The Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility (AECF) for early-stage African startups

The Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility (AECF) is a USD 4M investment facility designed to unlock early-stage capital for startups in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania that advance economic mobility and climate resilience. It is managed by Village Capital and leverages local Entrepreneur Support Organizations to identify teams and participate in the investment evaluation process. The program aims to invest in startups with strong unit economics and potential for local impact through ESOs in-market.

Access to investment capital between USD 75K and USD 500K; support from in-market Entrepreneur Support Organizations; involvement in an investment evaluation process to ensure local impact and fit for purpose.

Locally-led startups that have raised less than USD 2M to date, have healthy unit economics with a path to financial sustainability, are post-MVP with early revenue, and are currently raising between USD 75K and USD 500K.

Apply through Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESO) partners listed on the official page; contact the ESOs for submission details.