Key Takeaways
- • The African Development Bank (AfDB) has opened applications for a free capacity-building programme designed to help African institutional investors develop the skills to invest in venture capital funds.
- • The programme will train 80 capital providers over three months, delivered online through eight two-hour live webinars and a two-day intensive bootcamp, with delivery handled by I&P Ecosystems.
- • The initiative is a flagship part of the AfDB's Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy and the Boost Africa Programme, a partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB).
- • The program targets a funding gap: African pension funds, insurers, banks and other institutions hold substantial assets but mostly invest in government bonds, treasury instruments and listed securities.
- • Application deadline is 13 November 2026, with selection announced 20 November 2026 and the programme running December 2026 to February 2027.
Summary
The African Development Bank has launched applications for a new capacity-building programme aimed at helping African institutional investors develop the skills and confidence needed to invest in venture capital funds. The programme is free to participate in and is intended to unlock more domestic capital for Africa's growing startup ecosystem. It is coordinated through the AfDB's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (IEL), which sits under the bank's Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department, with I&P Ecosystems selected as implementation partner.
According to the programme organisers, venture capital remains significantly underrepresented in institutional portfolios, even though regulatory frameworks in many African countries permit allocations to alternative asset classes. As a result, venture capital fund managers often rely heavily on foreign investors, limiting domestic institutions' participation in the continent's startup economy. The programme identifies six barriers: limited venture due diligence expertise, misalignment with traditional approval, risk and reporting frameworks, lack of internal guidance, concerns about commitments of up to 10 years, limited access to fund managers and networks, and a shortage of peer-learning opportunities and benchmarks.
The programme will train 80 capital providers over three months. Its format includes eight live webinars of two hours each, led by experienced practitioners, and a two-day intensive bootcamp. Topics range from venture fundamentals, power-law returns and portfolio construction to fund economics, management fees and carried interest, ESG considerations and co-investment. The bootcamp uses African venture fund case studies, investment committee simulations and capital allocation exercises, with participants grouped by institution type. Participants gain membership in a network of more than 50 domestic and international capital providers, and a select number will receive sponsored attendance at the next LP Peer Group Convening.
The programme is open to African-headquartered capital providers, including pension funds, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, commercial banks, corporate venture arms, family offices, foundations, development finance institutions and asset managers. Applicants must deploy capital within Africa and either already invest in venture capital or be actively exploring a first allocation. It targets senior decision-makers such as CIOs, heads of investment, investment committee members and portfolio managers, and institutions may nominate more than one representative. Organisers encourage applications from women and professionals under 35. The programme is part of the AfDB's Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy and the Boost Africa Programme, a partnership with the EIB that finances high-potential startups. Applications close 13 November 2026, selections are announced 20 November 2026, and the programme runs December 2026 to February 2027.
According to the programme organisers, venture capital remains significantly underrepresented in institutional portfolios, even though regulatory frameworks in many African countries permit allocations to alternative asset classes. As a result, venture capital fund managers often rely heavily on foreign investors, limiting domestic institutions' participation in the continent's startup economy. The programme identifies six barriers: limited venture due diligence expertise, misalignment with traditional approval, risk and reporting frameworks, lack of internal guidance, concerns about commitments of up to 10 years, limited access to fund managers and networks, and a shortage of peer-learning opportunities and benchmarks.
The programme will train 80 capital providers over three months. Its format includes eight live webinars of two hours each, led by experienced practitioners, and a two-day intensive bootcamp. Topics range from venture fundamentals, power-law returns and portfolio construction to fund economics, management fees and carried interest, ESG considerations and co-investment. The bootcamp uses African venture fund case studies, investment committee simulations and capital allocation exercises, with participants grouped by institution type. Participants gain membership in a network of more than 50 domestic and international capital providers, and a select number will receive sponsored attendance at the next LP Peer Group Convening.
The programme is open to African-headquartered capital providers, including pension funds, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, commercial banks, corporate venture arms, family offices, foundations, development finance institutions and asset managers. Applicants must deploy capital within Africa and either already invest in venture capital or be actively exploring a first allocation. It targets senior decision-makers such as CIOs, heads of investment, investment committee members and portfolio managers, and institutions may nominate more than one representative. Organisers encourage applications from women and professionals under 35. The programme is part of the AfDB's Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy and the Boost Africa Programme, a partnership with the EIB that finances high-potential startups. Applications close 13 November 2026, selections are announced 20 November 2026, and the programme runs December 2026 to February 2027.
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