AVCA Award Shortlist Candidates

1. Beyond the Big Four Award – This award recognises fund managers that go beyond the grain by investing in African jurisdictions with limited visibility and investment activity or appetite.
   • AFIG Funds
   • Amethis
   • Cauris Management
   • Inside Capital Partners 
   • Janngo Capital
   • XSML Capital 
     
     
2. DEI Champion Award – This award recognises fund managers that don’t only talk about it, but demonstrate a sustainable and long-term commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in both their firm and portfolio companies, with rigorous standards and policies.
   

   • Adenia Partners 

   • Africa Business Angel Network (ABAN) 

   • Alitheia Capital 

   • Amethis 

   • Aruwa Capital Management 

   • Janngo Capital 

   • Verod Capital Management 

   • WIC Capital 

3. Shapeshifter Award – This award recognises best-in-class fund managers that demonstrate adaptability, resilience and ingenuity in navigating market shifts and macroeconomic uncertainty.

4. Newcomer Award – This award recognises new fund managers established in the past half-decade that have made remarkable strides in fundraising or dealmaking because the newcomers today are tomorrow’s industry leaders.

4. Value Creation Award – This award recognises fund managers with comprehensive strategies that deliver long-term value and sustained portfolio company growth, bolstered by innovation, technology and commercial excellence.

   • Adenia Partners 

   • AHL Venture Partners 

   • Alterra Capital 

   • Amethis 

   • Development Partners International (DPI) 

   • Enko Capital 

   • Mediterrania Capital Partners

   • Sanari Capital 

   • TLcom Capital 

1. All-Rounder Award – This award recognises institutional investors whose portfolios demonstrate excellent diversification and versatility, based on investment strategy, geography, manager experience, and fund size.

   • African Development Bank (AfDB) 

   • British International Investment (BII) 

   • European Investment Bank (EIB)  

   • International Finance Corporation (IFC) 

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2. DEI Champion Award – This award recognises institutional investors that don’t just talk about it, but also demonstrate commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their firm and investment portfolios, with rigorous standards and policies.
   

   • African Development Bank (AfDB) 

   • British International Investment (BII) 

   • International Finance Corporation (IFC) 

   • Kuramo Capital Management 

   • Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund 
     
     

3. Enabler Award – This award recognises institutional investors that have consistently gone above and beyond to de-risk private capital in Africa and contribute to enabling other developmental and commercial investors to allocate capital to Africa.

   • African Development Bank (AfDB) 

   • Casey Family Programs 

   • DEG 

   • European Investment Bank (EIB)  

   • FSD Africa Investments 

   • International Finance Corporation (IFC) 

   • Kuramo Capital Management 

   • Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund 

   • Sango Capital 

   • Visa Foundation 
     
     

4. Shapeshifter Award – This award recognises best-in-class institutional investors that demonstrate adaptability and strategic foresight in their approach to allocation, portfolio management and risk mitigation for sustained growth and performance.

   • African Development Bank (AfDB) 

   • European Investment Bank (EIB)  

   • International Finance Corporation (IFC) 

1. Best Emerging Manager Supporter Award – This award recognises outstanding contributions by professional services firms that provide critical guidance to new industry entrants, thus empowering the next generation of industry leaders and enabling the growth of private capital in Africa.

   • Clifford Chance 

   • Trident Trust 

   • Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO) 
     
     

2. Shapeshifter Award – This award recognises professional services firms that have enhanced their service offerings, embraced innovation and implemented client-centric approaches to stay ahead in a competitive and evolving market.

   • Charles Russell Speechlys 

   • Clifford Chance 

   • Control Risks 

   • Khomolema Consulting

   • Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO)

   • White & Case LLP 

1. AVCA 20 Champion Award – This award will honour an individual who has consistently and enthusiastically championed AVCA’s mission and contributed to the growth of private capital in Africa through their personal engagement with the industry. The winner will demonstrate what it means to be a bona fide AVCA ambassador and will be selected by the AVCA team.

The nomination period is now closed

2. Breaking Barriers Investor Award – This award recognises individuals who have significantly advanced inclusivity and diversity in Africa's private capital industry, transforming challenges into opportunities for democratised participation.

   • Joanne Yoo, Partner, Development Partners International (DPI) 

   • Polo Mohau Leteka, Founder and CEO, IDF Capital 

   • Samantha Pokroy, CEO, Sanari Capital 

   •         'Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Director and CEO, Alitheia Capital

   • Wale Adeosun, Founder and CEO, Kuramo Capital Management 

   • Ziad Oueslati, Executive Founding Partner, AfricInvest 
     
     

3. Climate Leader Award – This award recognises individual investors who are committed to raising climate consciousness and taking action by investing in climate adaptation and mitigation in Africa.
   
   

   • Amal-Lee Amin, Managing Director and Head of Climate, Diversity and Advisory, British International Investment (BII) 

   • Andrew Johnstone, Director and CEO, Climate Fund Managers 

   • Ayaan Zeinab Adam, Senior Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)  

   • Mathieu Peller, Partner, Deputy CEO, Meridiam 

   • Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO, Climate Investment Funds 

   • 'Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Director and CEO, Alitheia Capital 
     

   •            Vuyo Ntoi, Co-Managing Director, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM)

4. NextGen Future Leader Award (Male) – This award recognises individuals who embody AVCA’s principles and industry ethics through their accomplishments, leadership qualities, and the impact they are making on their organisation and the wider industry.

   • Ibrahim Ramadan, Partner, Sawari Ventures 

   • Mobolaji Adeoye, Managing Partner, Consonance Investment Managers

   • Sola Lawson, Co-Managing Director, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM)

   • Wale Ayeni, Managing Partner, Helios Digital Ventures 

5. NextGen Future Leader Award (Female) – This award recognises individuals who embody AVCA’s principles and industry ethics through their accomplishments, leadership qualities, and the impact they are making on their organisation and the wider industry.

   • Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Founder & Managing Partner, Aruwa Capital Management 

   • Fatoumata Bâ. Founder & Executive Chair, Janngo Capital 

   • Mareme Dieng, Africa Lead, 500 Global 

   • Mariam Akanbi, Geneal Counsel, ARCH Emerging Markets Partners 

   • Samantha Pokroy, CEO, Sanari Capital 

   • Sandrine Henton, Managing Director, EG Capital 

   • Shirley Somuah, Partner, CardinalStone Capital Advisers 
     
     

6. Paving the Way Award – This award celebrates the visionary individuals who are actively shaping the future of Africa’s private capital ecosystem through dedicated mentorship, innovative leadership, and impactful knowledge-sharing with emerging industry professionals.
   

   • Amal Enan, Partner, 500 Global 

   • Hany Assaad, Chairman, Avanz Capital Egypt 

   • Mantuka Maisela, CEO, Khomolema Consulting 

   • Richard Okello, Co-Founder and Partner, Sango Capital

   •         'Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Director and CEO, Alitheia Capital

    

7. Thought Leader Award – This award recognises the leading voices shaping industry trends by promoting private capital in Africa through insightful, relevant, engaging and timely commentary on social and digital media channels.
   
   

   • Albert Alsina, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mediterrania Capital Partners

   • David van Dijk, Team Leader, Boost Africa Technical Assistance Facility, European Investment Bank (EIB) 

   • Raj Kulasingam, Senior Counsel, Dentons / Venture Investor, SM River/V&R 

   • Runa Alam, Co-Founding Partner and CEO, Development Partners International (DPI) 

   • Samantha Pokroy, CEO, Sanari Capital 

   • 'Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Director and CEO, Alitheia Capital 

1. Ecosystem Enabler Award – This award is open to all industry actors, including non-governmental organisations and government agencies (excluding associations), that have played a pivotal role in advocating for private capital in Africa, driving impactful engagement across all levels of the ecosystem.
   

   • Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) 

   • African Business Angel Network (ABAN) 

   • Founders Factory Africa (FFA) 

    

2. ESG Champion Award – This award recognises organisations that demonstrate commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices in their investment strategies and operational tactics.

   • African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) 

   • Amethis 

   • Development Partners International (DPI) 

   • IBIS Consulting 

   • InvestBank Corp.