The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is a government-owned investment management company based in Pretoria, South Africa, established in 1911. As the only firm in the country that focuses exclusively on the public sector, PIC manages assets for a range of public entities, including pension funds, social security funds, and development funds. With its operations comparable to those of private sector asset managers, PIC is recognized as one of the largest and most successful investment managers in Africa. The organization employs a combination of both internal and external fund managers to oversee its investments, ensuring a diverse and strategic approach to asset management. The governance of PIC is overseen by a board of directors, which is responsible for directing the management of the fund's assets.

Kepple Africa Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2019 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm specializes in providing seed-stage and early-stage financing to startups across Africa, focusing primarily on sectors such as information technology, fintech, and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets. By supporting innovative companies in these areas, Kepple Africa Ventures aims to contribute to the growth of the African startup ecosystem.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1964 and headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. It aims to support the economic development and social progress of African countries by financing development projects and programs that enhance poverty reduction and foster economic growth. The AfDB comprises three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). The ADF offers concessional loans and grants to low-income regional member countries, along with technical assistance for capacity building and project preparation. The bank also facilitates investments from both public and private sectors, providing a range of financial products, including loans, guarantees, and risk management services, to promote sustainable development across the continent.

International Finance Corporation (IFC), established in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a member of the World Bank Group dedicated to private sector development in developing countries. The organization provides a range of financial and advisory services to foster economic growth across various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and technology. IFC invests in both direct projects and funds, focusing on emerging markets and prioritizing sustainability and inclusive development. It offers a diverse array of financial instruments, such as equity, loans, and quasi-equity products, while adhering to strict investment guidelines that exclude certain industries, such as weapons, tobacco, and gambling. IFC typically invests between $1 million and $100 million, supporting projects that are predominantly privately owned in member countries. The organization does not actively manage portfolio companies but seeks to exit investments through equity sales or public listings, often maintaining equity stakes for eight to fifteen years.

British International Investment is a development finance institution and impact investor based in London, United Kingdom. Established in 1948 and wholly owned by the UK Government's Department for International Development, BII aims to foster long-term economic growth and sustainability in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and South Asia. The institution invests across various sectors, including infrastructure, health, and agribusiness, with a focus on job creation and business development. BII provides financial support through debt, equity capital, and mezzanine financing, both directly and via intermediaries, catering to a wide range of industries such as distribution, education, consulting, logistics, and electronics.

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest in projects that create jobs in emerging markets in sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.

Google for Startups is an initiative designed to support and empower startups globally. Established in 2011 and based in San Francisco, the program offers access to Google's products, resources, and best practices through a vast network of partners and six dedicated Google for Startups Campuses located in major cities such as London, Tel Aviv, and São Paulo. Its mission is to foster entrepreneurial success and create a positive impact on the future. By collaborating with over fifty leading startup organizations, Google for Startups enhances local tech ecosystems and supports startups across more than 135 countries. The program provides financial assistance, exclusive programming, and mentorship opportunities. The Google for Startups Campuses serve as collaborative spaces where startup founders can engage with their peers, access educational resources, and receive training from both Google and local experts. These Campuses offer free workspaces, events, and a vibrant community, enabling entrepreneurs to thrive in their respective industries.

Goodwell Investments BV is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with additional offices in Cape Town, South Africa, and Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 2004, the firm specializes in seed and early-stage investments, primarily focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises in the Fintech sector and other impact sectors, including water, sanitation, health, renewable energy, and affordable housing finance. Goodwell Investments aims to support businesses that provide essential goods and services in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria, as well as in India. The firm typically invests a minimum of €250,000 and seeks to hold these investments for five to ten years while taking minority stakes. In addition to capital investment, Goodwell Investments offers advisory services to its portfolio companies, emphasizing sustainable business practices and social impact alongside financial returns.

Novastar Ventures Ltd is a venture capital firm founded in 2014 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in Lagos, Nigeria, and London, United Kingdom. The firm specializes in seed, start-up, early to late venture, and growth capital investments, primarily focusing on businesses in education, healthcare, agriculture, food, and water sectors. Novastar Ventures targets companies based in East and West Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States, investing amounts between $0.25 million and $8 million. The firm collaborates with entrepreneurs to create impactful solutions that address the needs of underserved markets, aiming to drive meaningful change and improve consumer experiences across various sectors. By fostering innovation and supporting bold business models, Novastar Ventures seeks to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs who are committed to serving the aspiring mass market in East Africa.

KFW DEG offers financing, advice and support to private sector enterprises operating in developing and emerging-market countries. Their customers can rely on their expertise: They can benefit from their market knowledge, their 21 locations worldwide, and their international network. For entrepreneurial success and development.

Proparco is a Paris-based organization established in 1977 that specializes in providing private sector funding for sustainable development initiatives. It focuses on financing and supporting companies and financial institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Proparco targets key development sectors, including infrastructure—especially renewable energy—agriculture, financial institutions, health, and education. The organization aims to enhance the role of private entities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the international community in 2015. By financing projects that create jobs, provide essential goods and services, and combat climate change, Proparco contributes to sustainable economic growth and development. Its financing solutions include loans, guarantees, equity, and quasi-equity options tailored to the needs of the private sector.

Beyond Capital is a nonprofit organization based in New York that focuses on impact investing in for-profit, early-stage companies across East Africa and India. Established in 2009, it aims to enhance the quality of life for consumers in low-income communities by investing in businesses that improve access to healthcare, sanitation, clean energy, agriculture, food security, and financial inclusion. While the organization seeks to achieve market-rate financial returns, its nonprofit structure allows it to prioritize its social mission alongside financial goals, aligning its investments with a commitment to fostering positive social change.

Launch Africa Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2020 and headquartered in Ebene, Mauritius. The firm focuses on addressing the substantial funding gap in the seed and pre-Series A investment landscape across the African continent. By targeting early-stage companies, Launch Africa Ventures aims to support and enhance the growth of startups operating in various sectors throughout Africa, contributing to the development of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.

FMO is a financial investment firm that specializes in financing businesses and projects FMO invests across the agribusiness value chain to enhance food security, support sustainability and promoting inclusive development.

Investec is a specialist bank and asset management company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in South Africa, Australia, and internationally. Established in 1974, it operates through three main divisions: asset management, wealth and investment, and specialist banking. The asset management division delivers active investment products and services to both institutional and individual investors, focusing on global, emerging, and frontier markets across various asset classes. The wealth and investment division offers comprehensive wealth management services, including portfolio management, private office support, and stockbroking, along with investments, savings, pensions, and tax planning for individuals, families, trusts, and charities. Meanwhile, the specialist banking division caters to personal and business clients by providing private banking services, corporate and institutional banking, and corporate advisory services. This includes a range of offerings such as transactional banking, lending, deposits, and investment services for high-net-worth clients, as well as specialized financial services for corporate, government, and institutional clients.

The Baobab Network is a prominent start-up accelerator based in Africa, with offices in Nairobi, South Africa, Nigeria, and London. It focuses on supporting early-stage technology ventures across the continent by connecting them with talent and global investors. The organization provides a range of services, including leadership development, entrepreneurship training, strategy design, and resource planning, all aimed at fostering growth and enhancing revenue for participating businesses. In exchange for equity, The Baobab Network offers financial support and a platform for companies to expand their operations and access vital resources, ensuring they receive real-time guidance to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape.

Eos Capital is a wholly-owned Namibian newly incorporated private equity fund manager that is managing the Allegrow Fund in Namibia. “Eos” means a new dawn in Greek mythology and the company aims to bring new life to portfolio investments through capital and management support which allows them to grow to their full potential.

E4E (“Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs”) specializes in supporting early stage ventures in South Africa from very early stage (pre-series A) to scale up.E4E focus on smart entrepreneurs and business ideas that are great businesses and make a significant contribution to a better (South) Africa.

DOB Equity is a private equity firm specializing in growth capital and buy-and-build strategies in small and medium companies.

Nedbank Limited, founded in 1888 and headquartered in Sandton, South Africa, is a prominent commercial banking institution that offers a comprehensive range of banking and financial services to individuals, small businesses, and government sectors. The bank operates through various segments, including Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, Nedbank Retail and Business Banking, and Nedbank Wealth. Its services encompass deposit products, loans, insurance, investment management, and payment solutions. Additionally, Nedbank facilitates corporate finance, trading, and advisory services across diverse sectors such as agriculture, energy, and healthcare. With a focus on sound banking principles and risk management, Nedbank serves clients not only in South Africa but also in other African countries and internationally, providing tailored financial solutions to meet varying needs.

REdimension Capital is a Johannesburg-based financial services provider established in 2021, specializing in venture capital with a primary focus on the built environment. The company adopts an advisory-based approach to foster innovation and sustainability within the real estate sector. As a licensed entity operating under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, REdimension Capital is committed to regulatory compliance and maintaining high professional standards. The firm aims to reshape the future of South African real estate by making strategic investments in PropTech and clean technology initiatives. By creating an ecosystem that accelerates innovation, REdimension Capital seeks to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and efficient built environment.

African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) is a private equity infrastructure investment firm based in Cape Town, South Africa. The firm specializes in developing and managing infrastructure funds that focus on long-term institutional investments in unlisted equity across African infrastructure projects. AIIM's investment portfolio spans various sectors, including toll roads, renewable energy, power generation, and port and communication infrastructure. With equity under management amounting to USD 1.9 billion, AIIM has a proven track record, having successfully operated seven infrastructure funds across East, West, and Southern Africa. The company not only manages investments but also engages in the creation and advisory of infrastructure projects.

Pearl Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Kampala, Uganda, with additional offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Mauritius. Established in 2005, the firm specializes in investing in small and medium-sized agribusinesses in East Africa, particularly focusing on Uganda. Pearl Capital Partners typically invests between $0.25 million and $2.5 million per company, utilizing a mix of equity, quasi-equity, equity-related, and debt investments. The firm aims to generate financial returns while fostering significant social impact by collaborating with ambitious management teams and employing supportive investment structures and specialized expertise to cultivate high-growth agribusinesses.

The African Export Import Bank (the “Bank”) was established in Abuja, Nigeria in October, 1993 by African Governments, African private and institutional investors as well as non-African financial institutions and private investors for the purpose of financing, promoting and expanding intra-African and extra-African trade. The Bank was established under the twin constitutive instruments of an Agreement signed by member States and multilateral organizations, and which confers on the Bank the status of an international multilateral organization; as well as a Charter, governing its corporate structure and operations, signed by all Shareholders.

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a wide array of software products and services. The company is best known for its Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite, which are widely used in consumer and business applications. In addition to software, Microsoft offers gaming hardware, including Xbox consoles and accessories, as well as various consumer devices like Surface tablets. The company's commercial offerings include server products, cloud services through Microsoft Azure, and enterprise solutions like Microsoft Dynamics for customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning. Microsoft also runs a global network of accelerators that support startups by providing mentorship, technical training, and resources, fostering innovation in technology and business development. Through its diverse portfolio and initiatives, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations to achieve more.

54 Collective is a venture capital firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded in 2018. The company focuses on building and scaling African tech startups by providing catalytic capital and tailored support to entrepreneurs. It invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, health tech, agritech, logistics, and e-commerce. By integrating impact into its investment strategy, 54 Collective aims to deliver financial returns to investors while facilitating the growth of innovative businesses. The firm leverages its extensive global network to offer additional resources and support, helping founders navigate challenges and scale their ventures effectively.

Norrsken22 is a growth investment firm established in 2016 and based in Cape Town, South Africa. The company focuses on partnering with talented entrepreneurs to foster the development of Africa's next technology giants. Norrsken22 primarily invests in sectors such as medtech, ed-tech, and fintech, aiming to support innovative businesses that can drive significant impact and growth within the continent's technology landscape.

Raba partners with founders from leading start-ups and companies building technology companies solving hard problems in emerging ecosystems in Africa. Raba is backed by a select group of venture capitalists, technology entrepreneurs, and families who have built global businesses across a wide range of industries.

Future Africa is a Lagos-based venture capital firm established in 2016, dedicated to empowering mission-driven founders and innovators to tackle significant challenges across the African continent. The firm focuses on creating a future where purpose and prosperity are accessible to all. Future Africa invests in a diverse array of sectors, including agriculture, data and artificial intelligence, e-commerce, education, finance, healthcare, and technology, among others. By supporting startups and entrepreneurs, Future Africa aims to foster the development of transformative solutions that contribute to the continent's economic growth and social progress.

Old Mutual Investment Group, founded in 1845 and headquartered in Pinelands, South Africa, is a diversified financial services organization that provides a wide array of financial solutions. It caters to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate clients, offering products that include life assurance, short-term insurance, loans, and banking services. Additionally, Old Mutual offers investment management services, focusing on sustainable investment strategies that address challenges such as climate change and social equity. The group is recognized as the largest Africa-domiciled asset manager, leveraging its extensive experience to manage substantial assets on behalf of its clients, while also providing unit trusts and property development services.

Standard Bank Group is a leading commercial bank headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a rich history dating back to 1862. It operates extensively across 18 African countries and in select emerging markets globally. The bank is structured into various segments, including Personal and Business Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Treasury and Capital Management. It provides a wide range of financial services, such as transactional banking, savings, lending, investment, and insurance. Personal and business banking offerings include current accounts, savings products, loans, and electronic banking services for individuals and small to medium enterprises. The corporate and investment banking segment caters to governments, larger corporations, and financial institutions, offering services in foreign exchange, commodities, trade finance, project finance, and wealth management. Standard Bank Group leverages its deep knowledge of emerging markets to deliver tailored financial solutions to its diverse clientele.

Google is a technology company primarily known for its search engine that helps users locate information across the internet. In addition to search, it offers a range of services, including Gmail for email communication, Google Drive for cloud storage, and productivity tools such as Google Docs and Google Sheets. The company also provides advertising solutions through Google Ads and operates the video-sharing platform YouTube. Furthermore, Google develops the Android mobile operating system and engages in research and innovation in artificial intelligence and machine learning through its dedicated division, Google AI. This focus on advancing technology underpins its diverse portfolio of products and services.

AfricInvest, established in 1994 and headquartered in Tunis, Tunisia, is a prominent private equity investment firm focused on supporting small and medium enterprises across Africa. With dedicated investment teams for both North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, AfricInvest employs 66 professionals across seven offices. The firm has invested in 135 companies spanning 25 African countries, targeting high-growth sectors such as financial services, agribusiness, consumer goods, retail, education, and healthcare. AfricInvest is recognized for its strong, long-term relationships with local and international investors, including major development finance institutions. In addition to its investment activities, the firm actively promotes the private equity industry in Africa, having co-founded several key associations, including the African Venture Capital Association and the Middle East North Africa Private Equity Association.

Sanari Capital is a South African private investment company. They partner with owners and management in building companies, concepts and ideas.

BlueOrchard Finance, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is a prominent impact investment manager specializing in microfinance. The company focuses on providing debt financing to microfinance institutions across the globe, with local offices in countries such as Cambodia, Georgia, Peru, and Kenya. BlueOrchard has facilitated over USD 2 billion in loans, aiming to enhance financial inclusion for the working poor and improve their living standards. The firm supports various sectors, including energy, education, and sustainable infrastructure, addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and job creation. BlueOrchard is dedicated to delivering both financial and social returns to investors while promoting a sustainable and inclusive financial system worldwide.

Knife Capital is an independent growth equity investment firm focusing on innovation-driven ventures with proven traction. By leveraging knowledge, networks & funding, Knife accelerates the international expansion of entrepreneurial businesses that achieved a product/market fit in a beachhead market. Knife have offices in Cape Town and London. Knife invests via a consortium of funding partnerships, including SARS section 12J Venture Capital Company KNF Ventures and select family offices. Knife facilitated lucrative exits of local technology companies to the likes of General Electric, Visa, Garmin and Uber.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution established in 1991 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Its primary mission is to foster economic development in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in the Middle East and Africa, by providing project financing to banks, industries, and businesses. The EBRD focuses on supporting new ventures and facilitating investments in existing companies, while also assisting publicly owned entities in privatizing and restructuring municipal services. The bank engages in equity investments and provides various forms of debt financing, including senior, subordinated, mezzanine, and convertible debt. By collaborating with commercial partners and financial intermediaries, such as local banks and equity funds, the EBRD aims to enhance private sector growth and development across multiple sectors. Through its extensive experience, the EBRD has invested more than €130 billion in over 5,200 projects, playing a significant role in advancing economic transformation in the regions it serves.

EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) is a multilaterally owned impact asset manager which delivers innovative development finance solutions that enable European DFIs, development banks and private sector investors to increase the scale and impact of their work. The company focuses on business models, technologies and geographies where other investors have not been able to operate at the desired scale given their resources and investment criteria. To learn more visit www.edfimc.eu.

Ethos Private Equity, founded in 1984 and based in Illovo, South Africa, is a prominent private equity firm that has played a pioneering role in the South African market. With a focus on long-term investments, Ethos targets medium-to-large businesses across various sectors, including financial services, healthcare, agriculture, food, manufacturing, mining, information technology, telecommunications, electronics, retail, logistics, construction, and transportation. The firm has successfully invested in over 100 companies, leveraging extensive local networks and international reach to achieve consistent outperformance relative to the stock market. Ethos is independently owned and managed, ensuring that the interests of its investment professionals are aligned with those of its stakeholders. The firm is actively investing from its sixth fund, which represents one of the largest pools of third-party capital in Africa.

4Di Capital is a venture capital firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, founded in 2011. It specializes in seed and early-stage investments within the technology sector, with a focus on fintech, insurtech, healthtech, and other technology-driven verticals. The firm aims to support high-growth startups by providing not only capital but also mentorship and access to valuable networks. 4Di Capital typically invests between ZAR1 million and ZAR5 million, acquiring equity stakes ranging from 15 percent to 40 percent in its portfolio companies. The firm emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with entrepreneurs to help them realize their business potential while adapting international best practices for local contexts. Additionally, 4Di Capital has an office in Atlanta, Georgia, further expanding its reach and influence.

Acumen is a nonprofit venture fund that invests in early-stage companies bringing critical services like agriculture, clean energy, education, financial inclusion, healthcare and workforce development to low-income communities in 14 countries across East and West Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the United States. Since 2001, Acumen invested $128 million in 128 companies that have transformed the lives of over 308 million low-income people.

Norfund is an economic development agency based in Oslo, Norway, established in 1997. As an active and strategic minority investor, it provides equity, risk capital, and loans to support the growth of businesses in countries with limited access to capital, primarily focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as select regions in Southeast Asia and Central America. Norfund aims to foster sustainable business development in areas where the private sector is underdeveloped, by investing in small and medium-sized enterprises and other targeted sectors. The agency's approach is designed to create significant economic impact and promote long-term growth in these developing markets.

University Technology Fund is a venture fund specifically focussed on commercializing technology, intellectual property, and research originating from South African Universities.

Allan Gray Limited is a privately owned investment management company based in Cape Town, South Africa, with additional offices in Johannesburg. Founded in 1974, the firm focuses on generating long-term wealth for its clients, which include individuals, retirement funds, insurers, trusts, companies, and foundations. Allan Gray manages separate client-focused portfolios in equity, fixed income, and balanced investments, as well as mutual funds. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes value stocks and employs fundamental analysis with a bottom-up stock picking approach. In addition to public equity and fixed income markets, Allan Gray also invests in derivatives, commodities, and property, utilizing in-house research to inform its decisions. The firm benchmarks its portfolio performance against several global indices, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of its investment outcomes.

AHL Venture Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2007, with its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada, and additional offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Lusaka, Zambia; and Accra, Ghana. The firm specializes in providing growth capital to companies in sectors such as energy access, financial inclusion, agriculture, and climate solutions, with a particular focus on Eastern and Southern Africa. AHL Venture Partners is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs by making swift investment decisions and participating in subsequent funding rounds. The firm emphasizes ongoing business support and has teams on the ground that possess a deep understanding of the local business environments in which they operate.

Bopa Moruo Private Equity is a mid-market investment firm based in Sandton, South Africa, established in 2011. The firm specializes in private equity and private capital investments, focusing on generating long-term capital appreciation by developing and enhancing established businesses. Bopa Moruo targets growth capital, replacement capital, and transformational capital investments specifically within the industrial and services sectors. Its approach emphasizes building great businesses to achieve sustainable growth and value creation over time.

Chandaria Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2017 and based in Nairobi, Kenya. The firm focuses on investing in innovative ideas that have the potential to transform Africa. By partnering with talented entrepreneurs, Chandaria Capital not only provides financial support but also offers mentorship and collaborative efforts to help build impactful companies. The firm's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship aims to drive positive change across the continent.

Helios Investment Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in buyouts of going concerns, recapitalization, mezzanine, growth capital for private enterprises, restructurings joint ventures, startups; either green-field or brownfield; and the majority or blocking-minority structured investments in listed entities. It seeks to invest in the telecommunications, media, financial services, power, utilities, travel, leisure, distribution, fast-moving consumer goods, logistics, and Agro-allied sectors. The firm prefers to invest in Africa with a focus on Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. It seeks to invest between $15 million and $200 million in an individual transaction. The firm prefers to have a board seat in its portfolio companies. Helios Investment Partners LLP was founded in 2004 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

Incofin Investment Management is a private equity firm based in Wilrijk, Belgium, specializing in impact investments in developing countries. Established in 2001, the firm focuses on microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that provide financial services to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas and the agricultural sector. Incofin targets investments in a variety of sectors, including financial services and agriculture, and typically does not take a majority stake in MFIs, opting instead to participate in governance by holding board positions. The firm invests globally, with a strong emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia, particularly the Philippines. Incofin makes debt, equity, and guarantee investments, often with specific thresholds for portfolio quality and investment size, and usually maintains its equity investments for around seven years. The firm operates additional offices in Colombia, India, Kenya, Luxembourg, and Cambodia, reinforcing its commitment to fostering financial inclusion in emerging markets.

Injini is an Edtech incubator and seed investment program. The company supports great founders with a mission to improve educational outcomes across the continent. Injini select cohorts of EdTech startups from across Africa to join us on a 5-month incubation journey - extending funding and dedicated support from industry experts and skilled business mentors.