In a bid to enhance the skills of Africa-focused venture capital (VC) fund managers, Oxford University is bringing together over 40 of Africa's leading VC fund managers, for a week of skills development and peer learning.
Oxford University’s Saïd Business School is running the fourth edition of Africa Venture Finance Programme (AVFP) this week (1 to 5 September). The programme is designed specifically for VC funds investing in early- and growth-stage technology and tech-enabled companies across Africa.
This year the programme is also set to promote a more inclusive, connected, and capable investment ecosystem across the continent, as nearly half of the 40 attendees are women.
There is undoubtedly a need to grow the African VC space. In a statement, AVFP said that Africa receives between one to two percent of global VC funding, yet it represents 18% of the world’s population. In addition, relatively few African-led start-ups receive significant funding, signalling a dire need for funding across the diaspora.
According to the African Private Capital Association (AVCA), in 2024, Africa's startup ecosystem collectively secured 487 deals, with a value of US$2.6bn. Unfortunately, that represented a 22% drop in deal volume and a 28% decline in deal value from the previous year.
Peter Ellersiek, AfricaGrow’s investment director said Africa’s innovation potential is immense, and venture capital is the bridge to unlocking it. Equipping fund managers with equity capital, the right tools, and networks, not only does that strengthen the investment ecosystem, but also opens doors to transformative business opportunities that can drive inclusive growth across the continent, he said
AfricaGrow, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the KfW Development Bank and Deutsche Investitions, is one of a handful of organisations behind AVFP. Others include the African Development Bank, with support from the European Commission and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
The programme itself is being delivered by Boost Africa, an initiative of the European Investment Bank’s development arm (EIB Global).
“At a time when Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is rapidly evolving, AVFP equips fund managers with the tools, networks, and critical thinking needed to shape the future of capital on the continent. This isn’t just about growing funds – it’s about reimagining what finance can do when it’s grounded in context, community, and long-term value creation,” said Aunnie Patton Power, programme director for AVFP at University of Oxford.
Following this edition of the AVFP, over 150 of Africa’s most relevant venture capital fund managers will have participated in the programme, representing the lion’s share of active VC funds on the continent.
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