Viktoria Ventures has been crowned the “Angel Network of the Year 2025” at the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit (AESIS) in Cape Town, a flagship continental forum hosted by the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) and VC4A.

The award marks a defining moment for the pan-African angel investing organization and underscores the growing maturity of Africa’s early-stage investment landscape.

The recognition caps years of work by Viktoria Ventures to professionalize angel investing across the continent—building investor capacity, establishing support structures, and strengthening the community required to fuel African innovation.

“Our belief has always been simple: if Africa’s startup ecosystem is to thrive, angel investors must be empowered with the right tools, community support, and access to deal flow,” said Stephen Gugu, CEO of Viktoria Ventures. “This award validates our mission to build the network, capacity, and community that drives African innovation forward.”

In the run-up to the summit, Viktoria Ventures co-hosted the AESIS Nairobi Investor Meetup alongside Jasiri4Africa, Von Seidels, and the Nairobi Business Angel Network. The gathering attracted leading investors and ecosystem enablers, all focused on one central question:
How can local capital be mobilized to accelerate African innovation?

Discussions emphasized the need for deeper collaboration, aligned incentives, and shared responsibility to unlock local capital for early-stage ventures. The energy generated in Nairobi set the tone for the continental summit—culminating in the Cape Town award.

At the heart of Viktoria Ventures’ impact is the Angel Leads Program, delivered under the African Angel Academy (AAA) and sponsored by UK Kenya Tech Hub.

Key elements include a six-week self-paced curriculum, live masterclasses, mentorship, and technical support in deal structuring, diligence, and portfolio building. The program has already:

• Trained 22 angel investors,

• Supported the formation of the Moneva Syndicate, and

• Facilitated the syndicate’s investment in Afyalishe Wellness Ltd, a Kenyan functional foods company.

Through this program, Viktoria Ventures is strengthening localized investment networks and catalyzing community-led angel participation across Kenya and beyond.

Viktoria Ventures has steadily expanded its presence as one of Africa’s foremost angel development platforms. To date, the organization has:

• Trained 797 angel investors,

• Reached participants across 38 African countries,

• Delivered a comprehensive curriculum led by seasoned ecosystem leaders, and

• Built one of the most active early-stage investor communities on the continent.

Its alumni are increasingly shaping Africa’s investment landscape. Notably, AAA alumna Yemi Keri was elected President of ABAN, highlighting the program’s widespread influence.

To further enhance investor readiness and access to high-quality deal flow, Viktoria Ventures has also partnered with Africa: The Big Deal, giving AAA alumni priority access to curated investment opportunities.

Winning the “Angel Network of the Year” title signals a new chapter rather than a finish line. Viktoria Ventures says it remains committed to empowering bold early-stage investors who will chart the continent’s next wave of innovation.

The organization will launch AAA Cohort 13 in 2026, opening its doors to both new and experienced investors eager to join one of Africa’s most influential angel investing platforms.

NovaPLUS, one of Kenya’s fastest-rising digital platforms, has been crowned Pacesetter of the Year in E-commerce at the 9th Annual International Pacesetters Awards held at the Swiss Lenana Mount Hotel, Nairobi.

The recognition coincided with the official launch of the company’s e-commerce platform, positioning NovaPLUS as a disruptive entrant in Kenya’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The International Pacesetters Awards are regarded as a premier recognition of industry leadership, celebrating organizations that exemplify innovation, impact, and excellence.

NovaPLUS was recognized for its pioneering role in digital business discovery, e-commerce advertising, and verified business directory solutions—services designed to transform how businesses connect with customers and how consumers discover trusted providers.

Founded in 2024, NovaPLUS has set out to democratize digital visibility by providing enterprises of all sizes with verified listings and advanced advertising tools.

Already, the platform has onboarded a wide range of businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to established brands in hospitality, real estate, services, and lifestyle.

What differentiates the platform is its focus on credibility: every listing undergoes a verification process, addressing one of the biggest challenges in Kenya’s online commerce—consumer trust.

Kenya’s e-commerce sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. Data from the Competition Authority of Kenya projects penetration to rise from 40.3% in 2020 to 53.6% by 2025, fueled by online retail, food delivery, and digital services.

As of early 2025, internet usage in Kenya reached nearly 48%, representing over 27 million users, while social media users topped 15 million. SMEs are leading the digital shift, with 91% adopting digital payments—40% of them within the past two years—and 68% planning to invest further in secure and contactless systems.

Speaking at the ceremony, NovaPLUS CEO Bashir Mohamed said the company’s mission is to empower businesses with visibility and customers with safety.

“Kenya is at the heart of Africa’s digital transformation, and we see NovaPLUS as the gateway for businesses and users to thrive in this new economy,” he said. “Our goal is to level the playing field for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and corporates alike, and winning the Pacesetter of the Year award validates that e-commerce in Kenya is ready for a new chapter—one that is inclusive, trusted, and designed for sustainable growth.”

The award comes at a time when fraud remains a pressing concern in Kenya’s online marketplace. A 2024 report by TransUnion revealed that 82% of Kenyans had been targeted by fraud, with 11% admitting financial losses. Nearly 5% of all digital transactions were flagged as suspected fraud, with retail accounting for the highest exposure at 11.7%.

This has significantly dented consumer confidence, with 80% citing fear of fraud as the main reason for abandoning online services.

NovaPLUS is seeking to counter this trend by making trust and transparency its defining features. In addition to vetting every listed business, the platform integrates user ratings, reviews, and secure advertising pathways, ensuring customers only engage with credible providers.

The company has also committed to strengthening fraud safeguards while educating users and businesses on safe digital engagement.

With its official launch and industry recognition, NovaPLUS plans to scale aggressively, targeting key sectors such as hospitality, travel, real estate, automotive, electronics, and lifestyle.

The platform aims to onboard thousands of businesses while expanding its suite of digital marketing and discovery tools.

As Kenya’s digital commerce matures, NovaPLUS is positioning itself not just as another marketplace, but as a trusted ecosystem for inclusive growth. Its recognition as Pacesetter of the Year signals both validation of its business model and momentum to shape the next chapter of Kenya’s e-commerce story.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has revealed the distinguished winners of the 2025 Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge (FFIC), a pioneering pan-African competition aimed at uncovering scalable, innovative solutions that enhance the nutritional quality of food through fortification and biofortification techniques.

The initiative underscores GAIN’s commitment to combating malnutrition by fostering technological advancements that are both effective and adaptable across diverse African contexts.

Finalists from East and West Africa convened at high-profile finale events in July 2025, held respectively in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Cotonou, Benin.

Over the course of two intensive days, these innovative entrepreneurs showcased their breakthroughs to an engaged audience, interacted with mentors, and participated actively in knowledge-sharing sessions led by experts, policymakers, and influential figures within both the nutrition sector and the broader food value chain.

Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of GAIN, emphasized the transformative potential of food fortification and biofortification, describing these approaches as “game-changing yet underutilised solutions to malnutrition.”

He elaborated, “Through Fortify Forward, we are not only identifying breakthrough African innovations, but also supporting them with the tools necessary to grow, scale, and ultimately save lives.”

Understanding the core of what Fortify Forward supports helps illuminate why these solutions matter. Food fortification involves the addition of vital micronutrients—such as iron, zinc, vitamin A, and iodine—to common staples like flour, cooking oil, and salt, enabling populations to consume these nutrients without needing to alter their habitual diets.

Conversely, biofortification enhances the nutrient content of crops at the seed level, increasing the levels of critical vitamins and minerals in foods such as maize, cassava, and sweet potatoes.

Both fortification methods are scientifically proven, cost-effective strategies to address “hidden hunger”—a form of micronutrient deficiency that compromises immunity, hampers children’s growth, and diminishes productivity—thus representing crucial tools in combating malnutrition.

The journey of FFIC 2025 began early in January 2025 with extensive outreach campaigns across eight African nations: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Benin. Following a rigorous application review process in April and May, finalists were selected in June.

The shortlisted entrepreneurs then participated in virtual training sessions focusing on business development, nutrition, and innovation, preparing them for the pivotal final events in July.

The winners of the challenge received grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 and became part of a comprehensive, long-term support program aimed at nurturing their innovations’ growth and impact.

Beyond financial awards, each laureate benefited from tailored mentorship from seasoned professionals in nutrition, agricultural technology, entrepreneurship, and impact investment. They also gained access to technical assistance aimed at strengthening their fortification processes and scaling their solutions.

The program emphasizes capacity building in key areas such as marketing and business development and offers ongoing support from GAIN and its partners.

Participation also opens doors for increased visibility, allowing winners to promote their solutions through GAIN’s media channels, while facilitating vital networking opportunities with investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders within African food systems. This exposure is designed to amplify their reach and deepen impact.

Despite notable progress, malnutrition remains a pressing challenge across the continent. In East Africa, 23 million people in Kenya suffer from undernutrition, while Ethiopia and Rwanda report stunting rates exceeding 33% among children under five. West Africa faces similar issues, with Nigeria carrying the second-highest global burden of stunted children, and in Benin, more than half of women (58%) suffer from anemia. As Françoise Sayi, GAIN Benin Country Director, highlighted, “Across Benin, nutritious food is still too often unaffordable and inaccessible. The winners of this challenge are showing us a better path—one where technology and local innovation improve diets and lives.”

Adding to this momentum, Prisca Rwezahura, GAIN Tanzania Country Director, noted, “Tanzania has pioneered large-scale food fortification, and it’s inspiring to see new innovators building on that work. We are proud to have championed the Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge and to play a key role in advancing nutrition security across Africa.”

Highlighted below are some of the standout innovator projects from East and West Africa:

East Africa Winners:

• Aston Steven Shayo, Agroasys (Tanzania): Developed a blockchain platform ensuring traceability, fair pricing, and transparency in agriculture.
• Judy Mwende Mutunga, Fortified Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Flours (Kenya): Created fortified flour enriched with iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
• Samuel Uwihanganye, Monti 7 in 1 Composite Flour (Rwanda): Produced multi-ingredient flour supplemented with iron-rich beans to support maternal and child health.
• Mukhammad Ramadhani Costa, MOODY POP – Fortified Porridge (Tanzania): Developed fortified porridge flour containing iron, B12, zinc, and folic acid.
• John Makongoro Masero, Kwanzaa Venture (Tanzania): Focused on fortified porridge made from local grains and micronutrients targeting rural markets.
• Reggie Joseph Okoko, Digital Traceability Platform (Kenya): Created a system to map biofortified foods along the supply chain.
• Nicholas Obudho Simon, TAWIAFYA TRACK (Kenya): Innovated QR code and RFID system to track and certify biofortified crops.
• Odwour Erich Midigo, Udongo Kwa Maisha (Kenya): Fortified sorghum with local nutrient-rich foods and digital tools for farmers.
• Niyibikora Aime, Fortified Instant Porridge (Rwanda): Designed ready-to-eat fortified porridge for school children.
• Charite Abijuru, MamaToto Mix (Rwanda): Created cricket-based fortified porridge aimed at maternal and child nutrition.
• Ezekiel Daniel, Fortified Yogurt (Tanzania): Developed yogurt enriched with vitamin A, zinc, iron, and calcium.

West Africa Winners:

• Uzoma Chidimma, Enhancing Nutrition Through Fortified Yogurts (Nigeria): Produced fortified yogurt employing micro-dosing and consumer education.
• Yetunde Adegbite, CarroNutra (Nigeria): Developed a solar-hybrid system to produce beta-carotene-rich carrot powder for natural fortification.
• Cynthia Adams, Biofortified Vitamin A Maize Products (Nigeria): Created fortified maize flour, cereal, and snacks sourced from women farmers.
• Ini Jimmy, Palmshops (Nigeria): Offered an integrated platform providing traceability, farmer training, and market access for biofortified crops.
• Bide Adegnandjou Ruth Doris, Bisikuiti Fonio (Benin): Developed a nutritious, fortified biscuit made from fonio, enriched with essential micronutrients.
• Noua Gbemisola Christiane, École Doctorale des Sciences Agronomiques et de l’Eau (Benin): Conducted research on integrating orange-fleshed sweet potato into recipes and outreach.
• Theresa Abimbola Awotundun, Biofortified Locust Beans (Nigeria): Fermented African locust beans enhanced with folate using microbial techniques.
• Endurance Awolowo, Distrifoods Nigeria (Nigeria): Utilized microbial phytase to improve mineral absorption in staple foods.
• Victor Enyojo Agi, FortiCart (Nigeria): Created a mobile, solar-powered market cart to fortify foods and educate consumers at rural markets.
• Yehouessi L. Wilfried, Fortified Tomato Purée (Benin): Made vitamin A-fortified tomato purée with protective packaging.
• Alladahouinnon Eddy Géraud Metogbé, Mandagbé (Benin): Fortified leafy vegetables with iodized salt during processing.
• Chinenye Unoka, IoT-Enabled Food Fortification (Nigeria): Developed a solar-powered fortification system monitored via IoT with a digital distribution platform.

The African Business Chamber (AfBC) is set to host its prestigious African Business Awards and Gala Dinner 2025 on Thursday, 3 July, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London.

This annual event has become a key fixture in the business calendar, celebrating the remarkable achievements of African enterprises, entrepreneurs, and leaders both in the UK and across the globe.

The awards ceremony shines a spotlight on excellence, innovation, and impact among African and diaspora-led businesses across diverse sectors, including finance, technology, trade, healthcare, sustainability, creative industries, and professional services.

This year’s edition aims to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding leadership, significant economic contributions, and a strong commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Highlight categories include Top 100 Business Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Start-Up & New Business of the Year, and Excellence awards spanning technology, healthcare, creative industries, financial services, and more.

Special recognitions and honorary awards will also be presented to those who have made exceptional contributions within their field, promoting international trade, social enterprise, diaspora engagement, and community development.

The evening’s program will feature keynote speeches, high-level networking opportunities, and vibrant cultural performances that reflect the rich diversity of Africa’s business landscape.

Event organizer Eugene Nizeyimana, CEO of AfBC, expressed enthusiasm: “The African Business Awards are more than a celebration—they’re a platform to inspire, connect, and elevate African excellence. This year, we’re proud to honor those shaping the future of business across Africa and its diaspora.”

Nominations are open to businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations, and professionals, with submissions accepted via email at info@african-chamber.com. The deadline for nominations is Friday, 27 June 2025. Attendees must register in advance, as spaces are limited. To secure your ticket and reserve your place, visit Eventbrite link.