African Development Bank Fellowship for Aspiring Fund Managers – Now Open !

Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) is pleased to introduce the African Development Bank Fellowship for Emerging Fund Managers—a groundbreaking initiative by the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at empowering 20 up-and-coming African fund managers.

Selected by AfDB as the implementing partner, I&P will leverage its dual experience as both General Partner (GP) and Limited Partner (LP) to lead this pioneering capacity-building program. Designed specifically to meet the needs and ambitions of African fund managers, the fellowship offers a unique opportunity to strengthen skills, gain insights, and scale impact in Africa’s investment ecosystem.

This 8-month fellowship is tailored to support emerging African fund managers who are actively investing across the continent and aiming to expand their impact. The African Development Bank Fellowship for Emerging Fund Managers tackles key challenges fund managers face by providing a strategic mix of technical training, personalized expert guidance, and valuable networking opportunities to accelerate their growth and success.

A Response to Sector-Wide Challenges

The Fellowship comes at a critical time for the African investment ecosystem. While the continent is rich in entrepreneurial talent and investment opportunities, many emerging fund managers face major hurdles, such as:

• Difficulty accessing capital and building trust with institutional investors and Development Finance Institutions
• Complexities in fund structuring and meeting diverse limited partner expectations
• Operational challenges around team management, deal execution, and compliance
• Growing expectations around climate finance, gender-lens investing, and impact measurement
• Limited access to established limited partner networks
• Broader macroeconomic and perception-related barriers, particularly for youth- and women-led funds

Check: Top Scholarships and Fellowships for African Professionals of the Week in 2025–2026

Benefits African Development Bank Fellowship

The program offers a dynamic combination of formats designed to deliver learning opportunities, enhance visibility, and provide tailored support.

• Master the Fundamentals: Interactive webinars and deep dives into critical topics such as fundraising strategy, investment execution, impact measurement, and legal structuring
• Immerse & Connect: A bootcamp held alongside a major ecosystem event, offering visibility and unique networking opportunities
• Tailored Expert Insights: One-on-one mentorship with experienced private equity and venture capital professionals offering customized guidance to tackle your biggest strategic and operational challenges
• Unlock Networking Potential: Continuous access to a network of limited partners, investors, and like-minded fund managers across the continent

Who Should Apply for African Development Bank Fellowship?

The Fellowship is open to emerging PE and VC fund managers who:

• Are actively investing in Africa
• Have either secured initial commitments, are at launch or close of first-time fund
• Have relatively small, high-potential portfolios with clear additionality
• Are focusing on underserved sectors or geographies
• Have less than USD 50M in assets under management

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