By Eric Osiakwan
This isn't my first visit to Angel Fair Africa; I was part of the 2016 group that presented in Kenya with my initial startup, MicroClinics, which I secured funding for, developed, and eventually sold.[1]I then used the earnings from that project to start CheckUPS COVA.[2]"So this is my second time attending the event, but this time in New York City," – these were the opening words of Dr. Moka Lantum from CheckUPS COVA as he took the stage to present at the 12th edition.thAngel Fair Africa (AFA@12) held at the Google Office in New York on September 19, 2025.
Melissa McCoy, the CEO of Connected Med, was also among the four.thAngel Fair Africa class of 2016 (AFA@4), held in Nairobi, Kenya. She established, developed her business, and sold the company to Merck, a global pharmaceutical firm, following which she became part of Google.[3]
Angel Fair Africa has generated over $100M in transactions since it began, featuring strong exit histories such as CheckUPS COVA and Connected Med.
We anticipate the New York City edition to produce more innovative deals. During her opening keynote fireside chat, Archangel Esther Dyson stated, "I used the proceeds from selling my shares in Facebook and Square, which were my most successful exits, to establish a non-profit named Wellville, a ten-year initiative running from 2014 to 2024 that supported five U.S. communities as they aimed to enhance long-term, equitable community well-being." She added that, based on her experience, angel investing is more about gaining knowledge than making money — they are inversely correlated, noted Ms. Dyson, who is currently working on a book titled "Term Limits" — set for release in 2027.
The "Investors in Africa" panel, led by Tinyiko Valoyi, a Partner at Chanzo Capital in South Africa, included Dr. Ola Brown, Managing Partner of HealthCap Africa in Nigeria; Attorney Achumboro Ataande, CEO of Ataande & Advisors in Ghana and the US; Candice Morgan, Co-Founder of BAG Collective in the US; and Steven Grin, Managing Partner at Lateral Frontiers in South Africa and the US.
Their discussion focused on how the continent is emerging from the funding winter that led to the failure of several well-funded startups, such as Copia (Kenya, e-commerce 2024), Dash (Ghana, fintech 2025), Bento Africa (Nigeria, HR and payroll, 2025), among others. One key takeaway from that time was the funding surge that supported businesses with weak unit economics and founders who were overly confident in their own publicity.
The "Builders in Africa" panel featured Iyinoluwa Aboyeji from Future Africa, Nigeria; Barbara Iyayi from Liquid Credit, US; Alexandre N’djore from Digitech, Cote d’Ivoire; and Benjamin Fernandes from NALA, Tanzania. The panelists agreed that building in Africa is more challenging and time-consuming than many founders and investors initially expect. "Looking back, if I had known how difficult and lengthy it would be, I wouldn't have started this journey," said Mr. N’djore, while Mr. Aboyeji confidently stated, "To succeed in Africa, one must have a high tolerance for pain."
The final keynote fireside chat included the renowned photographer, Lou Jones, who has spent 50 years documenting the Pan Africa Project, an initiative dedicated to capturing modern images of all 55 African nations.
Having worked with twelve countries, the project has published two volumes of their book, featuring remarkable photographs related to healthcare, industry, media, business, and culture across the continent. The initiative seeks to introduce these images into the American school system in an effort to alter the long-standing stereotypical image of Africa presented by the developed world.
These powerful panels and keynotes were mixed with presentations from eleven outstanding entrepreneurs. After Dr. Moka Lantum, Chief Executive ofCheckUPS COVA, Kenya initiated the discussion with Africa's first health benefits trading platform, followed by Radhika Bhachu, the CEO ofNdovu, also from Kenya, who has created a platform similar to Robinhood for Africa, enabling the average African to invest in high-performing stocks in global markets. Next: Agnes Mukuiya, Chief of Staff ofChipMangoa progressive company dedicated to educating the future leaders in microchip development.
The chip mango leader handed over the pitch baton to Cordy Joseph, Chief Marketing Officer ofTimo Rides, a software developer working on a decentralized ride-hailing platform in South Africa. Cordy Joseph was followed by Mutembei Kariuki, CEO ofFastagger, a new initiative that reduces AI models to operate on smartphones and field systems – even without internet access. Max Smith, founder and CEO ofLengo AI, an AI co-pilot tailored for emerging markets, concluded the initial round of presentations.
Following lunch, Aziz Omar, Chief Executive ofSaveApp, developer of a save and spend platform introduced the company's specialized product, while Matthew Nam, founder & CEO ofViaNextaemphasized the company's platform that links coffee growers directly with purchasers, while offering prompt access for roasters, storage facilities, and responsible procurement.
Then, Michael Ogundare, Chief Executive Officer ofCrop2Cashpresented the company's approach to formal financing, including access to credit and creating a digital financial profile, making it available to smallholder farmers. Baba Afolabi of Babatronics who introduced the venture's productTitàTax, which automates sales processes, tax submission, and regulatory adherence, making compliance automatic.
Key moments of the day featured a photo shoot (see below), showcasing the founders along with AFA@12 partners, followed by a closing mixer at the Gentlemen’s Factory.
AFA@12 was supported by Chanzo Capital, Five Two Five, Google, BAG Collective, Ataande & Advisors, Gentlemen’s Factory, COSSA Africa, Kenya Airways and media collaborators; Africa.com, ITEdge News, Business & Financial Times, Tech Moran and My JoyOnline.
[1] https://globalhealth.duke.edu/events/social-entrepreneurship-practice-global-health
[2] https://www.ashoka-visionaryprogram.org/ashoka_people/dr-moka-lantum/
[3] https://ventureburn.com/2019/04/connectmed-founder-joins-google/
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
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