Finance

The African Development Bank plans to invest USD 10.5 million in the capital of Seedstars Africa Ventures

The African Development Bank plans to invest USD 10.5 million in the capital of Seedstars Africa Ventures
Thursday, 18 January 2024 14:08

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) agreed on Wednesday that the Bank should take a stake of USD 10.50 million in the capital of Seedstars Africa Ventures S.L.P. venture capital fund to enable it to invest in innovative African businesses with strong growth potential.

The Bank agreed to invest USD 7 million from its ordinary resources and USD 3.5 million from the European Union Boost Africa programme. The investment will allow Seedstars Africa Ventures (SAV) to raise funds, expand its presence in Africa and attract other investors.

Seedstars Africa Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund investing in high-growth companies active across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The fund focuses on businesses that have strong potential, are generating income and tackling key challenges in the market. It mainly targets sub-Saharan Africa, especially markets less well covered by traditional investors, and enjoys a particular focus on French-speaking countries such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Cameroon. However, it also has investments in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

As a venture capital fund of USD 75 million, Seedstars Africa Ventures targets the start-up and launch phases of businesses tackling key constraints in the market. Initial investments are around the  EUR 250,000 mark, followed by additional capital injections of €5 million to support their growth.

SAV focuses on financial inclusion and the technologies that equip businesses (fintech and insurtech); retail sales and logistics platforms that target the online and mobile consumers market; health-related technologies; pre-paid, off-grid energy; and more generally, the adoption of technology in businesses, particularly in the food-processing industry and value chains.

It is estimated that the fund will help create 9,000 full-time jobs, 50% of them for women, and have a significant economic impact.

The fund’s objectives are in line with those of Boost Africa, which aims to invest in innovative start-ups that are growing strongly and having a positive social impact. Its investment strategy will strengthen that of the African Development Bank, which links entrepreneurship, investment and economic growth to poverty reduction and sustainable development. It will also contribute to the Bank’s operational priorities – the High 5 – by supporting start-ups operating in key sectors, such as agriculture, health, industrialization and off-grid energy. Finally, the investments will contribute to strengthening regional integration and improving the lives of people in Africa.

2365 BAD

On the same topic
Metier Capital Growth Fund III invests an undisclosed sum in Watu Group. Watu operates in 8 African markets, with over 2 million loans disbursed since...
Gabon signed a $3 billion deal with Afreximbank to finance priority investments. The move follows a meeting between President Oligui Nguema...
• BCEAO holds key rates, citing stable growth and low inflation• WAEMU GDP grows 6.5%; inflation drops to 0.6% in Q2• Risks persist from insecurity,...
• WEF identifies 37 financial instruments for nature, highlighting 10 as priority solutions delivering both financial returns and ecological outcomes.•...
Most Read
01

From Dakar to Nairobi, Kampala to Abidjan, mobile money has become a lifeline for millions of Africa...

Africa's Boundless Future: How a simple mobile phone became a pocket bank for millions
02

Airtel Gabon, Moov sign deal to share telecom infrastructure Agreement aims to cut costs, boo...

Gabon’s Airtel, Moov to Share Towers Under Govt-Brokered Deal
03

• WAEMU posts 0.9% deflation in July, second month in a row• Food, hospitality prices drop; alcohol,...

WAEMU Region Records Second Straight Month of Deflation, at -0.9% in July 
04

Malawi votes in high-stakes presidential election Tuesday Economic crisis, inflation dominate vot...

Malawi’s Election Puts Incumbent Chakwera to the Test on Inflation and Fuel Shortages
05

Vision Invest invests $700m in Arise IIP, Africa’s largest private infrastructure deal in 202...

Saudi Arabia’s 2025 Shopping List Now Includes Industrial Parks in Africa — With a $700 Million Entry Ticket
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.