Ida Girma

Interview with Vincent Majoni Journalist Denzel Early ____ What is your organization doing in Kenya? At Mshumality.org, our work focuses on catalyzing partnerships that empower grassroots innovators, particularly in underserved communities like Kibera. We believe that local solutions—when connected to the right networks, tools, and resources—can scale dramatically. My role as a tech specialist is to help bridge the digital divide by integrating technology into community-led initiatives. Through partnerships, we support grassroots organizations to formalize their structures, digitize their operations, access funding, and create dignified, sustainable employment—especially for the youth. In Kibera, I work directly with community changemakers to implement digital tools that optimize waste management, support circular economy innovations, and improve community-based service delivery. Our aim is not just job creation, but dignified work that uplifts individuals and transforms entire neighborhoods. How is AI applied sciences helping Kenya so far? AI is beginning to show promising signs of impact across Kenya—though still at an early stage in grassroots settings. In the health sector, AI is helping predict disease outbreaks and improve diagnostics. In agriculture, AI-powered tools are supporting precision farming and market access for smallholder farmers. In urban areas, we're seeing AI being used for smart transport and waste tracking. At the community level, I’ve seen firsthand how AI tools—like language models and automated design platforms—are empowering youth and grassroots leaders to draft grant proposals, create visual content, and even develop local data dashboards without needing expensive consultants. AI is turning underserved communities from consumers into creators of technology-driven solutions. But this is just the beginning. What does Kenya need to implement in 2025? Kenya needs to prioritize inclusive digital infrastructure and AI literacy at the grassroots level. While policies and tech hubs are growing in urban centers, the same momentum must reach informal settlements. In 2025, we need to implement: 1. Community AI and digital upskilling hubs – Safe spaces where youth can learn and experiment with digital tools and AI to solve real-world problems. 2. Decentralized innovation support – Government and donor-funded incubators should invest directly in grassroots organizations with proven local impact. 3. AI for public services – Kenya can lead by using AI to streamline waste management, healthcare, and climate resilience planning at the community level. 4. Ethical and inclusive AI frameworks – Our deployment of AI must be community-first, with local data ownership and protection at its core.

1

BFA Global is excited to announce the 2025 cohort of 10 African startups supported through the ClimaFii Alliance, an initiative focused on unlocking clean, inclusive technologies for last-mile microenterprises. Across Africa, micro and small businesses power our food, transport, and retail systems. Yet many remain limited by a lack of access to affordable energy and financing, constraints that stall growth and innovation. This new cohort is bridging that gap by helping microenterprises adopt clean technologies such as solar-powered cold chains, electric mobility, clean cooking, and productive-use financing. We're proud to support these ventures alongside our partners: Shell Foundation, Transforming Energy Access, Accion, and Upaya Social Ventures as they work to strengthen livelihoods and build a more resilient, climate-smart future. Meet the cohort: 🇺🇬 EnerGrow 🇳🇬 Farm Warehouse, ICE Commercial Power, Instollar 🇿🇲 Lake Farms and Fishing Lodge Limited 🇸🇳 Mbay Mobility 🇰🇪 Mega Gas Alternative Energy, POLLEN PATROLLERS, SONGA Mobility, Zuhura Solutions Learn more about their solutions and how we plan to equip them with the tools, capital, and partnerships needed to scale their impact: https://lnkd.in/deeJdz8j

80

4 Comments

Chui Ventures, an Africa-focused seed-stage venture investor, said it had closed its first fund at  $17.3m (€14.95m), having attracted investment from Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation among others. It also announced the launch of its second fund with a $60m target size. https://lnkd.in/emFht8nd

13

Chui Ventures has closed its debut Fund I at $ 17.3 million, surpassing expectations and strengthening its mission to back African founders building tech-driven solutions for mass-market consumers. With investments in 18 startups, strong gender inclusion metrics, and more than 40,000 indirect jobs created, the firm is now preparing to launch Fund II with a target of $60 million. “Our vision at Chui is simple but powerful: For Africa, by Africa,” said Joyce-Ann Wainaina, General Partner of Chui Ventures. “We believe African founders are best positioned to solve Africa’s challenges at scale, and Fund I is proof that global and local investors share this conviction. As we look ahead, we will continue to double down on technology-driven ventures that deliver both returns and measurable social impact.” “Chui backs local founders who know exactly what their communities need – and have the bold ideas and drive to deliver,” said Thashlin Govender, Senior Director at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. “Their businesses are creating jobs, growing incomes, and fueling opportunity where it matters most.” “Chui Ventures exemplifies the next chapter of African venture capital; local capital allocators backing local founders to deliver transformative mass-market solutions. Their focus on gender and youth inclusion ensures both outsized returns and lasting social impact,” said Dr DOROTHY NYAMBI, CEO, MEDA – Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund. MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) Read More >> https://lnkd.in/d3-FttkN

2

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK Foundation) funds early-stage social enterprises worldwide — including those in Africa — offering up to US $300,000 in grant or investment capital, combined with capacity-building, mentoring, and community support. DRK’s goal is to help high-impact ventures scale sustainably and transform lives in underserved communities. ⏳ Urgency / Timeline Applications accepted on a rolling, year-round basis — apply anytime. 💡 Why It Matters Many impactful social ventures struggle to scale after pilot success because they lack long-term funding, mentorship, or business support. DRK closes that gap — offering not just money, but also hands-on support, governance, financial strategy, and network access so these ventures can grow, sustain, and maximize social impact in vulnerable communities. 🎯 Grant Snapshot Funding Amount: Up to US $300,000 over up to 3 years Focus: Social enterprises tackling urgent social or environmental challenges using scalable, impact-first approaches Geography: Africa, Europe, India, USA (with some flexibility for select other regions) Stage: Post-pilot, early stage (pre-scale or seed to early growth) ✅ Who Should Apply Nonprofits, mission-driven for-profit ventures, or fiscally-sponsored social enterprises Organizations with a viable product/service and early evidence of impact Founders or leadership teams committed full-time, with clear vision for scale Ventures with a plan for financial sustainability (earned income or other models) 🧰 What Awardees Will Receive Up to US $300,000 in flexible capital (grant or investment) Hands-on operational support: board-level mentoring, organizational development, fundraising strategy, leadership & governance support Access to a global network of social impact funders, peer entrepreneurs, and alumni community Strategic support to scale and sustain impact over 3-year partnership period 📝 How to Apply Visit the DRK Foundation portal and submit an online application (executive summary or pitch deck/business plan + basic organizational info). Applications can be saved and resumed later. ✅ For Support… Comment “SUPPORT” if you’d like help preparing your application. hashtag #FundingSpotlight hashtag #SocialEntrepreneurship hashtag #ImpactInvesting hashtag #DRKFoundation hashtag #NonDilutiveFunding hashtag #ScaleForImpact hashtag #drgozie hashtag #drgozieezeh hashtag #GlobalHealth hashtag #ClimateAction hashtag #AfricanEntrepreneurs

145

57 Comments

Singer-entrepreneur-cultural icon Rihanna is turning her attention to Africa. Her Nairobi-based investment fund, Gather Ventures, is deploying a new set of tools to invest in women-led and women-focused enterprises. I had a fantastic one-on-one with Jo Opot, Founding Director at Gather Ventures, on investing in women-led climate ventures across Africa. "As this portfolio grows, we want to have templates of what it looks like to do things differently, run by African women who are based here." "To have a Black LP, to change the power dynamics that I know exist, is something that needs to happen.” Up on ImpactAlpha #climatefinance #womenled #impactinvesting #philanthropiccapital

17

Nicholas Colloff OBE, Executive Director of the Argidius Foundation, joined our recent convening to discuss unlocking this opportunity: designing initatives that enable pension funds to build conviction, deploy strategically, and back Africa's high-growth entrepreneurs with confidence. Through its partnership with FrontEnd Ventures, Argidius is creating dialogue that surfaces investable opportunities and actionable pathways forward. These conversations are redefining how Africa's patient capital flows to its most promising founders. #FrontEnd #Pension #FrontEndVentures #PensionFunds #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #Kenya #ImpactInvesting #FinanceForGrowth #Innovation

79

1 Comment

Capital is rotating into Africa’s real economy, with investors backing scalable models in food systems, mobility, and clean energy across frontier and core markets. Delta40, DRK Foundation, Catalyst Fund and other co-investors have led a $1.27 million equity seed round into Farm to Feed Kenya Limited, using venture capital to scale tech-enabled, sustainable agriculture and food security solutions in Kenya. Breega and Speedinvest have deployed $3.4 million in equity into ANDA Angola (SU) Lda, supporting the expansion of a motorcycle taxi and mobility platform in a fast-formalising transport market. Inspired Evolution, alongside FMO, Swedfund and RMB Corvest, has committed $60 million in equity to Sedgeley Solar Group, financing utility-scale solar assets that deepen Southern Africa’s renewable energy base. Taken together, these transactions show investors increasing exposure to climate-aligned infrastructure and productivity-enhancing tech, with equity capital targeting both early-stage innovation and established asset platforms across the continent. Source: Stears Transactions Database Request a trial for full November deal coverage on Stears https://shorturl.at/vnMTb #StearsData #AfricaInvestments #PrivateEquity #DevelopmentFinance #EmergingMarkets #CapitalFlows #InvestmentIntelligence

10

Africa’s climate finance gets a lift. RFF backs three African grantees scaling women-led, climate-smart ventures: - WEAV Capital, led by Founding Partner Amaka Okechukwu Opara. - WIC CAPITAL, led by Managing Partner Evelyne DIOH SIMPA. - Sahara Impact Ventures, led by co-founders and Managing Partners Yvonne Ofosu-Appiah, CertIoD and Mandy Nyarko MBE. More at: https://lnkd.in/enN-KPR7 #Africa #WestAfrica #ClimateFinance #GenderLensInvesting

19