The AVCA Podcast

In this episode of the AVCA Podcast, we sit down with Hortense Mudenge, Chief Executive Officer, Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), to explore how Kigali has emerged as a leading jurisdiction for fund domiciliation in Africa, the policy choices that underpin its growth, and what fund managers should consider when selecting a domicile. Learn more about KIFC: kifc.rw

Explore the untapped potential of Africa’s manufacturing and agriculture sectors. This episode highlights how investor attention has skewed toward technology and digital innovation. Learn about the impact on key sectors such as agro-processing and why the commercial potential make these areas are ripe for exploration. Learn more about Oxano Capital: https://oxano.capital/ Read the Oxano Capital Ca...

This conversation will explore how leading Africa-focused fund managers have successfully raised capital in the current fundraising environment and how their investment strategies are evolving to capture opportunities across the continent. The session will also examine broader themes, including: ▪ The resilience of African private capital ▪ Emerging sectors and opportunities across African markets...

Marsha Wulff, Co-Founding Partner, LoftyInc, shares her insights on investing in Africa's emerging tech ecosystem. She discusses the essence of “ Courageous Capital, ” highlighting the critical role investors must play in supporting not only entrepreneurs but the systems they are building. Read African Ngenuity: An Investor’s Guide to a Vital Tech Ecosystem by Marsha Wulff: https://www.amazon.co.u...

In this episode, we take a closer look "Inside the Raise"  with Isha Doshi, Co-Founder, Partner & CFO, TLG Capital,  about the evolution and transformative potential of private credit in Africa. How can disciplined structuring and impact-focused lending deliver strong returns whilst reshaping global perceptions of African investment risk?

In this episode, we dive  "Inside the Deal"  with  Bruce Nsereko-Lule, General Partner at Seedstars Africa Ventures,  and  Andrew Milne, Group Co-CEO of Kuunda,  to unpack one of Africa’s most compelling fintech success stories.

LeapFrog Investments recently completed its exit from Goodlife Pharmacy, East Africa’s largest retail pharmacy platform, marking a significant milestone in the region's healthcare sector. Under LeapFrog's guidance since 2017, Goodlife expanded from 19 to 150 stores, serving over 2 million consumers annually. The acquisition by CFAO Healthcare, a subsidiary of the Toyota Group, underscores the grow...

In this episode of the AVCA podcast, Rachel More-Oshodi, CEO of ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, shares insights from the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit and discusses trends in Africa's infrastructure landscape. Drawing on findings from AVCA's ' Private Capital Investment in Africa's Infrastructure ' report, Rachel examines how Africa's renewable energy resources pre...

How does storytelling shape the future of African privatecapital? In this episode, Bidemi Zakariyau Akande, Founder of LSF PR,and Yolande Tabo, Investor Relations Principal at Convergence Partners, break down the power of storytelling in investment and business. From building brand trust to attracting capital, they reveal how the right narrative can be a game-changer—and how the wrong one can be c...

What does it take to build global tech companies from Africa? In this episode, Mikael (Mika) Hajjar, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at P1 Ventures, shares how his firm identifies exceptional founders in unexpected places. With US$50 million deployed across 34 companies, including Yassir, Raenest, and Nuitée, P1 Ventures combines data-driven insights with a boots-on-ground presence across Cairo, L...

In this episode of The AVCA Podcast , we are joined by Brian Waswani Odhiambo, Partner at Novastar Ventures, and Ross Strike, Head of M&A and Investor Relations at Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint, for a conversation about building category-defining companies in Africa. The discussion explores what it takes to create lasting value for everyday consumers and examines what lies ahead for both or...

The Role of Private Capital in Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Potential In this episode, we talk to Jerry Parkes, Chief Executive Officer at Injaro Investments, about investing in agriculture and supporting smallholder farmers in Africa. Jerry also emphasises the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration to develop long-term solutions for Africa's sustainable growth. Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠AVCA Cor...

Driving SME Success in Africa: Tech-Forward Portfolio and Gender 3.0 with Alitheia Capital In this episode, we talk to ‘Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Director and Co-Founder at Alitheia Capital, about gender smart strategies driving alpha and her forthcoming Gender 3.0 fund. ‘Tokunboh also reflects on how gender lens investing has become more mainstream in the private capital landscape over the past...

The role of DFIs in mobilising private capital in Africa During AVCA Week in Johannesburg, we sat down with Chris Chijiutomi , Managing Director and Head of Africa at British International Investment (BII), to discuss BII’s longstanding partnership with South Africa as a provider of patient, long-term capital, and the DFI’s role in mobilising capital to solve development challenges in Africa. Subs...

Driving sustainable and impactful growth in Africa's private capital landscape This conversation was recorded at the 20th Annual AVCA Conference in Johannesburg, in April 2024. We sat down with Philipp Hein, CFA, Head of Private Equity Africa and Global Climate Investments at DEG , to discuss the merits of the private capital landscape in Africa; DEG winning the ‘Enabler’ award in the LP categ...

In this interview AVCA and ⁠Edmund Higenbottam⁠, Managing Director, ⁠ Verdant Capital⁠ explore the critical role of mezzanine and private credit as an emerging asset class, their strategic function in bridging funding gaps, and the ongoing discussion surrounding the uptake of their adoption. 

Join us as Angela Mwenda, Associate Director, IBIS, uncovers the crucial role ESG plays in supporting LPs and GPs, providing a comprehensive guide to harnessing opportunities while ensuring sustainable and responsible investment practices in the diverse and evolving African landscape.  

In this episode we are joined by Samantha Pokroy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sanari Capital as we delve into the dynamic world of private equity in Africa, focusing on its transformative impact on family-owned businesses across the continent. Join us as we explore Sanari’s unique expertise in strategies for scaling family enterprises, and the pivotal role they play in Africa’s journey to...

In this discussion we will explore the case for forestry as an asset class, venturing across the African continent to examine its wider impact. Join us for a crucial conversation about the transformative potential of forestry management across Africa, alongside Charles Groom, Investment Director: Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Forestry, British International Investment, and Paul Ohaga, Director o...

In this podcast, Ijeoma Emezie-Ezigbo, Partner & Head of Transaction Services at KPMG West Africa sits with Abiola Ojo-Osagie, Senior Partner, AfricInvest, who covers Anglophone West Africa, to discuss behind-the-scene experiences and insights from a recently concluded investment in a neighborhood one-stop fast-growing retail supermarket chain in Nigeria; as part of the KPMG Deal Advisory Podc...

Following the  500 Global Rise Report,  AVCA speaks with  Mareme Dieng, Africa Lead, 500 Global,  to explore the transformative global technology landscape and ‘Rise Economies’ expected to outperform China and U.S. Join us to delve into platform shifts, economic positioning, and sectoral advancements.

In this podcast we speak with Darena Ventures to discuss their strategy as an ‘impact-focused’ fund rather than impact fund, and the importance of investing in undeserved founders, including women and entrepreneurs from underserved regions diving into the 'Who?', 'Why?' and 'How?', and the consequences of inaction.

In this episode, we speak with Nick Allen, Managing Partner, Savant, a trailblazing venture capital firm, and explore their recent investments in cutting-edge sectors. We'll gain insights into the company's evolution over its impressive 20-year tenure and uncover Savant's Green Economy-Focused Fund, addressing the need for sustainable innovation in today's rapidly changing world. 

In celebration of World Freedom Day, join AVCA and Aly El Shalakany, Managing Partner, Acasia Ventures as we explore the critical intersection of finance, ethics, and freedom, shedding light on how private investment can address pressing global issues, including poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability, which are all key issues in the today’s climate. We delve into the principles of i...

AVCA speaks with Wanjohi Ndagu, Pearl Capital Partners, about the challenges, strategies, and transformative potential of narrowing the funding gap in agriculture sector in Africa. This episode promises to provide valuable insights into crucial issues into the economic and social impact of private investment in African agriculture.