By Enitan Abdultawab
Ventures Platform co-founder and partner, Kola Aina, has advised emerging and aspiring investors to shift their focus from capital constraints to long-term strategy, stressing that true investment performance can only be measured over nearly a decade.
Speaking at the ongoing Africa Startup Festival (ASF) Lagos 2025, Aina said, “It takes about 8–10 years to know if you are a good investor or not. Your complaint should not be that you do not have capital.”
Aina’s remarks set the tone for discussions at the festival, which brings together founders, global investors, and development finance institutions (DFIs) to explore opportunities across Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
He urged new investors to prioritise patience, discipline, and informed decision-making over immediate access to funds, noting that sustainable investing requires a long-term outlook.
Highlighting Africa’s compelling economic and demographic trajectory, Aina said the continent remains a critical destination for global allocators of capital seeking true diversification.
“If you’re a global allocator of capital seeking true diversification, Africa is the place. By 2050, one in four people will be African. Our GDP growth rate is twice that of the US, and yet most of the value remains offline,” he noted, adding that opportunities abound for investors who understand local contexts and are willing to commit for the long haul.
Ventures Platform’s own fundraising activity reflects increasing confidence in Africa-focused venture capital. The Lagos-based firm has raised $64 million toward its second fund, targeting a close of about $75 million.
Among its investors is the Nigerian government through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme—its first venture capital fund investment—marking a significant milestone for a country that hosts the continent’s highest number of unicorns.
With VC firms, DFIs, and government-backed programmes strengthening their collaboration, stakeholders say platforms like ASF Lagos 2025 will be instrumental in shaping sustainable pathways for funding innovation.
Aina’s message reinforces a central theme of the festival: Africa’s next decade will reward investors who prioritise resilience, patience, and strategic vision.
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