise on opportunities within Africa’s evolving trade and supply chain infrastructure, reflecting a synergistic approach between operational expertise and investment strategy.

Seibel

Michael Seibel, CEO of Silicon Valley’s influential accelerator Y Combinator (YC), occupies a unique position in the African angel investment landscape. YC’s programme acts as a powerful springboard for African startups, providing access to global capital and mentorship. Under Seibel’s leadership, YC has significantly expanded its reach across Africa, with over 90 startups from the continent passing through its programme since 2016, extending beyond Nigeria into 16 countries. Seibel’s personal investments in companies like investment platform Bamboo, expense management solution Float, and cross-border payments pioneer PayStack reinforce YC’s commitment and his own belief in the potential of African innovation to scale on a global stage.

Kan

Justin Kan, the Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur best known as co-founder of streaming platform Twitch, adds further weight to the influx of global tech expertise into the African angel scene. Kan’s investments in Africa, while diverse, signal a broader interest in high-growth emerging markets. His portfolio includes agri-tech startup Releaf, motorbike ride-hailing and logistics platform SafeBoda, and digital infrastructure provider Anchor, indicative of a focus on scalable, tech-driven solutions addressing fundamental needs across rapidly developing economies.

Johnen

Raffael Johnen, CEO of European online lending platform Auxmoney, brings a transatlantic dimension to African angel investing. Johnen’s investments in edtech platform Edukoya, neobank Kuda, and SME-focused fintech Kippa showcase a particular interest in leveraging technology to bridge gaps in education and financial inclusion within the African context. This European fintech perspective adds to the growing international diversity of capital and expertise flowing into the continent’s tech ecosystem.

Krieg & Robinson

Brandon Krieg and Ed Robinson, founders of US investment app Stash, exemplify the trend of successful tech founders jointly exploring opportunities in Africa. Their collective portfolio, encompassing Edukoya, Casava Insurtech, Kuda Bank, and logistics platform Jerry, suggests a shared investment thesis centred on disruptive financial services and tech-enabled solutions targeting large, underserved African markets. This collaborative approach further broadens the pool of active angel capital.

Eweniyi

The rise of successful African founders reinvesting within their own ecosystems is powerfully demonstrated by Odunayo Eweniyi, co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, Nigeria’s leading digital savings platform. Beyond her operational role, Eweniyi co-founded First Check Africa, a pre-seed fund specifically focused on high-growth tech startups with at least one female co-founder. Her investments in legal tech platform Norebase and edtech startup Klas, amongst others, underscore a commitment not only to financial returns, but also to fostering greater diversity and inclusion within the African tech landscape, actively addressing a recognised imbalance within the sector.

Nailwal

Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of blockchain platform Polygon, represents the growing wave of crypto-wealth entering the African angel investment scene. Nailwal’s investments in companies like crypto exchange Nestcoin, decentralised finance platform Xend Finance, and wifi-sharing network Wicrypt point to a belief in the transformative potential of blockchain technology across the continent. This injection of capital from the web3 space adds a further layer of dynamism and innovation to the funding landscape.

Akinlade & Agboola

Shola Akinlade and Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, the founders of Paystack and Flutterwave respectively, epitomise the virtuous cycle of African tech success. Akinlade, through investments in startups like payroll solution EarniPay and community platform Afropolitan, and Agboola, with investments in insurtech Curacel and e-commerce platform tushop, are directly channeling their hard-earned capital and invaluable operational experience back into the ecosystem from which they emerged. This reinvestment is a critical multiplier effect, fostering further growth and maturity within the African tech sector.

Delingpole

Charlie Delingpole, founder and CEO of ComplyAdvantage, a global anti-financial crime technology company, exemplifies sector-specific angel investing in Africa. Delingpole’s investments, including in Finclusion Group and Stitch API, reveal a targeted interest in financial technology and infrastructure, with a notable geographic focus on South African startups. This specialised approach highlights the increasing sophistication and segmentation of the African angel investment landscape.

A Maturing Ecosystem Embraces Diverse Capital

The growing ranks of diverse angel investors in Africa’s booming technology sector signify a crucial evolution. Beyond the well-documented challenges of accessing larger venture capital rounds, these individuals are providing essential early-stage funding, alongside invaluable mentorship and networks, for the next generation of African tech companies. As this ecosystem continues to mature, the increasingly diverse and sophisticated angel investor network will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping a more robust and globally competitive African tech future.

Discover over 400 other angel investors targeting Africa’s technology space HERE