As the year comes to a close, we look back on an amazing 2019 where we have seen a continued growth in early stage investing in Africa (with 20 new Africa-focused VC funds!), with the ABAN community positioned at the heart of much of this activity.
In 2019, more than ever before, we have been proud to be part of a community of like-minded individuals who come together with a shared purpose of building a better Africa through investments in early stage ventures on the continent.
Below we've shared some of our highlights from this year, plus some vision for 2020.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2019
KEY PARTNERSHIPS SUPERCHARGING 2019
Much of the growth we have experienced in 2019 has been a direct result of the partnerships ABAN has forged with key ecosystem players, leading to the development of several major new programs which are now accelerating activity.
Afrilabs-Catalyst Match Fund Inpartnership with Afrilabs, ABAN launched 'Catalyst', a brand new programme designed to serve as an angel investor matching fund for start-ups in innovation hubs.
India Angels Network-IAEIS Inpartnership with the India-Africa Economic Forum and India Angels Network (IAN), ABAN hosted the first India Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit in Mauritius.
VC4A-#AESIS2019 Summit Inpartnership with VC4A, ABAN hosted our 6th annual African Early Stage Investor Summit (#AESIS2019) with attendance by Angels from nearly all member networks.
Plus, in partnership with several other partners (including the AfDB, ITC, EBAN, WBAF, Briter Bridges and more), ABAN has been able to extend its reach, hosting multiple network events, masterclasses, roundtables, research initiatives and various other training events across the continent.
NEW NETWORKS ESTABLISHED IN 2019
Ending 2019, ABAN now represents 48 active angel networks, which represent 34 African countries. This year we welcomed 10 new networks to the ABAN community, with several ongoing discussions for creating more networks in the New Year.
NEW ANGEL NETWORKS IN 2019 - Angel4Africa[Casablanca, Morocco] - Dakar Network Angels [Senegal] - Mali Business Angel Network [Bamako] - Benin Business Angels Network
- Botswana Business Angels Network
If you are a Business Angel investing in entrepreneurs in any African city, we encourage you to find, engage and inspire at least 3 other like-minded individuals to join you (and us) in building a community in support of a better Africa.
SETTING OUR SIGHTS ON 2020
Building on the momentum we established this year, we project further growth in 2020 in several areas.
Our primary focus will be to continue increasing investment in early-stage entrepreneurship across Africa, and growing the number of angel investors working with innovation hubs to support local entrepreneurs in building commercially successful startup ventures across the continent.
In addition to this, we will continue to work with development partners and governments to establish Angel Investment as a development asset class that they can use for economic development - especially at the state level.
Furthermore, we will continue to pursue new opportunities to add new partners and new matching fund mechanisms, supporting new Member Networks, Annual Bootcamps, Masterclasses, new Regional Initiatives and of course #AESIS2020. For more information on some of the partnerships and opportunities we are exploring for 2020, click here.
Thank you again for great partnerships, and wishing you a fantastic 2020!
On behalf of the ABAN team and the ABAN community,
