Loic Amado

We have been working with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and other Namibian ecosystem players since 2024 to understand the opportunity for startups to list on the @NSX Development Capital Board (DCB). It is specifically designed for companies that have potential without being profitable yet, such as startups and early-stage ventures. The listing requirements on the DCB are significantly reduced compared to the Main Board, allowing younger companies to access public capital markets earlier. Our engagements last week were refreshing to say the least, and encouraging to see the opportunity presented to the startups in Namibia. Eben Van Heerden joining me in Windhoek, talking about a thought experiment he participated and helped shape decades ago, now becoming a reality. #straightahead

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African Investments Limited is delighted to welcome Horticultural Development Council as a new Partner to drive investment, business and trade in Africa together. Company Overview: The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) is the apex body for horticulture in Zimbabwe, established to drive growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness in one of the country’s most dynamic agricultural sectors. HDC serves as the voice of horticulture, representing farmers, exporters, input suppliers, and service providers, while working together with government, investors, and international markets to unlock the full potential of the industry. Zimbabwe’s horticulture industry is experiencing a rapid resurgence, supported by ideal agro-ecological conditions, an experienced grower base, and increasing global demand for high-quality, sustainably produced fruit, vegetables, nuts, and flowers. HDC is spearheading this growth trajectory, anchored on a bold US$2.5 billion horticulture export target which reflects the industry’s capacity to become a leading contributor to national GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and rural employment. HDC’s mandate is broad yet sharply focused on three pillars: 1. Market Development & Investment Facilitation – Connecting Zimbabwean growers with global buyers and investors through trade missions, investment forums, and strategic partnerships. HDC works to expand and diversify market access into Europe, the UK, Middle East, Asia, and Africa. 2.Farmer Support & Capacity Building – Through a “hub-and-spoke” model, HDC provides training, extension services, and technical support to both commercial and emerging farmers. This approach ensures inclusion and empowers smallholders to meet international compliance standards. 3.Sustainability & Innovation – Recognising the challenges of climate change, HDC promotes climate-smart agriculture, resource efficiency, and the development of carbon assets, ensuring long-term sector resilience and attractiveness for impact investors. The Africa Business Opportunities Dashboard, Africa’s B2B platform, is free to join, empowering businesses of all sizes and individuals to thrive in Africa’s vibrant economy. Expand your horizons, build valuable connections, and drive growth — join us for free today!

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Great to see more investment flowing into African early-stage startups that are enabling the scaling of green and innovative solutions. Equally encouraging is the growing number of impact investors providing venture-building support to help these startups turn promising ideas into sustainable businesses. This kind of support is especially important for emerging sectors like e-mobility, where innovation, patient capital, and ecosystem collaboration are key to unlocking scale across Africa. Impact Fund Denmark (formerly IFU) Persistent Ecobodaa Mobility

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A New Dawn for Nairobi’s CBD: The Iconic Plaza Hotel is Open! Formerly Laico Regency Hotel. The heartbeat of Nairobi’s Central Business District just got a major boost. With the official opening of the Iconic Plaza Hotel, we aren't just seeing a new building on the skyline, we’re witnessing the strategic revival of downtown Nairobi as a premier destination for business and luxury. For a long time, the narrative has been about the "flight to the suburbs." But the Iconic Plaza is flipping the script. Here is how this landmark development is set to transform our city: 1. Reclaiming the MICE Powerhouse Nairobi is Africa’s leading hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). By bringing world-class, tech-ready plenary halls and boardroom suites back to the CBD, the Iconic Plaza provides a high-end alternative right next to the KICC. This reduces transit times for international delegates and breathes new life into the "city under the sun" as a conference capital. 2. Elevating "244 Quality Beds and Nights Quantity is one thing; quality is another. The CBD has long needed an infusion of modern, 5-star inventory to compete with Westlands and Upper Hill. The Iconic Plaza introduces luxury suites and premium service standards that ensure high-value corporate travelers and tourists stay in the heart of the city, boosting the local ecosystem from retail to dining. 3. Economic Catalyst for the CBD A hotel of this caliber creates a massive ripple effect. Beyond direct employment, it increases footfall for surrounding businesses and signals to investors that Nairobi’s historic center is a viable, vibrant zone for high-end commerce. Nairobi is evolving, and it’s exciting to see the CBD reclaiming its status as a sophisticated hub for global travelers. #Nairobi #Hospitality #MICE #TourismKenya #IconicPlaza #InvestInKenya #BusinessTravel #NairobiCBD

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▶️ Flexible debt -no equity- for post-revenue businesses creating jobs, advancing climate-smart solutions, and expanding access to essential services. More information below!

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Today at 6pm WAT is the second class of the 8-week VC Training Program by Beyond Venture Limited. Becoming a VC or working in VC isn’t about wearing a blazer and using words like “synergies” on panels. It’s about understanding how capital is raised, structured, allocated, and grown. It’s about backing the right people, with clarity, conviction, and capital discipline. Here are 10 real steps to becoming a VC: Understand What VCs Actually Do Investing is just one part. VCs source deals, conduct due diligence, structure terms, support founders, and manage LP expectations. Study the VC Fund Structure Learn how a VC fund works, LPs, GPs, carry, management fees, fund lifecycle, and legal structure. This is the engine behind the scenes. Develop an Investment Thesis What sectors, geographies, or founder types do you believe in? Your thesis shapes your deal flow and brand. Learn Fund Formation What legal entity do you need? How do you set up GP-LP agreements, management companies, and fund docs? Build a Deal Sourcing Pipeline Your success as a VC depends on access. Build trust in founder communities, attend demo days, run scout programs. Understand Due Diligence and Risk Learn how to evaluate a startup beyond the hype. Understand market size, founder capability, product defensibility, and exit paths. Raise Capital From LPs Before you invest in startups, someone needs to invest in you. Raising from LPs requires storytelling, trust, and legal clarity. Master Capital Allocation and Portfolio Strategy How much do you invest in each company? What stage? What’s your follow-on strategy? This is where many fail. Support Founders, Create Value Capital is just the beginning. Great VCs help with hiring, growth, partnerships, and fundraising. Track Performance and Communicate With LPs Transparency matters. Fund reporting, NAV tracking, IRR, know your numbers and communicate them clearly. We cover all the above in the next 8 weeks and today, in week 2's class of the VC Training Program, we’ll go deep into Fund formation, technically and legally. How to structure your GP/LP relationship Designing a fund that actually works Understanding carry, waterfall models, and compliance Building your investment thesis and fund model from scratch This isn’t theory. This is real-world, practical VC knowledge for the next generation of VC professionals. If you want to go from startup fan to fund manager, this is your path. Register using the link below. See you at 6pm WAT today. You don't want to miss this. https://lnkd.in/d5mStkJ6

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🇹🇿Zanzibar’s blue economy has received a major boost with the launch of the Tanzania Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (TASFAM) project, a $117 million initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable fisheries, marine product farming, and seaweed cultivation across the islands. Funded by the World Bank and implemented over five years, the project will provide modern equipment, loans, and support to fishers and seaweed farmers, enhancing local value chains and climate resilience. An estimated 160,000 people will benefit, with around 80% of beneficiaries being women, particularly in seaweed farming and fishing. The initiative also includes plans for a seaweed processing factory and aims to reduce poverty while driving blue economy growth in Zanzibar. Read more 🔗https://lnkd.in/daTbk-6q #BlueEconomy #Fisheries #SustainableDevelopment

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Pressure and possibility Africa enters 2026 with tightening budgets, swelling cities and fragile growth. This week, I looked at how aid cuts actually hit national finances, why Africa’s $6T resource base is back in focus and what urban growth and travel demand reveal about the year ahead. Context matters. Read the Africa Brief: https://hubs.li/Q03_4KtL0 Subscribe: https://hubs.li/Q03_4Jl00 #LauraDavis #AfricaBrief #ContextMatters

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Embracing Nature as a Financial Titan: Valuing Ecosystems as Infrastructure As we navigate the complexities of the global economy, a transformative vision is emerging—one that redefines growth, investment, and public finance through the lens of climate change and environmental sustainability. This vision calls for institutional investors and governments, especially in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), to recognize and integrate the vital role of ecosystems into financial systems. The Crossroad of Transition In today’s world, the very fabric of economic activity is woven tightly with the benefits provided by nature. However, these ecosystem services, which include carbon sequestration, flood control, soil fertility, and pollination, remain largely unrecognized in national accounting systems. This invisibility poses significant risks: - Underinvestment in Nature: Without proper valuation, investment in nature-based solutions (NbS) is severely lacking. - Fiscal Strain: Governments face fiscal stress as they fail to leverage natural assets for generating revenue or reducing borrowing costs. - Unpriced Financial Risks; Institutional investors are exposed to hidden risks as portfolios do not account for the degradation of these valuable services. - Fiduciary Disconnect: The gap between fiduciary responsibilities and economic sustainability widens as nature's value remains unaccounted. Visionary Shift: Nature as Infrastructure This policy proposal advocates for a paradigm shift backed by the G20, urging stakeholders to recognize and value ecosystems as productive public assets. By treating ecosystems as economic infrastructure, we open new avenues for fiscal innovation and investment strategies: - Incorporation into Financial Systems; Incorporate ecosystems into national accounting and sovereign balance sheets to unlock innovative fiscal tools and create investable nature-based solutions. - Alignment with Sustainability Mandates; Enable capital allocation to align seamlessly with fiduciary duties while embracing sustainability. - Strategic Nature-based Investments: Encouraging deliberate investment in nature not only propels economic resilience but also fosters a sustainable environment. The future of global finance is intertwined with the state of our ecosystems. Institutionalizing ecological services and positioning them as cornerstone assets of public investment offers a strategic opportunity to address both present challenges and future uncertainties. Together, let's champion the cause for visible value, ensuring that the true worth of nature is recognized and integrated into the global economic framework. http://bit.ly/3TcQRoR   Credit : Dr. Hubert Danso Repost by : Salem Bagami #Sustainability #EconomicTransformation #NatureFinance #G20 #EcosystemServices #InvestmentRevolution

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Excited to announce the renewed SECO Startup Fund (SSF) - (managed by Seedstars and iGravity ) is looking to invest CHF 5 million in high-impact, post-revenue businesses across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Let’s scale your impact—apply now!

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Raising $1–2M? Preparing for a $3M+ raise? CFA Kenya is where climate projects get investment-ready and funded. We are excited to announce the launch of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Kenya, delivered by Open Capital. The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) is a global technical assistance programme funded by the UK Government and supported by the British Council in Nairobi. The programme is designed to transform high-potential climate projects into bankable, investment-ready opportunities, unlocking the capital required to scale impact. Who should apply? CFA Kenya is seeking post-revenue SMEs and scalable climate projects with strong growth potential. The programme primarily supports transactions of USD $3M and above, while also welcoming high-impact businesses raising between USD $1–2M. How TechField Africa can help At Techfield Africa, we support climate-focused founders and SMEs to successfully access opportunities like CFA through: Grant fundraising and donor capital strategy Investment readiness and documentation End-to-end grant application management Structuring blended finance and climate funding pipelines If you’re considering applying and need expert support to strengthen your application, position your project, or secure complementary grant and catalytic funding, Techfield Africa is here to help. 🔗 Apply to join the CFA Kenya cohort: https://lnkd.in/d2aW5sPR 📩 Partner with Techfield Africa to accelerate your climate funding journey. Schedule a quick chat here to learn how; https://lnkd.in/d2tqeBCR

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Nairobi-based tourism-focused venture studio Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) has successfully secured an additional $500,000 in funding, raising its total seed round to $5 million. This latest investment comes from Alphatron, a Dutch single-family office under the Alphatron Group. Click on the link below to read more: https://lnkd.in/gu2UiFZM

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Exciting news! Anza Entrepreneurs and Ennovate Ventures have been selected as ESO Venture Partners for the Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility (AECF) — a $4M initiative by Village Capital, FMO, and RVO. This is a great opportunity for both Anza and Ennovate to support Tanzanian entrepreneurs with the capital, visibility, and ecosystem connections they need to thrive. We’re proud to play a part in shifting power closer to the ground, enabling locally-led solutions that strengthen climate resilience and economic mobility in East Africa.

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A New Radisson Hotel Group Nairobi Airport: Is 2027 the Year JKIA Becomes East Africa’s Hospitality Hub? Exciting news for Nairobi and East Africa’s hospitality market: a new Radisson Hotel Group Hotel Nairobi Airport is set to open near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in mid-2027. With 200 rooms, it will be the first Radisson property at JKIA, offering an all-day dining restaurant, lobby bar, gym, and pool. Its prime location, just minutes from the airport and near Nairobi National Park, makes it ideal for both business and leisure travelers. This is not just a hotel opening, it is a statement. The convenience and quality offered at the airport may shift travelers who normally head into Westlands or the city center. Is there a trend emerging here with both Radisson and Marriott planning new properties at JKIA in 2027? Are investors and operators aiming to capture travelers at the source before they even leave the airport perimeter? For investors, developers, and hospitality professionals, this signals a new opportunity. Nairobi’s airport corridor is becoming a key battleground for international brands. The question is whether convenience and premium amenities at the airport will redefine where business, transit, and leisure travelers choose to stay. East Africa’s hospitality market is evolving rapidly, and 2027 could mark the start of a new era where the airport is the ultimate destination, not just a gateway.

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Thrilled to share this milestone! 🌍✨ EcoSecurities is proud to partner with Solidaridad East and Central Africa, with the support of Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), to co-develop Kenya’s first National Methane Reduction Implementation Strategy for the Livestock Sector (KE-24-002). 🐄🌱 This initiative (2025–2027) is a unique opportunity to: ✅ Support 3,000 dairy farmers with tools for productivity & resilience ✅ Build a clear national roadmap to reduce methane emissions ✅ Advance sustainable, climate-smart agriculture in Kenya At EcoSecurities, we believe partnerships like this are essential to driving systemic change. By working together with farmers, government, and private sector actors, we can deliver real impact—reducing emissions while strengthening communities and food systems. 💚 Excited for what’s ahead and proud of the work our teams are doing alongside our partners! 🚀 #ClimateAction #MethaneReduction #SustainableAgriculture #PartnershipsForImpact #ChangeThatMatters

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If you want to understand where the largest pools of local capital sit in Kenya, look no further than the corporate ecosystem. Early this week, I participated in a workshop at Britam's BetaLab, hosted by Dream VC’s Mark Kleyner, who underscored this profound insight: in a less mature market where Family Offices often prioritize stability and invest conservatively, the corporate ecosystem becomes the primary engine for local funding. This is the inflection point we've been waiting for. The 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 (𝗖𝗩𝗖) model offers founders a unique, accelerated pathway: While founders may accept lower initial valuations, the tangible upside is immense as they gain immediate value, access to corporate client bases, and rapid product validation. Founders are capturing genuine value through strategic partnerships and infrastructure, sooner than they would through pure equity investment models. This structure provides a powerful dual return for the corporate: 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲-𝗔𝗱𝗱, solving a core business problem. This is how we build a resilient, funded ecosystem: by ensuring every investment offers both strategic value to the corporation and necessary infrastructure to the startup #TheFutureIsHere

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