For many international investors, macroeconomic uncertainty and the nascency of the startup ecosystem are major barriers to investing in African startups. But at the same time, Africa is home to the majority of the world’s working population, is rapidly urbanising and moving online at an unprecedented rate. With this growing young workforce and no shortage of real issues to solve, do these tailwinds outweigh the perceived risks for investing in African startups? 

Our guest Klyne Maharaj contends that the momentum of Africa’s dynamic, young population, coupled with the necessity to solve tangible problems, has sparked a Startup Golden Age on the continent. In his view, the companies solving the biggest issues end up being the most valuable. African founders are solving for real-life pertinent problems that, when solved, will transform the life for ordinary Africans. 

This episode explores how early-stage venture capital and accelerator financing is driving local-led solutions in Africa, exploring the landscape of venture capital financing on the continent, what it takes to support these companies to scale and the driving factors behind building an impactful startup.

Guest: Klyne Maharaj is the Director of the Accelerator Programme at the Baobab Network, an early stage Venture Capital and Accelerator funder in Africa.

Host and Exec Producer:  Samantha Jelley

Post Production: Enosh Ocansey

Have any questions or comments on today’s episode? We’d love to hear from you! 

Email: [email protected]