While there are many reasons to invest in Africa investors should be aware that the region will test their patience. The African markets can be volatile and time horizons might not always work. Even the most sophisticated firms might have to review their business plans, just as Nestle did last year in 21 African countries. Many countries also face deficits. It will take bold and resourceful investors to fill these gaps and bring more prosperity to Africans.

TLcom Capital’s $71 Million TIDE Africa Fund

The latest venture of TLcom Capital has closed at a reported $71 million. The predecessor fund closed in January of this year. Five million dollars were donated by Sango Capital, Bio, CDC Group and TLcom. The fund’s first investment was in a dozen tech companies in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. TIDE Africa II will be focusing on East African fintech firms. The investment firm also has offices in Nigeria and Kenya. The portfolio of TLcom is comprised of Twiga Foods and Andela as along with uLesson and Kobo360. Each company is worth anywhere from $500,000 and $10 million.

TLcom is a Nairobi-based VC firm with more than $200 million in under management. The firm’s Managing Partner, 5mfunding Omobola Johnson, has helped launch over 12 tech companies across the continent which include Twiga Foods and a trucking logistics company. The investment firm’s team includes Omobola Johnson, who was a former Nigerian minister of communication technology.

TIDE Africa is an equity fund that invests in growing-stage tech companies in SSA. It will invest between $500,000 to $10 million in companies that are at the beginning of their development with a particular focus on Series A and II rounds. The fund will be primarily focused on Anglophone Africa but it plans to invest in Eastern and Southern African countries. TIDE for instance, has invested in five high-growth digital companies in Kenya.

Omidyar Network’s $71 million TEEP Fund

The Omidyar Network, a US-based charitable investment firm, is aiming to invest between $100 and $200 million in India over the next five years. Pierre Omidyar, co-founder of eBay, founded the fund and has invested $113 million in 35 Indian companies. In India, the firm invests in consumer internet, entrepreneurship financial inclusion, transparency in government property rights, as well as companies with a social impact.

The Omidyar Network’s TEEP Fund makes investments that are designed to improve access and accessibility to government information. Its objective is to identify nonprofits that use technology to create public information portals and tools for citizens. The network believes that having open access to government data increases the public’s understanding of government procedures, which will result in a more engaged society that holds government officials accountable. Imaginable Futures will invest the money in for-profit and nonprofit organizations focusing on education and health.

Raise

You should select a company that is focused on Africa if are looking to raise capital for your African startup. One of these companies is TLcom Capital, a fund management company based in London. Its African investments have attracted the attention of angel investors, and the team has raised funds in Nigeria and business funding Kenya. TLcom recently announced the launch of a brand new $71 million fund aiming to invest in 12 startups before they can achieve revenue.

The attraction of Africa venture capital is being recognized by the capital market. More private investors are realizing the potential of Africa to grow and don’t face the same restrictions as institutional investors. This means that raising funds is much more simple than in the past. Raise can help businesses close deals in half the time and is free of institutional constraints. There’s no perfect method to raise money for 5Mfunding African investors.

Understanding how investors perceive African investments is the first step. While many investors are drawn to YC hype, it’s crucial to look beyond this Silicon Valley giant and the African Union’s agenda 2063. African companies are now searching for the YC signal to approach US investors. A Tunisian venture capitalist Kyane Kassiri recently spoke out about the importance of the YC signal when seeking funds for African investors.

GetEquity

Founded in July 2021, GetEquity is an investment platform in Nigeria aimed to make it easier for startups to access funding in Africa. It is aiming to make the process of funding African startups accessible to the common man by providing world-class capital raising tools to any startup. The platform has already helped startups raise over $150,000 from a diverse range of investors. Additionally, it offers a secondary market to investors to purchase other people’s tokens.

Unlike equity crowdfunding investing in early-stage companies can be an extremely exclusive business. It is typically only available to the most renowned individual angel investors, capital institutions, and syndicates. It is not usually available to family members or friends. However, new companies are trying to challenge this exclusive arrangement by increasing access to startup funds in Africa. It is available for both Android and iOS devices. It is free to use.

With the launch of its blockchain-based wallet, GetEquity is making startup investing in Africa feasible for all investors. With the help of crypto funds, investors can invest in African startups starting at just $10. Although it’s a small amount, it’s still a significant amount of money compared to traditional equity financing. With the recent departure of Paystack by Spark Capital, GetEquity has transformed into a robust ecosystem for investors willing to invest in Africa.

Bamboo

Bamboo’s first challenge is convincing young Africans to invest in the platform. Until now, investors in Africa were restricted to a few options: foreign direct investment (FDI), crowdfunding, and old finance companies. In actuality, only a third of the population had invested in any platform. The company says it is expanding into other African countries, with plans to launch in Ghana by the end of April 2021. More than 50, 000 Ghanaians are waiting to be added to the waitlist at the time of writing.

Africans do not have many options for saving money. The currency is losing value against the dollar due to inflation that is close to 16 percent. The investment in dollars can help hedge against inflation and a falling currency. Bamboo is a platform that has seen rapid growth in the past two years, 5mfunding is one platform that lets Africans to invest in U.S. stock options. Bamboo plans to begin operations in Ghana in April 2021, and already has more than 50,000 users waiting for access.

Investors can fund their accounts starting at $20 once they are registered. You can fund your wallet using credit cards, bank transfer, or credit cards. After that, they can trade stocks and ETFs and receive regular market updates. Bamboo’s platform is bank-level secure it is accessible by anyone in Africa who can provide a valid Nigerian Bank Verification Number. Professional investment advisors can also make use of Bamboo’s services.

Chaka

There are a number of reasons why Nigeria is a hub for legitimate business and investment. Nigeria’s entertainment and film industry is one of the largest in Africa. The country’s expanding fintech sector has resulted in an increase in the number of startup companies and VC activity. TechCrunch spoke to Iyinoluwa Abodeji, one Chaka’s top backers. She stated that the country’s progressive tendencies could eventually open doors to new investors. Chaka also received seed-funds from Microtraction which is managed by Michael Seibel, CEO of Y Combinator.

Beijing has been more interested in African investments due to the declining relationship between the US and China. The trade conflict, as well as rising anti-China sentiment, make it more attractive for investors to look beyond the US to invest in African companies. Although Africa is home to a variety of emerging economies, the majority of markets are too small for venture-sized enterprises. The business owners of Africa should be prepared to adopt an expansion mindset and lock into a coherent expansion narrative.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange is overseen by the Central Securities Clearing System, which makes it a safe and secure investment in African stocks. Chaka is free to join, and you will be paid an 0.5% commission for every trade. Cash withdrawals may take up 12 hours. Withdrawals of sold shares on the other hand could take up to three days. In both cases the cash received for sold shares is settled locally.

Rise

Africa is seeing positive news due to the increasing number of investors who are willing to invest. The economy of the country is stable, and its governance is sound, which is a major draw for foreign investors. This has led to a rise in the standard of living in Africa. However, Africa is still a very risky investment and investors must be cautious and exercise due diligence. There are plenty of opportunities to invest in Africa however, the continent needs to make improvements to attract foreign capital. African governments must collaborate to create a more business-friendly environment and enhance the business climate in the next few years.

The United States is increasingly willing to support African economies through foreign direct investment. U.S. governments assisted Senegal in advancing a major healthcare financing facility. The U.S. government also supported investment in new technology in Africa and helped pharmacies in Nigeria and Kenya provide high-quality medication. This investment could lead to jobs and foster long-term partnerships between the U.S.A and Africa.

There are many opportunities available in the African stock market it is crucial to be aware of the market and do due diligence to ensure that you do not lose money. If you’re a smaller investor, it’s best to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which are funds that track an extensive selection of Sub-Saharan African companies. American depositary receipts (ADRs) that are issued by the United States, make it simple to trade African stocks on the U.S. stock exchange.