How slow decisions, vague responses, and weak engagement are holding back a continent full of potential.—Dr. Jibril Mohamed Ahmed, Entrepreneur and African Startup Mentor of the Year(2022)In boardrooms and back rooms, on dusty roads and digital platforms, Africa’s entrepreneurs are moving. They’re building products, solving real problems, hiring talent, and creating jobs—often with little more than a laptop, a network, and sheer resilience. Their pace is fast, their passion is deep, and their sense of urgency is real. Yet there is one piece of the puzzle still dragging its feet: venture capital.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—too many VC and PE firms in Africa are failing to meet the standard the continent needs. What should be an ecosystem of bold capital backing bold ideas has too often become a space of missed opportunities, delayed decisions, vague emails, and unclear intentions. And in the world of startups, indecision is not neutral—it’s destructive.
This isn’t a blanket condemnation. There are exceptions—firms and partners who are raising the bar, engaging founders with respect, and offering both capital and clarity. But sadly, they are still the minority. The majority of African entrepreneurs I know and work with don’t complain about rejection—they complain about silence. About being invited to pitch, spending weeks preparing decks and projections, only to be left without follow-up, without timelines, and often, without dignity.
Last week, I had a rare experience that highlighted the contrast. I met with a VC firm managed by one of their partner, Magdi Amin. We set up the call, had a meaningful conversation, and in under 24 hours—during the meeting itself—I received a clear and honest “No.” No long wait. No empty optimism. Just professional, direct communication. And you know what? That felt like progress. Because a fast “No” is a gift. It allows a founder to reallocate their time, energy, and focus. It creates closure, clarity, and oddly enough—respect.
So why is this so rare?
Too many African VC firms are operating without urgency, without structure, and without a founder-first mindset. Some are under-resourced themselves, stretched too thin. Others have adopted outdated practices imported from other markets that don’t fit the unique, high-pressure environments African founders navigate. But whatever the reason, the result is the same: potential is being wasted. Time is being burned. Momentum is being lost.
The ask is simple—and it has nothing to do with giving away more capital. It’s about doing the basics right:
• Communicate clearly. Say “yes,” “no,” or “not yet”—but say something.
• Respond on time. A decision in 48 hours is better than silence for two months.
• Respect the founder’s time. They’re not pitching for sport. This is their life’s work.
• Build internal discipline. If your process takes weeks, say so upfront. Don’t let deals die in the inbox.
This is not about ego. It’s about equity—about fairness, transparency, and building a healthier investment culture for everyone involved. African founders are not asking for handouts. They are not begging. They are inviting you into the future they are trying to build. And that invitation deserves more than a shrug.
If African VC firms want to be part of that future, they have to evolve. Fast. Because Africa’s entrepreneurs are moving—with or without them.
