By Mercy Peter
Boost Africa will run a two-month campaign from November 1 to December 31, 2026, to show how venture capital is helping Nigerian businesses expand, innovate and create jobs.
Titled “From Capital to Impact,” the campaign will tell the stories of Nigerian businesses that have benefited from venture capital funds supported by the initiative.
Boost Africa is a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), supported by the European Union. It aims to show how development finance can close funding gaps, build entrepreneurial capacity and help innovative businesses scale up and reach new markets.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, and the EIB’s Regional Head for West and Central Africa, Moussa Nakoulima, are among the key figures associated with the initiative.
The numbers
According to results reported by the EIB as of December 2023, Boost Africa had invested €88 million, supported about 15,000 jobs and mobilised nearly €400 million in additional investment across Africa.
The campaign says the figures show development finance can attract private capital, strengthen enterprises and open up economic opportunities across the continent.
The businesses
Daya, ChipMango and TradeDepot are among the companies to be featured. Their experiences with Boost Africa-supported venture capital funds will be explored, including work on digital commerce, cross-border financial infrastructure and opportunities for technology talent.
Through their stories, the initiative wants to show that money is only part of what it takes to build a successful business. Technical assistance, professional networks and strategic guidance also help companies manage the challenges of growth.
Venture capital fund managers will also give their views on patient capital, technical expertise and investment partnerships in supporting African businesses at different stages.
How it will run
The campaign will use founder interviews, video documentaries, social media storytelling, thought-leadership articles and online media engagement. It will also highlight the roles of investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in creating a more supportive environment for innovation.
Organisers say the value of investment goes beyond the capital deployed to include the businesses strengthened, jobs supported and opportunities created.
About Boost Africa
Boost Africa was set up to tackle the financing challenges facing innovative African enterprises and to strengthen the continent’s venture capital ecosystem. It invests in funds that finance promising startups and growing businesses, alongside technical assistance and wider ecosystem support, to mobilise private investment and help businesses expand.
