Oxford University’s Saïd Business School is hosting more than 40 African venture capital fund managers this week for the Africa Venture Finance Programme. The five-day course, from 1 to 5 September, aims to build skills for funds backing early and growth-stage tech companies on the continent.
Despite accounting for nearly a fifth of the world’s population, Africa attracts only 1% to 2% of global venture capital. African-led startups also secure a fraction of total funding. Now in its fourth year, the program is designed to address this shortfall through training, peer exchange, and engagement with development finance institutions.
Boost Africa, a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank and African Development Bank, delivers the course with support from AfricaGrow, the European Commission and other partners. After this edition, more than 150 managers — representing a large share of active funds on the continent — will have taken part.
Institutions including the EBRD, Proparco, the Arab Fund, the UK’s FCDO and British International Investment are joining discussions with African general partners. Senior partners from TLcom, Partech and AfricInvest are also participating in sessions on fundraising, fund performance and portfolio support.
According to the African Private Capital Association, Africa’s startups closed 487 deals worth $3.6 billion in 2024. Of that, $2.6 billion came from venture capital and $1 billion from venture debt. Boost Africa says its work has already mobilised more than €380 million for startups and helped most founders it supported raise at least $1 million.
