More than 40 of Africa’s venture capital fund managers—nearly half of them women—are gathering at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School this week for the fourth edition of the Africa Venture Finance Programme (AVFP).
Running from 1 to 5 September 2025, the executive programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s venture capital ecosystem and support early- and growth-stage investments in technology and tech-enabled enterprises.
A Strategic Platform for Inclusive VC Growth
Delivered by Boost Africa, a joint initiative of EIB Global and the African Development Bank and supported by AfricaGrow, the AVFP is tailored for fund managers investing across the African continent. The programme combines peer learning, strategic dialogue, and capacity building to foster a more connected and capable VC landscape.
“Boost Africa is about more than just finance; it’s about building resilient economies, fostering innovation and creating inclusive growth through smart, targeted investment,” said Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Since its inception, AVFP has trained over 150 fund managers, representing the lion’s share of active VC funds in Africa. Alumni continue to collaborate through a vibrant community focused on knowledge exchange and long-term impact.
Engaging DFIs and Leading VC Firms
This year’s programme includes sessions with major Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), including the EBRD, Proparco, the Arab Fund, FCDO, and British International Investment (BII), to explore ways to strengthen Africa’s venture capital infrastructure. Senior partners from TLcom, Partech, and AfricInvest will lead discussions on fund performance, access to capital, and portfolio support.
“Africa’s innovation potential is immense, and venture capital is the bridge to unlocking it,” said Peter Ellersiek, Investment Director at AfricaGrow. “By equipping fund managers with equity capital, the right tools, and networks, we’re opening doors to transformative business opportunities.”
Oxford-Led Curriculum Grounded in Local Realities
Designed and facilitated by Oxford academics, the AVFP curriculum emphasises investment models that reflect Africa’s diverse market realities. Sessions focus on peer-to-peer learning, best practices, and strategic thinking.
“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 Oxford University.
Boost Africa: Catalysing Entrepreneurial Transformation
Boost Africa addresses early-stage financing gaps by pairing venture capital with technical support. To date, the initiative has backed six private equity funds and over 70 companies, mobilising more than €380 million in startup capital. Notably, 94% of Boost Africa-supported founders have raised $1 million or more, nearly double the rate of comparable entrepreneurs.
“This partnership, supported via the Global Gateway strategy, shows the European Union’s strong commitment to helping African startups grow, scale up their innovations, and attract sustainable investment,” said Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships.
Africa’s VC Momentum: Key Stats
According to the African Private Capital Association, Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem secured 487 deals in 2024, including 427 venture capital deals worth $2.6 billion and 60 venture debt deals totalling $1 billion. Yet, the continent still receives only 1–2% of global venture capital despite representing 18% of the world’s population.
