AfDB Approves €6.5m for Tech Start-Ups

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €6.5 million investment in the Saviu II fund to support technology start-ups in Francophone West and Central Africa.

The Bank said €4.5 million will be invested as equity, while €2 million will serve as a first-loss hedging tranche on behalf of the European Commission under the Boost Africa Programme.

“This participation will enable the Saviu II fund to give priority to companies with a strong technological or digital component,” AfDB stated.

Saviu II, managed by Saviu Partners, plans to invest between €500,000 and €3 million in about 20 B2B technology start-ups at seed stage or during their first institutional fundraising.

At least 60% of commitments will target French-speaking countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The fund may also co-invest in East African firms with strategies to expand into Francophone markets.

A dedicated envelope will be devoted to pre-seed investments, focusing on minority equity stakes, often in partnership with incubators, studios, or ecosystem partners.

Saviu Partners has built experience in early-stage tech investment. Its first fund, Saviu I, launched in 2018 with €10 million, invested in 12 start-ups across Francophone West Africa.

The firm provides hands-on support in business development, recruitment, international expansion, and fundraising, aiming to strengthen high-potential start-ups and foster regional innovation.