Africa STRATEGY

Partnering across Africa

Since making our first investment in Africa in 2011, 500 Global has built a portfolio of 100+ Africa-headquartered companies through our venture funds and accelerator programs, while also supporting the development of 40+ local investors through dedicated venture education initiatives. We work in partnership with founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers across the continent to support scalable, venture-backable growth, while contributing to the long-term development of Africa’s innovation ecosystems

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Investing in future outliers with global reach and early access

Our portfolio of 100+ African startups are building commercially scalable, technology driven solutions that address large underserved markets across financial inclusion, healthcare, education, and SME enablement.

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Local expertise, global scale

Sustainable performance emerges when every part of the ecosystem - policy, capital, talent, institutions, and community - develops in tandem. By reinforcing this full infrastructure, we enable innovation to scale more efficiently, creating the conditions for stronger outcomes and long-term competitiveness.

100+

Regional portfolio companies

150+

Regional founders supported

$25M+

Invested in the ecosystem

40+

Regional investor alumni

A committed partner on the continent

500 Global is an active venture investor and ecosystem partner working with innovators, investors, and institutions shaping the continent’s economic future. Alongside our investments, we’ve delivered 10+ programs across the continent, with more to come.

As Africa moves toward 2030, rapid urbanization and the emergence of the world’s fastest-growing workforce create both urgency and opportunity for market-shaping innovation. Meeting this moment requires partners and resources that help companies to scale, while also strengthening the talent pipelines, infrastructure, and policy environments that enable technology-driven growth.

With on-ground teams across the continent and a global network spanning more than 80 countries, we bring expertise and deep connectivity from other emerging markets to help innovators scale.Through our dedicated accelerator programs, venture education, and advisory work, we also support founders, investors, and public-sector leaders in building future-ready innovation systems.

2011

500 Global’s first investment in Africa.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2017

First regional MENA fund launched, with North African mandate.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2019

500 invests in its 50th African portfolio company.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2021

First African portfolio company to be valued over $1B (Chipper Cash).

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2022

500 Global launched Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers: Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, in partnership with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2023

Launched the Seed Bootcamp, Scale-up Program and BAM program in Egypt, in partnership with ITIDA.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2024

500 Global’s first Immersion Trek from Egypt to Nairobi, connecting North and Sub-Saharan ecosystems.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2025

Launched our first global Sustainable Innovation Program hub in Nairobi, Kenya, with the inaugural Pre-Acceleration Academy and Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator run in partnership with UNDP.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

Our regional programs

Across Africa, our work is grounded in the Eco6 Framework, a methodology that identifies the structural, financial, and human-capital forces shaping the region’s rapidly evolving innovation landscape. By addressing these needs through our programs, funds, and educational initiatives, we help strengthen the capabilities of founders, investors, and ecosystem partners, enabling the African ecosystem to compete and thrive on a global stage.

Founder

Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi

equips early African founders with essential tools for growth.

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Founder

Pre-Acceleration Academy in Nairobi

Pre-Acceleration Academy in Nairobi equips early African founders with essential tools for growth.

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FOUNDER

500 Global In Egypt: Scale Up Program

500 Global in Egypt's Scale Up Program accelerates promising Pre-Series A startups

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Investor

Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers: Egypt

Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers taps into 500 Global’s extensive experience, drawn from over 85 accelerator programs worldwide.

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Thought leadership

Insights and updates from across the region.

500 Global and UNDP Launch New Innovation Programs

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Nairobi will serve as host for three programs run by UNDP and 500 Global. The programs are co-designed to support startups at every stage, from early to growth, by offering tailored acceleration programs appropriate to each startup’s level of maturity.

500 Global Expands in Africa; Supporting Digital Morocco 2030

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500 Global aims to unlock strategic resources that transform emerging ecosystems into investable innovation hubs and supports the continent’s long-term development ambitions.

How a venture capital firm is building the next generation of entrepreneurs

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Three Years of Partnership, Progress, and National Impact

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We celebrate our three-year collaboration with Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). Together, we have worked toward a shared goal: strengthening Egypt’s innovation ecosystem in ways that advance national priorities around digital transformation, while creating commercially investable opportunities with global potential.

Events across the region

500 Global in Egypt: BAM

Nairobi Launch 2025

Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi

EVENTS ACROSS THE CONTINENT

500 Global in Egypt: BAM

Strategic partnerships

500 Global partners with governments, sovereign funds, development finance institutions, foundations, and international organizations to strengthen innovation ecosystems and support long-term, inclusive economic growth. Through founder and venture education, ecosystem programs, and institutional collaboration, we work alongside partners to translate innovation into durable, globally competitive outcomes.

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