The Power of Friends and Family Equity in African Entrepreneurship

You see, investors in this part of the world are used to earning 2–4% on dollar deposits. But here’s an instrument offering 8% in USD and backed by real assets that you can see and touch. That alone is a game-changer. But what makes it truly special is the mindset behind it. This wasn’t built to enrich service providers; it was built to reward investors, stimulate the capital markets, and give ordinary people a fair shot at wealth creation. Every partner in the process; from the REIT manager to the exchange itself took a discount so that the investor could earn more. Because if we want to grow, we have to grow through scale, not greed. The goal isn’t to build a small product with high fees. It’s to build a billion-dollar I-REIT platform that attracts capital from all over the world into Kenya and uses that capital to create jobs, exports, and long-term transformation. Tune in. #AfricaRising #NextChapterForAfrica #CentumInvestments #TRIFICGreenIREIT #InvestInAfrica #SustainableReturns 

Building Wealth. Transforming Economies. In this conversation with Pius Muchiri, we discuss the upcoming TRIFIC USD I-REIT — an instrument offering USD returns, backed by real assets you can see and touch. Beyond the yield, it’s about scale, inclusivity, and unlocking capital to drive jobs, exports, and long-term transformation.

The most common way of financing a business in Nigeria has to be bootstrapping. What does this even mean? This simply means funding your business from your own savings (and reinvested profits) without relying on banks, external investors, or venture capital. For many Nigerian entrepreneurs, this is the first real financing option—before loans, before grants, before investors. Bootstrapping-type financing may not scale a billion-naira business overnight, but it teaches resilience, accountability, and customer-driven growth. Many successful global and Nigerian businesses started this way before attracting investors. In 2025, with rising interest rates and tougher loan conditions, bootstrapping is more than just a necessity; it’s a smart alternative financing option that proves you believe in your own dream enough to back it first. As you know, it also has its pros and cons. Pros of Bootstrapping: * Full ownership and control; no equity dilution * No loan repayments or interest obligations * Builds financial discipline and lean business practices * Proves commitment, which attracts future investors Cons of Bootstrapping: * Limited growth potential due to restricted funds * High personal financial risk (your savings are on the line) * Slower scalability compared to funded competitors * Pressure on personal finances (especially in a tough economy) #NigerianBanking #SMEFinance #BusinessLoans #FinanceNigeria #MoneyMattersNG #PersonalFinance #BusinessGrowth #SmartMoney #MoneyMatters #FinancialFreedom #NigeriaFinance #LoanTips #SmartBorrowing #DebtManagement #MoneyMattersNG #FinancialLiteracy #WealthBuilding #LearnFinance #MoneyTalksNG #MoneyTalksNG #FinancialWisdom #FinanceEducation #WealthBuilding

🚀 The $478BN private credit revolution is reshaping global SME finance – but what does this mean for Nigeria's 40+ million small businesses? While Business Development Companies (BDCs) are unlocking unprecedented funding in developed markets, Nigerian SMEs still face a $158BN financing gap. The disconnect isn't just about capital – it's about readiness, governance, and strategic positioning. 💡 Here's the reality: Access to funding is only as good as your ability to utilize it effectively. At Elevation Consulting, we've seen firsthand how the right preparation transforms SME trajectories: ✅ Financial Analysis & Planning – Building investor-ready financial models that speak the language of modern funders ✅ Sustainability & ESG Integration – Positioning SMEs for impact-driven capital that's flooding the market ✅ Digital Transformation – Ensuring businesses can scale with technology, not despite it ✅ Market Expansion – Strategic frameworks that turn local success into regional dominance ✅ Leadership Development – Building management teams that funders trust with their capital ✅ Data-driven Evaluation – Creating measurable impact frameworks that attract serious investors The global private credit boom isn't just changing how businesses get funded – it's raising the bar for what fundable looks like. Nigerian entrepreneurs who position themselves strategically today will be the ones capturing tomorrow's capital flows. 🤔 Question for the ecosystem: What's the biggest barrier preventing Nigerian SMEs from accessing this new wave of private credit? Is it preparation, positioning, or something else entirely? #SMEFinance #PrivateCredit #NigerianBusiness #ElevationConsulting #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

Africa needs liquidity. Look, let’s be honest. Everyone talks about Africa needing more capital. But the truth is, no one is asking why the capital that is already here isn't being liquidated. Look at the numbers: venture capital exits in Africa have been stagnant, hovering around 26 exits in both 2023 and 2024. Of those 26 exits in 2024, 21 were trade sales, 5 came from PE and other buyers, and none came from meaningful IPOs or capital markets. (AVCA 2024 African VC Report: https://lnkd.in/eAM5X-uq) And some of the players calling themselves African VCs seem perfectly satisfied just keeping the wheels turning. They enjoy the facilitation fees, the dashboards that look busy, the headlines that sound impressive. But when it comes to real exits, meaningful returns, and unlocking capital for growth? Well… let’s just say that’s not always their priority. And that’s exactly why so many African startups struggle to get the attention of serious global investors. Africa doesn’t need more cheerleaders for paper activity. Africa needs liquidity—the true lifeblood of entrepreneurship.

What if the missing piece for Nigerian SMEs wasn’t more effort, but access to capital, mentorship and resources? 💡 To launch our Scale 1000 Campaign, I am proud to announce partnerships with SEAL microfinance bank, JL foundation, and independent ecosystem builders to invest directly in Nigerian businesses across three cities. (Abuja, Benin & Lagos) Our ultimate goal is simple: help 1,000 founders scale their ventures. This is just the first step towards that goal. Through this campaign, businesses will gain: ▸ Access to tailored financing solutions ▸ Mentorship from experienced operators ▸ Practical advice to accelerate growth Together, let’s build the ecosystem Nigerian founders deserve. #Foundex #Scale1000 #SMEs #NigeriaBusiness #AfricanEntrepreneurs #Microfinance #EntrepreneurshipDevelopment #SMEFinance #ImpactInvestment #AccessToCapital #AfricaRising #Lagos #Benin #SmallBusinessGrowth #Abuja

The Future of Fundraising in Africa: Beyond Capital Fundraising is one thing to most founders, money. The truth, however, is that capital alone doesn't build a sustainable business. The future of fundraising in Africa is about how well founders choose investors who deliver more than a cheque. This is what I say to founders: capital is the starting point, not the endpoint. 1. Networks open doors money cannot. A well-connected investor can compress a 5-year growth path into 18 months. Corporate relationships, distribution channels, or governmental contacts can turn a small startup into a market leader. 2. Mentorship fuels decisions. Money in the absence of wise counsel will be squandered. A good investor is a thinking partner. They challenge assumptions, hone strategy, and avoid costly mistakes. 3. Market access fuels scale. African markets are complex and diversified. An investor who understands local realities; regulatory hurdles, customer habits, cultural context, gives you money that can't be bought. 4. Alignment over valuation. The greatest investor isn't necessarily the one who makes the largest valuation. It's the investor who believes in your mission, understands your model, and will take the hard path with you. African entrepreneurship's fate rests with founders who take wise choices. Don't just ask the question "who will fund me?" Rather, ask "who will grow me?" Because the best investor is not just a funder, they're a co-traveler on your journey. Let's build courageously. Let's build for tomorrow. #dlmbuilds #fundraising #venturebuilding #entrepreneurship #buildfortomorrow

Tanzania’s Kuunda just secured $7.5 million in pre-Series A funding to expand its embedded credit platform into the Middle East and North Africa, starting with Egypt. The fintech already facilitates over $100 million in monthly credit to small businesses and mobile money agents across Africa. Now, it’s taking that experience to new markets where MSMEs face the same liquidity gaps. Backed by investors like Seedstars Africa Ventures, 4Di Capital, and Accion Ventures, Kuunda plans to build cross-regional partnerships that connect underserved entrepreneurs to faster, data-driven working capital. This move reflects a growing trend: African fintechs moving beyond the continent, exporting innovation rather than importing it. Read the full breakdown on Techcrier https://lnkd.in/e7z6Eaig

Access to money is one thing. Knowing how to use it effectively is another. Many businesses collapse not for lack of funding, but because of weak structures and missing systems. In East Africa, over 70% of startups fail before year 5, often due to poor financial planning or lack of strategic guidance. That means money alone cannot solve the challenge. What businesses need is structured financing capital tied with accountability, mentorship, and systems that protect growth. Like scaffolding that supports a building as it rises, structures keep businesses stable as they expand. King’s Investments Holdings envisions financing that comes with frameworks, not just cheques. Imagine how many businesses would survive if money came with mentorship. Would Africa’s failure rate drop? #businessgrowth #ScalingBusiness #BusinessFinancing

They said he was too young. Too ambitious. Too confident for his age. But Tony Elumelu didn’t wait for permission. At 34, he led a group of young bankers to take over a struggling institution — Standard Trust Bank. Everyone thought it would fail. But within a few years, it became one of Nigeria’s most profitable banks. Then came the boldest move yet. In 2005, Tony led one of the largest mergers in African banking — between Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA). People called it madness. He called it vision. From a local Nigerian bank, he turned UBA into a pan-African powerhouse — serving millions across more than 20 countries. But that wasn’t the end. When most billionaires chase more wealth, Tony started giving others the chance to build theirs. In 2010, he launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation — with a $100 million commitment to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs. He didn’t just give grants. He built a system. A structure of mentorship, training, and funding — designed to create jobs and ignite innovation across the continent. He believes that the future of Africa won’t be built by governments — but by entrepreneurs. And he’s right. Today, over 15,000 entrepreneurs have been trained and funded through his program. Their businesses are transforming industries — from agriculture to fintech. Tony Elumelu didn’t just make money. He made multipliers. People who create opportunity wherever they go. His message is simple: You don’t need to wait for a savior. You can become the one who changes your world. Because true wealth isn’t what you keep. It’s what you empower others to build. Think Out of the Box – Launch Out.