From September 9 to 13, 2024, Oxford University’s Saïd Business School will host a select group of 44 prominent venture capital (VC) fund managers from across Africa and tech investors focusing on African markets. This exclusive event, part of the Africa Venture Finance Programme (AVFP), aims to strengthen and expand Africa’s burgeoning tech investment sector.
Funded by the European Union through Boost Africa and the AfricaGrow Technical Assistance Facility, the programme represents a significant investment in the continent’s venture capital landscape. The initiative is backed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW, underscoring a collaborative effort to bolster Africa’s investment ecosystem.
Attendees include representatives from well-known VC firms such as Partech, AfricInvest, TLcom, Norssken, and Speedinvest, alongside a notable contingent of female fund managers. This diverse participation highlights a growing commitment to gender inclusion in high-level investment roles. The programme’s focus is on equipping these managers with the skills and insights necessary to foster impactful and sustainable investments in early and growth-stage technology companies.
The week-long event will feature a series of in-depth sessions and workshops led by renowned investors and technology experts. Notable figures include Khaled Ben Jilani of AfricInvest, Keet van Zyl of Knife Capital, and Ido Sum of TLcom. Participants will also benefit from interactions with representatives from development banks and international organizations, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and British International Investment (BII), among others.
Aunnie Patton Power, Programme Director at Saïd Business School, emphasized the significance of the programme: “The African Venture Finance Programme exemplifies our commitment to supporting the growth of emerging leaders in the tech investment space. Our deep connections with the African continent are reflected in our students, alumni, and faculty, and we are proud to contribute to this vibrant ecosystem.”
Martin Ewald, Lead Portfolio Manager for Impact Investments at Allianz Global Investors, noted, “AfricaGrow is dedicated to catalyzing private capital into the African venture capital ecosystem. Our technical assistance programs are designed to empower local first-time funds and extend our impact beyond our immediate portfolio.”
The Africa Venture Finance Programme will also host workshops by the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa and the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa (IYBA) initiative, supported by the EU, to enhance coordination between investment funds and technology companies.
Boost Africa and AfricaGrow aim to play a transformative role in Africa’s start-up ecosystem by investing in and providing technical support to VC funds. This unique event at Oxford Saïd Business School is a crucial platform for sharing knowledge, building networks, and advancing venture funding practices across the continent for these African tech investors.