Introduction to Angel Investing by ABAN

On a mission to grow Africa’s investment capacity in Climate-Smart Agriculture, and in partnership with Scaling Digital Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS), we launched the Climate-Smart Agriculture Angel Investor Capacity Development Program on 10th October 2025; and what a strong start it has been!

Our first session, Introduction to Angel Investing, was hosted by none other than Tomi Davies, a leading figure in Africa’s investment landscape. The session marked the beginning of a powerful learning journey for our selected cohort of investors focused on sustainable agriculture ventures.

What did we explore?

The conversation was as insightful as it was practical. Here are some of the standout themes that sparked deep dialogue among participants:

• Why a personal investment thesis matters: Your thesis helps you filter opportunities aligned with your purpose, values, and risk appetite.
• Syndicates versus funds: A clear-eyed comparison for emerging managers exploring the best structure for collaborative investing.
• Structuring diaspora-led investment vehicles: How to effectively mobilize capital from the diaspora and direct it toward homegrown innovation.
• Mixing startups with SMEs: A frank discussion on why the two are different, and what to watch out for when trying to fund both.

As Tomi Davies shared during the session,

“The conversation was sharp, peer-driven, and packed with practical takeaways. Grateful to our growing cohort of Climate-Smart Angels committed to funding sustainable change across Africa.”

This session laid the foundation for what is set to become a robust community of angel investors equipped with the tools and insights needed to drive climate resilience and innovation in agriculture.

From structuring deals to evaluating startups, every interaction moves us closer to the goal of building a more sustainable and investor-ready ecosystem. The journey has just begun, and Africa’s agricultural future is in good hands.

Stay tuned for more insights from upcoming modules in the CSA Angel Investor Program.