Acha Leke

Dear African governments, The traditional methods of attracting investors have become not only excessively expensive but also increasingly ineffective. You travel with an entourage of over 50 people, dressed in suits more expensive than those worn by the very lenders you’re seeking money from—often costly loans, at that. You sit in rooms where the real private, high-appetite- for-Africa investors don’t align with or even bother to show up. Government-to-government funding always comes with strings attached. And when you’re fortunate enough to meet genuine private investors, instead of prioritizing your country, you try to exploit them for personal gains. Some of these outdated approaches have run their course. The world has grown smaller, and investors now understand our region and attitude better than we do. The notion that our abundant resources should automatically draw investment is misguided and no longer resonates. Securing investments in today's competitive landscape requires a relational approach, and the sooner we grasp this, the better. I’ve seen firsthand the strategies the UAE employed to attract investments, and African leaders need to abandon the excuse that the Middle East has an advantage because it is a monarchy—absolute nonsense. Politics is no justification for behaving like a pack of wild animals. Our people deserve development and access to basic necessities. Not later but today, now, with every sense of urgency. There are selfless individuals like myself who have built powerful networks and genuinely want to help. But if we’re going to attract the investments we need, it’s time to discard the archaic methods and work alongside those of us who can make a difference. I commend the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, Whether by coincidence or strategy, his approach mirrors that of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed, in attracting investment. In time, prosperity will be the ultimate judge. With the knowledge I’ve gained, the connections I’ve forged, and my unwavering belief in Africa, there is nothing, I repeat absolutely nothing that will stop me and my allies from bringing the necessary investments to the African continent. We may not transform all of Africa, but we will change countless lives for the better. I am not here to solicit for some fly by night associations or those with microwave speed expectations to join my efforts. If my passion for Africa and unwavering self-belief bothers you, guess what—I couldn’t care less. My aim isn’t to land on the Forbes rich list; it’s to make my contribution no matter how small toward Africa’s economic growth. #thankyouMyallies #thankyouUAE #thankyouMiddleEast #thankyouTurkey #Africadeservesmore #Africadevelopmentnow #Africarescuemission

1,817

371 Comments

My recent post has sparked a wave of resonance across so many circles, revealing just how deeply invested we all are in Africa’s economic future. The feedback I received can be grouped into three categories, and I want to address each of them. 1. To the President, 2 former Presidents, government advisors, and ministers who reached out to express your shared frustration—thank you. Your willingness to engage with me, your humility in admitting the flawed FDI approach Africa continues to make without attempting to justify them, and your encouragement for me to continue being a voice of disruption has given me immense hope. I hold deep respect for your openness, and I firmly believe that together, we can reshape the way we attract investment to our continent. Thank you for giving me the strength to keep pushing forward. 2. To the business leaders—CEOs, board chairmen, founders, and entrepreneurs—your responses were an eye-opener. It’s startling how many of you have felt silenced by the fear of repercussions from speaking out. I understand your caution; a single instructive call to a regulatory agency can wreak havoc on everything you’ve built. But to those of you who have now found your voice and an ally in me—thank you for your trust. We can no longer afford to sit quietly on the sidelines. Let’s not just speak up; let’s engage with those in power, present our ideas, and leverage our networks to bring about the changes Africa desperately needs. 3. And then, to the youth—my favorite group—you, the disruptors, the unyielding force, I feel your frustration. To those of you who want to leave the continent, I won’t discourage you. Go. Learn. Equip yourselves with knowledge and resources. But come back. Africa needs you. For those who are determined to stay—your resilience is awe-inspiring. You are the heartbeat of this movement, and your belief in the potential of our continent is everything. Know this: there are many of us in positions of influence who are ready and willing to walk this journey with you. Africa’s economic potential is unparalleled, and I urge you—don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. You see the mistakes of our leaders clearly. Be the generation that corrects them. Interrogate policies. Be bold. Get involved. Speak up. Your collective voice will shake the foundations of this continent and inspire the change we all crave. Africa will rise when we, as a people, are humble enough to admit our faults and bold enough to correct them—without delay. #thenewAfrica #newthinking #hope

514

67 Comments

The African M&A landscape is evolving rapidly. Staying ahead of the curve requires a deep understanding of market trends and regulatory changes. #mergersandacquisition #mergersandacquisitions #stockmarket #mergers #finance #investment

8

Of course, with its huge challenges, Africa represents massive investment opportunities. Is it without risk? Clearly not. In fact it is precisely for that risk that returns are attractive. Anyone avoiding risk should keep their money in the bank. There, they get risk-free returns. We need to get rid of the "10%" phenomenon in terms of which the political elites demand 10(or more)% kickbacks from potential investors. In certain instances, the politicians will demand shareholding for members of their families before any investment can be approved. Part of the problem is that in Africa, leaders get into office and then seek to become rich (illicitly of course) while in more established jurisdictions people make money and then seek political office. Yes the point about political leaders taking their money out of the continent is valid. That has nothing to do with the continent being unsuitable for investment but everything to do with the sources of the leaders' wealth. If the money is ill-gotten, as is often the case, then the leaders want to stash their money where it cannot easily be recovered by their successors. Those who make their money legally have no problem reinvesting on the continent. It makes perfect business sense. The AfDB President is correct therefore. There are things we could and must do as a continent to make ourselves even more attractive as an investment destination. I am pretty sure that the President agrees fully. Should investors wait till the environment is perfect? Of course not. By then, the opportunities may be gone.

5

1 Comment

Four and a half years ago, I collaborated with Tayo Akinyemi and Osarumen Osamuyi to publish one of the most comprehensive research reports on the state of African VC: Chasing Outliers, Why Context Matters for Early-Stage Investing in Africa. We interviewed 100 GPs, LPs, and entrepreneurs in the African VC ecosystem and published the report in Jan 2020, arguably the peak of the frothy VC bubble worldwide. I re-read the report again recently, and what we concluded then seems even more true today. As is becoming increasingly clear, VC has a number of underlying assumptions baked in that hasn't always been well-understood. I describe VC as a racecar. It takes you from point A to point B really fast, but it assumes that: (1) you have smooth road; (2) you have a pit crew; (3) you have race organizers who've set and will reinforce mutually-agreed-upon rules; (4) you're wearing a helmet and you've been training for the G-forces on those turns ;). But what if there isn't even a road yet -- let alone a smooth one? Why are we spending so much time talking about high-performance tires? VC is really a very specific financial instrument for a very specific set of circumstances, and all too often, is too broadly applied beyond its designed use. I'm not hating on VC - I'm actually someone who launched an African VC fund last year as I believe African fintech, post-froth post-flavor-of-the-month, is one sector that is well suited for VC. I'm just saying don't put a racecar in an off-road safari race... or a Nairobi rush-hour race. And on some occasions, the VC opportunity is to build the road. Still true today: Build out the right team working on the right strategy - and then utilize the right funding structure to align with it. Product-market fit is critical, but so is strategy-funding fit. We at Verdant Frontiers have raised and deployed $100M+ of project financing, bank debt, mezzanine debt, holding company permanent capital, and venture capital into Africa. Each instrument serves its designed purpose. I'd venture to say the report is just as relevant today as it was in 2020 - read the executive summary of the report in the link below.

95

9 Comments

The StarLink versus African telecos saga is not a battle between a wealthy US billionaire and beleaguered African infrastructure. Rather, it is another chapter in the age-old book, Innovative Entrepreneur on-a-mission versus we've-got-ours Institutions. Hundreds of millions of digitally stranded youth finally have an opportunity to thrive, thanks to African-born Elon, who never forgot them. See Henry Nzekwe's new article, https://lnkd.in/gCNZf69e

36

1 Comment

Have you ever wondered what it takes to back some of the best companies in Africa? Look no further than Kola A., a Venture Capitalist and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in the African investment landscape. In a recent episode of my podcast, The Grinders Table, Kola shared his journey from corporate finance to angel investing and his perspectives on the evolving startup ecosystem in Africa. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: 1. The Evolution of the African Investment Landscape Kola's journey from building a startup to becoming a pivotal investor in the African ecosystem is a testament to the growth and dynamism of the market. He reflects on the early days when VC was quite expensive, to the current state where local capital is increasingly fueling the ecosystem's growth. 2. The Human Side of Venture Capital One of the most profound insights from Kola was his approach to investing with Ventures Platform Fund - "it's not just about the potential returns, but also about the people behind the companies". Kola's philosophy is clear: building great companies doesn't require you to be a jerk, and there's immense value in fostering a positive culture and treating people with respect. 3. Balancing Act: Family, Work, and Personal Passions Kola's candid sharing of how he manages his demanding schedule while being present for his family and indulging in his love for the arts was inspiring. He debunks the myth of work-life balance and instead advocates for deliberate planning and prioritization. Kola's experiences, insights, and wisdom are invaluable for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of startups and venture capital in Africa. Listen to the full conversation here - https://lnkd.in/efZTHcnQ

29

4 Comments

The success of any start-up depends on; The Market, The Business Model & The Team. These 3 ingredients ignite the bonfire. At Broad Capital Advisory, we strongly believe in passionate founders...folks doing impactful things across several sectors. We remain bullish on Africa. If you seek Alpha then Africa is the place to be. Congrats to Futa, Grace Jerolgan Nganakala, Daniel Dang, and the team for staying the course. #Girlpower #Womenintech Yemi Keri

7

3 Comments

🌍 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

1,280

226 Comments

𝐍𝐞𝐰 YESS Impact 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Kojo Annan: 𝐔𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Kofi Annan'𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲: 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of 𝐊𝐨𝐣𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧, a serial entrepreneur and investor deeply committed to Africa's growth and development. Kojo has been instrumental in establishing ventures across various sectors including infrastructure, technology, sport, education, and biotech. He passionately leverages business and sports for social impact, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐊𝐨𝐟𝐢 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 🌍 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Growing up in Geneva as the son of Kofi Annan, and how this unique multicultural environment shaped his worldview. 🔝 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: Starting his career in Lagos, Nigeria, and how the entrepreneurial spirit of the city influenced his career path. 💡𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: How digitalization is creating new opportunities in Africa and the role of Kojo's company, Vector Global, in fostering these developments. ⚽ 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The transformative power of sports in African communities, through engagements with Vevey FC, the Global Institute For Sports, and Africa10. 🤝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲: The best life advice from his father, Kofi Annan, and key lessons Kojo hopes to pass on to the next generation. 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐊𝐨𝐣𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 (𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬). Production: Regina Alves da Silva Sponsored by Admicasa-Gruppe #KojoAnnan #BusinessInnovation #SocialImpact #Africa #KofiAnnan #ad #Entrepreneurship #YouthEmpowerment #Digitalization #SportsForGood YESS Circle, Serge Aerne, Danny Schlumpf

181

13 Comments

🌍 Your Role in Africa’s Transformation: Seize the Opportunity Today 🌍 Africa is at the cusp of a remarkable transformation. With its young population, rapid urbanization, and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, the continent offers unprecedented opportunities for investors ready to make a difference. As the co-founder and CEO of OLYMPIUS INVESTMENT , I believe that every investor has a unique role to play in shaping this new era. Here's how: 1️⃣ Empower Local Visionaries Africa’s entrepreneurs are creating innovative solutions to solve pressing challenges. By supporting these visionaries, you’re not just investing in businesses—you’re investing in the future of communities and economies. 2️⃣ Drive Sustainable Growth Your investments can fuel sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and technology, laying the foundation for long-term economic development. The impact of your capital extends far beyond financial returns—it builds resilience and sustainability. 3️⃣ Be a Catalyst for Change When you invest in Africa, you’re part of a movement that is rewriting global narratives. You’re showing the world that Africa is not just a land of challenges but a land of opportunity, innovation, and growth. At OLYMPIUS INVESTMENT , we bridge the gap between investors and Africa’s most promising opportunities. Together, we can create lasting change while achieving exceptional returns. 🌟 The time to act is now. Be the catalyst for Africa’s rise. 👉 Let’s connect and explore how you can shape Africa’s future. #AfricaRising #InvestInAfrica #SustainableGrowth #OLYMPIUSINVESTMENT

1

#Palestinian #startups Great news for Palestinian entrepreneurs, We’re excited to announce Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) aiming to support the Palestinian startups and empower early-stage entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Looking forward to working with the amazing entrepreneurs and startups. Orange Corners empowers young entrepreneurs with resources to scale their businesses, create jobs and tackle local social challenges. 🌍 As an extension of the incubation and acceleration programmes, OCIF bridges the financing gap by enabling investments in entrepreneurs who are often considered too high-risk by traditional funding sources. In Palestine #OCIF will be managed by Intersect - انترسكت a non-profit business incubator that provides startups with the resources they need to create cutting-edge solutions. For OCIF, they will partner with Ibtikar Fund and the Bank of Palestine Ibtikar Fund invests in Palestinian entrepreneurs both from within Palestine and from the broader MENA region. Their focus? Tech and tech-enabled startups that are scalable and that serve a #MENA #region or #global need. #congratulations to all #winners

8

1 Comment

Capital deployment in Africa's #education sector has tripled from the last decade, reflecting a significant surge in investment. Explore our latest analysis on Africa’s evolving #deal landscape and key #investment insights for operators and investors.  L.E.K. Consulting #LEKEducation #Educationconsulting #Africaeducation #Africa #privateequity #EdTrends

42

Important to remember who does what here. The MPC makes decisions in terms of the policy and SARB executes. The MoF sets the monetary policy framework (aka the inflation target), which would require cabinet discussion and engagement of and some level of agreement by a broad range of stakeholders. The points that Mamokete Lijane, CFA makes are compelling and her expertise not disputed, but it would be essential to hear sectoral viewpoints such as those of construction, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, BPO, retail and finance on the dynamic impacts it would have on their sectors.

4

1 Comment