The African Business Angel Network (ABAN) is a trade association focused on fostering business angel groups, networks, and investment education across Africa. While more startups received funding in recent years, overall funding levels have declined, highlighting the importance of angel networks in addressing local challenges. The document emphasizes the need for collaboration, education, and active investment to support Africa's entrepreneurial growth.

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THE AFRICAN BUSINESS ANGEL
H. Tomi Davies
President, African Business Angel Network (ABAN)

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ABOUT ABAN

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The African Business Angel Network (ABAN)
• Trade association for African Business Angels, Syndicates and Networks
• Working with others across Africa to:
• Create Business Angel Groups, Syndicates & Networks
• Educate Business Angel Investors & their Entrepreneurs
• Develop thought leadership to support Early Stage Investment Policies

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LEVERAGE THE GEC
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Bill Aulet of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship,
speaker at GEC Medellin in 2016
ON AFRICA

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AFRICA is AFRICAN!
1 Union, 8 RECs, 54 Countries  Celebrating Culture!

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From hopeless woes to rising middle class….

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Increasing global attention, but…

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ABOUT
GEC JOHANNESBURG: MARCH 2017
AFRICA’S EARLY STAGE ECOSYSTEM

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A dynamic cocktail of entrepreneurs,
organizations, investors, & events…

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Although more startups got funded, funding
levels declined last year….

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Angel networks are vital to finding more
African solutions for African problems….

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Innovating early stage funding in Nigeria….
• LAN-led Investment Round
• Post-revenue ventures less than 2 years old
• Syndicates of accredited Angel investors
• Application, Assessment, Pitch, Term Sheet,
Due Diligence, Agreement, Funding in 90 days
• 2016: invested $500k in Lagos Start-Ups

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LEARNING AHEAD

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Lessons from African Angels.…
• Education is key! - most
investors only have experience
with traditional (non-tech / non-
IP) investments!
• Start investing now! - too much
analysis of a deal leads to
paralysis!
• Begin with exit in mind! - you
need to invest with the long
term horizon in view!
• Don’t expect Government help!
– most will only help AFTER they
see you succeed! (e.g. MPESA,
Zuckerberg in Lagos)
• Invest with groups (Syndicates
& Networks)! - You can’t know
everything, commitment from
others reduces your risk!
• Have fun! – if you don’t enjoy it,
don’t do it!

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Looking ahead in Africa…
“AFRICANS ARE DEVELOPING AFRICA
TODAY”
…AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT...
…LET’S BUILD AFRICA TOGETHER!”
HOW?
• Support ABAN
• Join an African
Syndicate/Network
• Invest in an African Start-Up

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CREDITS

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The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is part of the
GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK
g e n g l o b a l . o r g