O Presidente da ABAC, Rui Levy, acaba de ser nomeado para Membro da Direção da ABAN
O Presidente da ABAC, Rui Levy, acaba de ser nomeado para Membro da Direção da ABAN – Rede Africana de Business Angels, para o período de 2025-2027. Que seja o reforço de parceiras e novas oportunidades com os investidores anjo do nosso continente!
The Africa Business Angel Network (ABAN) is excited to announce the appointment of a new Board of Directors. With their combined expertise in various sectors, these new Board Members will play a critical role in advancing ABAN’s mission of supporting the growth of angel investing across Africa and the diaspora and deepening the financial and non-financial contribution to the emerging innovation pool on the continent.
With a mission of empowering ABAN Angels who have so far invested over USD 22 million, ABAN has been instrumental in driving impactful investments across multiple sectors, including fintech, climate-smart agriculture, smart cities, and clean technology. By providing entrepreneurs with financial resources, mentorship, and strong networks, we play a crucial role in fostering innovation and job creation across Africa. This impact is reflected in the growing number of investors actively funding high-potential ventures and strategically aligns with our objective of attaining the USD 80 million mark by 2028.
According to the 2024 ABAN Angel Investment Survey Report, 70% of surveyed angel investors across Africa are actively investing in high-impact sectors, and 60% of them have made multiple investments over the past three years. ABAN continues to expand its reach through strategic partnerships with investors, development organizations, and innovation hubs. With a growing network of over 5,000 investors and angel networks, we are solidifying its role as a key driver of early-stage investment across the continent.
As the ABAN Angels continue to grow, strong leadership is essential in expanding the footprint and deepening its impact. This new Board brings fresh leadership at a critical time as ABAN focuses on growing its Angel Investors to over 10,000 and fostering deeper partnerships. Their diverse expertise and regional representation will guide ABAN toward new milestones, driving greater investment into high-growth sectors and strengthening Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.
A historic moment for gender balance
The appointment of Yemi Keri as ABAN’s first female president is a testament to the network’s dedication to championing diversity and inclusion. Her leadership represents a step forward in ensuring women hold key roles in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“ABAN has become a key player in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, empowering innovators and fueling transformative ideas. With over 500 million young people set to join Africa’s labor force by 2050, the need for sustainable entrepreneurial solutions has never been more urgent. Going forward, our growth will focus on three priorities: Catalyzing Capital for Impact: ABAN will intensify efforts to mobilize capital and support ventures that deliver measurable economic and social returns, Innovating Products and Services: We will enhance digital platforms, expand capacity-building programs, and use data-driven insights to guide investments that address Africa’s challenges and Building Partnerships for Scale: Collaboration is crucial, and ABAN will strengthen partnerships with global and regional communities, governments, and corporate leaders to accelerate progress across Africa.” Yemi Keri, ABAN President
Diverse regional representation
The new Board of Directors represents ABAN’s pan-African vision, with leadership spanning East, North, West, Central, and Southern Africa. This diverse regional representation ensures a well-rounded perspective in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in Africa’s early-stage investment landscape.
“With a deep understanding of local ecosystems across the continent, these newly elected Board Members bring invaluable expertise to guide ABAN’s growth. Their leadership will be key in strengthening our efforts to expand ABAN Angels, unlock funding opportunities for African entrepreneurs, and foster a more inclusive and innovative entrepreneurial environment, driving sustainable development across the continent. We look forward to working alongside them to shape the next chapter of Africa’s early-stage investment success.” Fadilah Tchoumba, ABAN CEO
Perspectives from New Board Members
Martin Warioba, representing East Africa, shared his excitement and enthusiasm for the role: “I am deeply honored to join the Board of Directors of the Africa Business Angel Network (ABAN). As Africa continues to position itself as a global innovation hub, I am committed to leveraging my knowledge and experience to accelerate early-stage investments across the continent. My focus will be on strengthening angel investment networks, driving cross-border collaborations, and creating scalable opportunities for African startups. Together with ABAN, I aim to champion inclusive growth by unlocking access to capital, mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, and promoting policies that enhance investor confidence across the continent. Africa’s future is entrepreneurial, and I look forward to playing my part in nurturing the next generation of business leaders.”
Rui Levy, from Cape Verde and an advocate for inclusive investing, echoed these sentiments:
“I am truly honored to join the ABAN Board of Directors and contribute to the growth of Africa’s angel investing ecosystem. As President of the Business Angels Association of Cabo Verde (ABAC) and an active supporter of entrepreneurship, I have witnessed the transformative impact that early-stage investment can have on startups and economic development.“
Africa is a continent rich in talent and innovation, and strengthening angel investing networks is essential to unlocking its full potential. I look forward to working alongside the esteemed members of the ABAN Board to foster cross-border investment opportunities, enhance knowledge sharing, and build stronger connections between investors and entrepreneurs across the continent as we create a more dynamic and inclusive investment environment that empowers African founders and drives sustainable growth.
Empowering diversity, collaboration, and impact
ABAN’s network of over 5,000 angel investors reflects an inclusive, pan-African approach to fostering entrepreneurship. With more than 60% of angel investors actively investing in sectors like agriculture, technology, and healthcare, education, clean energy, ABAN continues to champion innovation and economic development across the continent. In collaboration with various investors, ecosystem enablers, and supporting organizations, we continue to steadily support and consolidate angel investments across these key sectors to drive the continent’s economic growth.
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For further information, interviews, or high-resolution images, please contact our Communications Lead, Amimo Achillah at amimo@abanangels.org
About ABAN
ABAN is the largest pan-African organization of Angel investors in Africa. Established in 2015, ABAN represents the growing number of business angel groups in the African early-stage ecosystems’ future, providing vital human and financial capital to African startup companies creating jobs across the continent. Today, ABAN is a 75-member network in 37 African countries and the Diaspora representing over 5,000 angel investors. To learn more about ABAN’s work and how you can be part of Africa’s thriving entrepreneurial future, visit the ABAN website.
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