ABAN

Happy new month #ABANCommunity! This month, we’re exploring exciting new horizons to unlock Africa’s Creative and Sports industries, innovative approaches to debt investing, and bringing you insider access to exclusive global events. The #ABAN_Newsletter, April Edition, is packed with key insights and exciting initiatives designed to help you accelerate your #investment journey and make an even bigger impact in Africa’s growth story. ➡️ We have a new masterclass underway, featuring our ABAN Board Member Olatokunbo Ige, ABAN CEO Fadilah Tchoumba, Jill Curr and Egla Ntumba (Co-founders of MsFiT Ventures). If you are looking to diversify your investment strategy, this one is for you! ➡️ You have a reason to rejoice as an ABAN Community Member! We have partnered with GITEX ASIA - Asia’s Largest & Most Global Tech, Startup & Digital Investments Event to offer you a 50% discount on all-access passes. Take advantage of this exclusive offer and elevate your network at one of Asia’s biggest tech events. ➡️ Join our thematic networks and fuel Africa’s next wave of high-growth startups in Climate Smart Agriculture Angel Network, Clean Technology Angel Network, Smart Cities Angel Network, Digital Trade Angel Network, and Africa’s Sports & Creative Early Stage Investor Network! Read the full #ABAN_Newsletter at https://bit.ly/4lcJmuM for more details!

At the TOGOMALL Women’s Day Commemoration, which took place on 29th March 2025, ABAN President, Yemi Keri, emphasized the importance of closing the gender funding gap, recognizing women-led businesses as high-impact #investments, and building inclusive financial systems that drive sustainable growth. Key highlights of her session: ➡️ Women drive nearly 60% of informal businesses in Africa but receive less than 10% of available capital ➡️ Women-led startups secure less than 3% of global VC funding ➡️ Despite the barriers, they outperform in ROI and sustainability The message was clear. It’s time to expand the lens, fund women-led ventures early, and design financial systems that are inclusive by default, not by exception. TOGOMALL is leading by example, supporting 136 entrepreneurs (half of them being women) and bridging the gap between visibility and viability. "To investors, invest in women not out of goodwill, but because it makes business sense, and to women #entrepreneurs, take up space and speak boldly. You are not a risk, you are an opportunity." Yemi Keri It’s time to move beyond applauding resilience to rewarding it. Let’s make investing in women the norm!

🌍 📣 Investors! Expand deal flow, build relationships across borders, and explore new strategies for fundraising, fund management, and navigating global investor ecosystems at #GEC2025. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ezykHNrR #TheBoldChangeTheWorld

As we embrace the spirit of giving this Eid, let’s continue to uplift and empower communities for a brighter tomorrow!

Africa’s First Angel Investor Network for Sports & Creative Industries is offering you the opportunity to propel Africa’s thriving sports and creative industries! Join this first network of its kind in Africa by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/42r9idR ABAN TRACE PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors

Sumet has successfully closed a $1.5 million pre-seed funding round, combining equity and debt financing. The #investment was secured through a mix of angel syndicates, local and international angel #investors, including ABAN, Catalytic Africa, and an angel syndicate from Egypt, along with other strategic investors. Since its inception, SUMET has been focused on reshaping Africa’s FMCG distribution landscape by successfully creating efficient distribution channels that help brands and products scale while catering to local market needs. This startup's traction includes expanding its distribution footprint across key African markets, tripling its team size and increasing its presence in all 26 provinces of Tanzania. Additionally, Sumet has achieved significant milestones, surpassing 6,500 active customers. By leveraging technology and data-driven decision-making, Sumet has continuously optimized its supply chain to provide cost-effective solutions for brand penetration in emerging markets. At Catalytic Africa, we believe in backing bold, innovative solutions that drive sustainable growth. Stay tuned for more details on how the other #CatalyticAfrica portfolio companies unlocked our funding and the progress they have made so far! Hazem Afify

Mark your calendars for this upcoming #ABANmasterclass on "Beyond Equity: Unlocking the Power of Debt for Angel Investors in Africa" to gain insights on how debt financing can help African founders grow and scale while delivering steady returns for #investors, real examples of businesses that have grown through #debtfunding, MsFiT Ventures’ Debt Model and more! Olatokunbo Ige Fadilah Tchoumba Egla Ntumba Jill Curr

How can debt financing help African founders grow and scale while delivering steady returns for #investors? These are some of the questions Olatokunbo Ige, Fadilah Tchoumba, Egla Ntumba and Jill Curr will answer on 23rd April 2025 during the "Beyond Equity: Unlocking the Power of Debt for Angel Investors in Africa"! Why this masterclass is a must-attend! You will gain insights on: ➡️ The difference and why startups need both to grow. ➡️ Actual examples of businesses that have grown through debt funding. ➡️ MsFiT Ventures’ Debt Model ➡️ How the MsFiT Ventures' approach benefits both investors and female-led startups. ➡️ How to build your debt investment plan with expert tips. Sign up now at https://bit.ly/3DVtsUP to be part of this #ABANmasterclass!

According to SEMAFOR, Africa’s creative economy may be small by global standards, but it is thriving, prompting renewed efforts to draw #investment. Thank you for covering our move to accelerate growth in the sector on your platform, by highlighting the unveiling of Africa’s Sports & Creative Early Stage Investor Network. Read the full details of the article at https://bit.ly/4c9i8kT! “Africa’s sports and creative industries have the potential to be economic giants, but they need capital that understands their unique value,” Fadilah Tchoumba. Submit your details at https://bit.ly/42r9idR to be part of the #ABANAngels accelerating growth in the sector! TRACE Gwladys WATRIN PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors Isioma Nnenna Alexis Idigbe Matthew Ohio Martin K.N Siele