Basil M.

🌍 Exciting Opportunities to Drive Impact in Africa – Join Us! 🌍 As a Senior Advisor at The Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi for Strategic Alliances and Policies, I’m thrilled to announce four game-changing initiatives that are poised to make a significant impact on Africa’s development and strengthen its economic ties with the UAE and the Middle East. We are actively seeking passionate individuals and organizations from across the globe to collaborate with us on these visionary projects: 1. Establishment of an Africa-Focused Venture Capital Fund: We are launching a dedicated VC fund to invest in innovative startups across Africa, providing them with the resources and support to scale in their respective countries and potentially establish a presence in the UAE. This fund will be a key driver of economic growth, fostering cross-continental collaboration and innovation. 2. The Sheikh Zayed Africa Leadership Program: This program is designed to address Africa’s leadership crisis by instilling the people first and urgency of development principles of Sheikh Zayed in young African politicians. We will provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and financial support to emerging leaders committed to positive change and people-first governance. Multi-party democracy can no more be an excuse, there is a way around it. 3. Africa Presidential Farms Initiative (Presfarm Africa): In collaboration with African presidents, we are establishing model farms to promote agricultural renaissance, agro-tourism, and export opportunities. The project will help secure off-taker agreements with Middle Eastern supermarkets and food distributors, while preserving the legacies of Africa’s great leaders through agriculture. 4. Collaboration with the Global Wealth Forum for it Decade of Action for Africa Project: The project seeks to commit 10 years of the forums collective force to address the developmental disparities between Africa and the West through targeted impact investment projects. By working with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from the Middle East and around the world, we will mobilize significant resources to support job creation and economic development across Africa. Additionally, through the GWF’s Global Wealth Fund, we will collaborate with governments in Africa to market key projects to hard-to-reach investors, ensuring that Africa’s most promising opportunities receive the attention and investment they deserve. If you or your organization is interested in being part of these transformative projects, kindly express your interest via mail at [email protected] Let’s collaborate to turn this vision into reality and make a difference where it’s needed most. #AfricaDevelopment #Leadership #AgroTourism #ImpactInvestment #VentureCapital #GlobalCollaboration Amb. Dunston P

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From $0 to $1.4BN in transactions: That's what our portfolio company Pemo achieved in just two years after launch. 🍒🚀 We’ve been supporting Pemo from the beginning and are proud to continue supporting them in their latest financing round. Pemo's founders Ayham Gorani, Valerie Konde, Alessandro Durì, and Saed Ghorani - have built the leading spend management platform in UAE, now serving 4,000+ companies. Their solution combines corporate cards, invoice payments, and AI-driven accounting - built for the region's unique needs. Since launch, Pemo has transformed expense management from spreadsheets to smart workflows. We're continuing to back Pemo because they're the clear category leader in an underserved market. While global platforms expand horizontally, MENA needs solutions built for local requirements - exactly what this team delivers. More here: https://lnkd.in/d6qH8arP Cc: Filip Felician Dames Maximilian Brückner Jasper Masemann Dinika Mahtani Sophia Bendz Alexander Langholz-Baikousis

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🌍 The first half of 2024 has witnessed significant shifts in the African venture investment landscape, marked by notable trends across various industries. 💳 FinTech maintained its position as the most funded industry in Africa for the fourth consecutive year, securing 48% of total funding in H1 2024. Despite its leading role, the sector faced a 59% year-on-year (YoY) decline in funding, reflecting broader shift towards other sectors like Agriculture, Logistics & Healthcare 🛳 Transport and Logistics (T&L) sector recorded a 36% YoY increase in funding, highlighting the critical role of logistics and transportation infrastructure in supporting Africa’s economic development, especially in enhancing trade and connectivity within and across borders. >>> Get a closer look on the dynamics shaping Africa's Ventur Capital: https://lnkd.in/eKApn3dz #Africa #Trade #AfCFTA #Logistics #SupplyChain #Fintech #Trends #AfricaWeWant

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Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi lays out clearly the mutual benefits of #UAE’s #Africa strategy, and we couldn’t agree more with the vision and action that is underway! As an #impact #investment company in #Dubai our team at KI Africa see first-hand the outcomes of the synergy being developed between UAE and countries across Africa where deep and strategic investments are being made. From cashews in Côte d’Ivoire to energy and mining in Zambia, to agriculture in Uganda, and logistics at all points between - UAE is taking the long term, patient capital approach to building a strong relationship that focuses on all the core areas to guide sustainable growth across Africa, with emphasis on creating a strong middle class and infrastructure that lays a foundation for generational growth. We are thrilled to be here in UAE working with partners daily on our own investments across Africa, and to see the commitment and action from so many government and private sector participants in contributing to an amazing future for so many communities and sectors across Africa.

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Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala-backed G42's progress continues to be impressive, raising $1.5 billion from Microsoft aiming to bolster the collaboration between the two entities, facilitating the introduction of Microsoft AI #technologies and #educational initiatives in the UAE and other global markets. Additionally, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors as part of the expanded partnership. - The partnership will focus on enabling organizations of various sizes in new markets to utilize #AI and #cloud technologies while adhering to top-tier standards for safety and security - Together, G42 and Microsoft aim to extend advanced AI and digital infrastructure to nations in the #MiddleEast, #CentralAsia and #Africa - The collaboration also includes a commitment to developing a #skilled and diverse AI #workforce. This includes a US$1 billion investment in a development fund aimed at nurturing developers, which will enhance innovation and competitiveness in the #UAE and the broader #MENA region #unitedarabemirates #sovereignwealthfunds #abudhabi #uae https://lnkd.in/gJ9hj88N

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I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel titled “Raising Money: What VCs Are Looking For In Africa Now” with Christine Namara of Flat6Labs, Hope Ditlhakanyane of Founders Factory Africa and moderated by Yandile Nuku of Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) at the Forbes 30 under 30 Summit Africa. Some of the key takeaways were: - Africa has a great supply of amazing founders solving the most critical problems across the continent. - We need more diverse capital flowing into the ecosystem, locally and from the global west - We need to own our narrative and sell our stories better - Beyond access to capital, structures and systems have to be put in place to ensure founder success - Liquidity! This is what attracts more capital.

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Ditch the Spreadsheets! Cloud-Based Banking for Microfinance, SACCOS & Investment Groups . Click https://bit.ly/3EuIY5W to connect with this new Opportunity Ref: AIDB-017276. Executive Summary Provided by Client: Kanzu Banking is a mobile and web application that enables Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) and to manage their portfolios easily and securely. This software meticulously takes care of all the record-keeping and allows these institutions to focus on growing their money. It offers a range of features including customer management, loan management, savings management, accounting, reporting, and much more. Kanzu Banking will empower your SACCO with the tools needed to efficiently manage member transactions, monitor financial performance, and enhance decision-making processes. Kanzu Banking’s key features include:Member Management: Efficiently manage member information, accounts, and transactions, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records. Deposits and Withdrawals: Facilitate seamless deposit and withdrawal transactions, allowing members to easily access their funds. Loans and Interest Calculation: Streamline the loan management process, including loan origination, disbursement, repayment, and interest calculation. Financial Reporting: Generate comprehensive reports on member accounts, loan portfolios, financial statements, and many more, providing insights for decision-making and regulatory compliance. All reports are self-customized by the SACCO according to how the SACCO needs them. Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrate with third-party systems such as payment gateways, other banking platforms, and credit reference bureaus, enhancing operational efficiency. Share Management: A share is an indivisible unit of capital, expressing the ownership relationship between the company and the shareholder. With this Module you can manage; Share purchase, share transfer, share liquidation, Share revaluation, and share dividends. Loan Management: Ability to track loan process from application to disbursement and capture all processes for loan recoveries Robust Accounting: Configure a chart of accounts along with corresponding general ledger codes. Ability to record debits/credits against appropriate general ledger codes and also, define funding sources. Group management: Oversee smaller sub-groups within the larger organization to enhance accountability, facilitate effective communication, and encourage mutual support among members SACCO members will have access to Account Access: Check account balances, view transaction history, and statements, and track savings and loan accounts. Transact: Make savings deposits, loan repayments, and initiate withdraws Loan Applications: Apply for loans, check loan eligibility, and receive notifications on loan approvals and disbursements. Notifications and Alerts: Receive real-time notifications and alerts regarding account activities, loan repayments, deposits, withdraws, loan due remin

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Over the past seventeen years, Alitheia Capital has played a pivotal role in the evolution of Africa's tech ecosystem, employing both private equity and venture capital strategies to support businesses across the continent. Today, our portfolio spans 20 African countries with over $250 million in assets under management, including investments in groundbreaking companies such as Paga Group Ltd, SEAMFIX, OmniBiz Africa, Jetstream Africa, Haul247 (Google BFF’AFRICA 22), MAX.ng, Lidya, Rentoza, SparkMeter, Lupiya, and many others. As the African tech sector has grown from its nascent stages to a key driver of economic development, we have remained committed to shaping and supporting this dynamic landscape. From backing fintech pioneers to championing gender-lens investing and advocating for increased local investment, our mission has always been to lead impact-driven investments that create meaningful change. As Africa's startup ecosystem continues to expand, the importance of strong leadership, intentional investment, and diverse perspectives is more critical than ever. In this Equity Merchant podcast interview with Chimgozirim Nwokoma of Techpoint Africa, I reflect on this incredible journey and share insights on the opportunities ahead. Read the web article here: https://lnkd.in/d7A-AFgC Listen to the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/dH92a4qE #Innovation #Leadership #ImpactInvesting #AfricaTech #DiversityMatters

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 MENA startup funding overview: April's major deals amid a decline Turkey and Kenya saw major funding rounds, and Saudi Arabia continued to be a frontrunner in the region thanks to its investment in large-scale funding. Key takeaways: — Funding in MENA declined by 60% year-over-year in Q1 2024. — Turkey and Kenya saw major funding rounds: $65 mln and $47.5 mln with fintech and agriculture projects. — Saudi Arabia remains a frontrunner in the region thanks to its investment in large-scale funding. — The Egyptian government has partnered with Italy to create an AI center in Cairo and launch a GovTech innovation lab to support startup development and digitalize government services. I believe that the decline in funding is a temporary setback and that the region is still poised for significant growth in the coming years. The strong fundamentals of the region, including its young and growing population, increasing internet penetration, and government support for innovation, will continue to attract investors and drive the growth of the startup ecosystem.

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Today marks an exciting milestone as we become a truly global firm. Our iconic logo, the Golden Gate Bridge, was selected to represent our mission of bridging Silicon Valley with the rest of the world. We chose Qatar as the HQ for our new MENA fund because, like Singapore, Qatar has been building its economic prowess and on an international scale. With supportive government programs, a strong push for economic diversification, a pro-business environment, and substantial investment in the startup space, Qatar closely mirrors the environment we saw when we first started in Singapore over a decade ago. This fund, MENA Fund 1, is the first step in our twenty-year vision for the Gulf region. Establishing our MENA headquarters in Doha is more than just a business move; it is a statement of our belief in Qatar as a regional innovation hub. I am confident this announcement will pave the way for many international VCs to follow our lead, just as they did in Singapore. A huge thanks to my partner Michael Lints for his efforts to make this happen. Golden Gate Ventures is very supportive of his exiting move to Doha! And a very big thanks to the support from Hussain Abdulla and Yousuf Al-Jaida 🙇 Alongside our announcement, we have published an extensive report on why we believe Qatar is set to be a regional hub. *Download* a copy of the report “Qatar Rising: Where Ambition and Capital Converge”: https://lnkd.in/eZnrCXCc #venturecapital #mena #goldengatevc #goldengateventures #qatar #gcc #innovation #startups #founders #entrepreneurs #funding #vc https://lnkd.in/e4y9WX_W

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This African investor funded the growth of the world’s 2nd strongest banking brand. Built the largest Africa-focused private investment firm. And manages $4+ billion in assets.   Meet, Helios Investment Partners. The Prototype Helios is the investor behind some of Africa’s biggest deals. Connecting capital to African talent and businesses. In 2007.  Fresh from raising its first fund. Helios was sitting on $305 million. They were hunting for deals. Deals in big markets. Deals with high growth and returns. They got wind of this bank. A fast-rising bank. That was shaking up Kenya. Unlike other banks in the markets then. This bank had carved out a niche for itself. As a demand-driven bank. Catering to the unbanked population. It was a champion of the underdog. Giving loans to small and medium businesses. That had been ignored by every bank who should have cared It was a great turnaround story. Having grown from a failing building society in 1994. To a full-grown commercial bank by 2004. Thanks to its visionary leader. One James Mwangi.  Who had turned from bank account holder to its CEO. Equity Bank Limited ticked all the boxes for Helios. It had good management. Had high growth and high returns. And was in a big market with room for more growth. Helios was ready to pounce on the deal. And then bam. The unexpected happened. The Global Financial Crisis in late 2007 ensued. Sending shock waves around the world. Investors the world over panicked. Helios got caught in the crossfire. Since the investors in their fund were foreign. They had to decide on whether to move on or not from the deal. To add fuel to the fire.  Kenya had just had an election.  Triggering a Post-Election crisis. Helios was caught in a dilemma. It was either they backed off from the deal. Or go against the current and do the deal. Helios decided on the latter. Investing $179M for a  25% share of Equity Bank.  The largest private equity investment in Kenya at the time. Come 2008. With Helios help. Equity Bank acquired Uganda MicroFinance Limited for $25M. It’s first investment outside of Kenya. They also launched mobile banking services. And expanded their operations into South Sudan.  In a move that ushered their regional expansion. Helios joined the board of the bank. And over the next 8 years the governance of the bank improved. With Helios lending a helping hand in human resource capacity building. Helios cashed out big time. Exiting the investment in 2015.  With one of its best returns to date. Today, Equity Bank is East and Central Africa’s biggest bank. With 📈 Total Assets of $13+  billion  💰 Deposits of 9+ billion. 💼 16+ million customers in 7 countries. What are your thoughts on this story? Let me know in the comments. 👇 This week in my newsletter, I dived deep into Helios' meteoric rise. Grab it in your inbox here 💌 https://lnkd.in/d-mDKYRT PS- Helios' investing playbook on Africa is the best I've ever seen.

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