Venture Capital and Private Equity in Africa

Connecting investors and entrepreneurs

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Democratic Republic of t…

20 members
Sierra Leone Incubator

8 members

Togo Incubator

8 members
Zimbabwe Incubator

24 members

Zambia Incubator

28 members

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Ben's Discussions

Prevent scams on this community !

Replied Nov. 13, 2009

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Welcome! Let's build this community together.

Looking to connect the VC4Africa community with Twitter! Jan 20

Latest Activity

Ben replied to Ben's discussion 'Rotating Group Officers'

A group of officers (active members willing to join as volunteers) have been instrumental in growing and maintaining the VC4Africa network. Each person has played a valuable role in managing this project's development and is a testament to the idea'…

8 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'The time to invest in Africa is now!'

Libyas LAP Green eyes continental status Libya’s LAP Green Networks has bought an 80% stake in Gemtel Telecom Limited, as the company took another step towards becoming a large African telecom conglomerate. The acquisition of Gemtel, a company base…

19 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'Sovereign Wealth Funds Investing in Africa: A Part of Growing South-South Investment'

19 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'Africa's Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation'

Toshki: Egypt builds again

21 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'Media,Investment & the Africa Brand'

Destination: Cairo

22 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'Infrastructure development key to African prosperity'

Cairo looks to the river to ease traffic congestion

22 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'Africa's Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation'

What Could Africa Do With More Broadband?

22 hours ago

Eyembe Elango commented on Ben's blog post 'Media,Investment & the Africa Brand'

on Sunday

Profile Information

Are you an investor or entrepreneur ?

investor, entrepreneur

Organization Profile

Introduction VC4Africa.com

Knowledge is power. Information and data are the tools needed to navigate today’s increasingly complex and globally linked marketplace. Unfortunately, too many of Africa’s best projects remain undiscovered - its entrepreneurs relatively unconnected when compared to other parts of the world.

At the same time, the social and economic contribution of SME projects is too often underestimated by government bodies, banks, investors, equity partners, and related institutions that could otherwise assist in the development of local business. Given this context the African entrepreneur is too often left to navigate alone.

In contrast to this reality, entrepreneurs are increasingly recognized as an important key to economic development. An increasing body of research argues that entrepreneurs, and their small to medium size enterprises, hold great potential for the continent’s continued advancement. Entrepreneurs are vital to building a healthy and stable society. They help to create an important middle class and are an invaluable source of jobs, tax revenue, foreign currency and a number of tertiary benefits.

In working to address some of these issues ICTs can act as an empowering agent. The objective of this project is to create and share the knowledge needed to make use of these new tools. In this way, the entrepreneur and the investor are in a better position to use ICTs as a means of collecting, organizing and distributing data and information needed to make valuable business decisions.

Collaborative Approach

This is an open platform for anyone to join. Everyone is invited to partner in the projects development and to take ownership in this process. The aim is 'unlock' the wealth of knowledge and experience present within the member community. As such, this mission statement is open to revision and anyone can assist in its development.

SME Development

A major aim of the project is to see how we as a community can work to assist in the development of Small and Medium Size enterprises. The community is working to identify promising entrepreneurs and their businesses. When these individuals and projects have been identified different members of the community can assist in their further development. The best plans develop into interesting investment opportunities.

What is your current position ?

Founder

Personal Introduction & Profile

I am a business professional with several years of international experience. I have worked in project management, consultancy and business development. I have worked in Europe, Central/Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. I work with both the public and private sector.

Which sectors are interesting for you ?

Internet, Media, Telecommunications

Which region is interesting for you ?

North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, South Africa

Which countries are interesting for you ?

All, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, Chad, Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo (Zaire), Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe

Closing Statement / Contact Details

Feel free to contact me !

Ben@VC4Africa.com

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Internet and Economic Freedom Boost Entrepreneurs Worldwide

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Entrepreneurs Challenged to Obtain Start-up Capital

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CVP's Tony Mallam on CNBC Africa

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Interview: Mark Shuttleworth

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Hello Africa

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Ben's Blog

Former AVCA chairman Rotimi Oyekanmi on the African PE landscape

12 Jan 2010. Source: AltAssets

Rotimi Oyekanmi, CEO of Renaissance Group West Africa, chaired the African Venture Capital Association from March 2008 until his recent departure at the end of last year. Having worked in the industry for 18 years, Oyekanmi talked to AltAssets about the current state o… Continue

Posted on January 14, 2010 at 12:38am —

Top 6 African business and culture trends to watch in 2010

Global Post
December 31st, 2009

If, like me, you’ve been watching people and events surrounding Africa in mainstream and non-mainstream news, you’ll know that 2009 was a big year for Africa, From President Obama’s visit, to the new fiber-optic cable in Kenya, there was a lot of president-setting efforts g… Continue

Posted on January 5, 2010 at 11:04pm — 2 Comments

Private Equity Picture ‘Painted’ Positively By Portfolio Managers

South African portfolio managers ‘paint’ positive picture for private equity investment locally
The results of the first edition of the DBSA and SAVCA’s ‘Economic Impact of Venture Capital and Private Equity in South Africa 2009 Study’ concluded that aside from the growth benefits of privat… Continue

Posted on December 2, 2009 at 12:35am —

Africa is the final ICT Market

This is the first article of a three part series

A farmer picks up his mobile phone to text message his contact in the market. He wants to know what the prices are today and if the time is right to sell his products. He also needs to find out where the lorry driver is and when h… Continue

Posted on November 14, 2009 at 11:36am —

Africa heading for 2009 growth due to China-expert

* Africa, bar South Africa, to grow this year

* Growth based on Chinese commodity and energy demand

* China faces investment, trade protectionism elsewhere

By Jonathan Lynn

GENEVA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - All African economies bar South Africa will grow this year because of China's demand for their raw material… Continue

Posted on October 29, 2009 at 7:05am — 2 Comments

Comment Wall (22 comments)

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At 1:20pm on January 28, 2010, PAOLO SALERNO said…: DUST SPA_AU_MODIFY[1].docDear Sir.
,
--We are truly looking forward to a long trusting working relationship.
--------------------
Few solutions for this minor issue--
We are willing to reimburse you and/or your lawyer for this funds after final executions-
We can request Brinks or G4 to assist in this matter--which we have an account with.
This will eliminate all other expenses for you such as flights etc-
PLS send a full draft contract on the sellers letter head to be able to sign immediately.

We are invigorated to execute the first shipment this week.

Thank YOU

Cordially

Paolo Salerno

Tel. - +39 3927988891 Fax +39 02700418071

paolo.salerno@hotmail.it - skype: paolo.salerno1

At 2:40pm on October 5, 2009, Madelein Mkunu said…: Business and Investment opportunities in Africa
As a private investment and trade promotion Agency encompassing Africa and its surrounds, Feminar International is the first point of contact for foreign and local importers, exporters and Investors wishing to take advantage of the unlimited business opportunities in the continent.Our mandate is to facilitate linkage between potential investors and our clients. Our main clients are African governments.We also assist with management of the project in the Country.
We are looking for investors for the following opportunities in Africa:
• Rice production - West Africa
• Sweet Sorghum farming for production of bio-ethanol - West Africa
• Property Development: Residential and Commercial - West and Central Africa
• Production of activated carbon using cocoa pod husks - west Africa
For detailed faisibility studies of the above projects, please contact me on women@feminar.co.za or info@leadingwomenofafrica.com or skype me on: women.femiar
About Feminar International
Feminar International is a Women Owned international Business facilitation Company committed to service the needs of Businesses that are looking to expand their operations in Africa.

Feminar connects potential investors with projects in Africa.

Feminar is run and managed from its International Head Office based in Cape Town, South Africa with partner representatives in over 20 African Countries

At 5:04am on September 18, 2009, Francis Omokhape oghuma said…: Great work you doing.nice community!

At 4:38pm on July 13, 2009, Jesse Ces said…: Hi Ben,

Are there plans to add the rest of North African countries to the Incubator Groups. I'm very interested in the other countries in this region.

Best,

Jesse

At 10:30pm on July 7, 2009, Abdul Mannan Barbhuiya said…: Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for connecting on Venture Capital & Private Equity in Africa @ Ning. I am glad to have connected with a successful executive/ professional like you. Be well, do good work and keep in touch.

I am an Open Networker. Please feel free to invite me to your network or group/community.

Regards and best wishes,

Sincerely,
Abdul Mannan Barbhuiya
manreh123@yahoo.com

At 9:48am on June 13, 2009, Mugoya Michael (BW Publishing) said…: Yes Ben,
I hope to meet you today evening at Bugolobi for a VC4Africa meetup. I love your vision for entrepreneurship. I am currently in rural Buikwe area in Uganda also using ICT to connect community based projects to the international business and donor community. Best regards

At 5:43pm on April 25, 2009, Deborah J. Boyd said…: Ben, You are onto something with the rotating leadership. We accomplish 2 things in this way. #1 a fresh look & #2 a break for those who take the job seriously. Look there may be some money in it for those who get really involved but for the most part it will be a jesture of good will. By the way the email I just got about Joel....he is a great addition.

At 9:44am on March 17, 2009, Femi Animashaun (Larez) said…: Hello Ben:

It is refreshing to see a site like this that finally focuses on Africa. Since returning to Nigeria, after living in the United States for 26 years, I have basically spent an average of 18 hours a day researching the business environment. It is somewhat disheartening that new entrepreneurs are not encouraged. The wealth just keeps going back to a certain clique.

I am happy that you have taken the initiative here, and Wow!! Do I have tons of information to add. My background is Architecture and Construction, focused on residential developments. However, in Nigeria, I am looking at the basics. I.E. Better roads and transportation. It will be nice to have a chat with you if possible.

Have a great day, and keep up the good work.

Cheers,

Larez

At 10:02pm on February 22, 2009, Farotade Oluwaseun said…: Ben,
As the admin,could kind sanction this rose person for spamming ?
thanks

At 10:22pm on November 25, 2008, Honorable Paul V. Applegarth said…: Yes, I certainly remember you, Ben. Indeed, it was your recent posting on one of the other emerging market private equity sites that inspired me to join your group.

Best,

Paul

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