The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested $8 million in Ventures Platform Pan-African Fund II, backing early-stage technology companies in Nigeria and four other African countries. The investment is expected to provide much-needed growth capital to startups in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco and Senegal.
The funding comes under the EBRD’s Early-Stage Innovation Facility II, a €200 million programme created to invest in commercially driven venture capital funds. Through the initiative, the development finance institution is seeking to strengthen Africa’s early-stage investment ecosystem and give innovative businesses better access to the capital they need to grow.
For African founders, the investment could offer more than just another source of funding. Ventures Platform said the EBRD’s participation would strengthen its ability to support ambitious startups tackling major challenges, developing new markets and building businesses capable of competing beyond the continent. Founding Partner Kola Aina described the deal as a sign of increasing institutional confidence in Africa’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
EBRD Managing Director of Equity Dirk Werner said Africa’s entrepreneurial activity was growing rapidly, but venture capital remained relatively underdeveloped compared with the scale of opportunities across the continent. He said the investment in Ventures Platform Pan-African Fund II would help build the market infrastructure needed for innovative companies to secure funding, expand operations and increase their impact.
The latest deal also highlights the growing interest of international investors in Africa’s technology sector. The EBRD said it began investing across five sub-Saharan African countries in 2025 and has committed €620 million to the region in less than a year. With the $8 million Ventures Platform investment, more early-stage startups in Nigeria and other targeted markets could gain access to funding as they develop, scale and pursue opportunities in regional and global markets.
source: Leadership
