Tag: investing in africa

  • Les 9 principales tendances qui ont façonné la BRVM en 2023

    Les 9 principales tendances qui ont façonné la BRVM en 2023

    L’une des principales questions que se posent souvent les investisseurs souhaitant diversifier leur portefeuille est : “Où investir en Afrique ?” Les actions africaines offrent certaines des opportunités les plus prometteuses pour les investisseurs particuliers et institutionnels.

    Dans ce blog, nous explorons certaines des tendances marquantes sur la bourse l’année dernière et pourquoi les investisseurs intéressés par l’Afrique devraient se tourner vers la Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), la bourse régionale desservant huit pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest francophones.

    Qu’est-ce que la BRVM ?

    La Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) sert de bourse régionale pour les États membres de l’Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine (UEMOA).

    Il s’agit notamment du Bénin, du Burkina Faso, de la Côte d’Ivoire, de la Guinée-Bissau, du Mali, du Niger, du Sénégal et du Togo.

    Malgré des défis tels que l’inflation et les tensions politiques, la BRVM a fait preuve de résilience en 2023, avec son indice composite affichant une croissance constante.

    1. BOA, Sonatel, Orange en tête

    L’année dernière, 21 actions ont connu des périodes prospères, enregistrant des gains en capital notables, tandis que 23 actions ont connu un déclin, avec 2 maintenant la stabilité.

    Les secteurs de la finance et des services publics ont notamment contribué à l’orientation positive du marché boursier de la BRVM, enregistrant des gains de 14,45 % et 8,64 % respectivement.

    Notamment, des actions au sein de ces secteurs, telles que Sonatel et Orange Côte d’Ivoire, ont joué un rôle crucial dans cette performance. BOA CI s’est révélé être le meilleur performer, affichant un gain impressionnant de 86,35 %, alimenté par les opportunités dans le secteur bancaire ivoirien.

    L’indice composite de la BRVM, l’indicateur de performance global, a connu une croissance initiale modeste à 203,22 points (+0,46 %). Cependant, il a conclu l’année avec une augmentation notable de 5,38 %, atteignant 214,15 points, marquant ainsi sa troisième année consécutive de croissance.

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    2. Augmentation de la distribution de dividendes

    Malgré les défis de 2022 et les directives prudentes de la BCEAO concernant la distribution de dividendes des banques, les sociétés cotées à la BRVM ont considérablement augmenté la rémunération des actionnaires en 2023. Les dividendes distribués aux investisseurs ont augmenté de 25,82%, totalisant 647,8 milliards de FCFA.

    Des entreprises telles que Sonatel, Orange CI, Société Générale CI, Ecobank CI et Société Ivoirienne de Banque se sont démarquées en distribuant des sommes substantielles à leurs actionnaires.

    3. Brandon McCain acquiert des actions dans BICICI

    Brandon McCain Capital, dirigé par Ahmed Cissé, a acquis une participation de 19,11% dans BICICI auprès du groupe SUNU bancassurance. Cette transaction, évaluée à 22,12 milliards de FCFA, marque un changement significatif dans la structure de l’actionnariat de BICICI.

    4. Vista Group négocie le rachat d’actions d’Oragroup

    Le Vista Group a engagé des discussions pour le rachat des actions d’Oragroup détenues par ECP. Cet accord, avec un consortium dirigé par Emerging Capital Partners, vise à faire de Vista le principal actionnaire d’Oragroup, détenant plus de 61% des actions.

    Cependant, des divergences de valorisation entre ECP et le groupe de Simon Tiemtoré posent des défis à l’achèvement de l’accord.

    5. La BRVM dépasse la barre des 8 000 milliards de FCFA

    Un jalon important atteint par la BRVM en 2023 a été son franchissement historique de la barre des 8 000 milliards de FCFA en capitalisation boursière. Cette occasion mémorable a eu lieu le 12 septembre 2023, propulsée par des sommets notables dans les actions de Société Générale CI et Orange CI, au milieu d’augmentations généralisées.

    Par la suite, le 20 septembre 2023, la BRVM est devenue le cinquième marché le plus important en Afrique, avec une capitalisation boursière de 12,861 milliards de dollars, dépassant celle de la bourse de Nairobi de 9,77 milliards de dollars.

    La cotation d’Orange Côte d’Ivoire à la fin de 2022 a largement contribué à cette réalisation, représentant environ 20% de la capitalisation boursière totale.

    Malgré une baisse du volume global des transactions de 45,8% par rapport à 2022, la valeur des transactions a augmenté de 41,2%, atteignant 246 milliards de FCFA en 2023, reflétant une évolution positive du marché.

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    Daba Finance Invest Africa BRVM hits major milestone

    6. Acquisition du groupe Crédit d’Afrique par Alios Finance

    Le 12 décembre, Tunisie Leasing et Factoring a annoncé son accord avec le groupe Crédit d’Afrique, dirigé par l’entrepreneur à succès Serge BILE, pour l’acquisition de ses filiales.

    Cette acquisition comprend des participations majoritaires dans les filiales d’Alios Finance en Côte d’Ivoire, au Cameroun et au Gabon. Alors que la filiale ivoirienne était confrontée à des défis financiers, cette vente pourrait potentiellement découler des performances financières des filiales.

    Safca, contrôlée à 52,02% par Alios Finance, a connu une augmentation significative de 47,16% de sa valeur boursière à la BRVM à la fin de l’année.

    7. Records historiques pour Ecobank CI, Société Générale CI et SIB

    En 2023, certaines actions ont atteint leurs prix les plus élevés depuis leur introduction à la BRVM. Notamment, Ecobank CI, Nestlé CI, Orange CI, Société Générale CI et SIB ont atteint des jalons significatifs dans leur évolution de prix.

    Ces développements, tout en reflétant un sentiment de marché positif, peuvent avoir un impact sur les bénéfices, les dividendes et les actifs nets. Les attentes élevées des investisseurs pourraient entraîner une augmentation des ratios cours/bénéfices et une baisse de la rentabilité moyenne, affectant l’attrait des actions en fonction du rendement des dividendes.

    8. Meilleurs rendements offerts lors des publications

    Avec la publication des états financiers pour 2022 au cours de 2023, plusieurs entreprises se sont distinguées par le niveau de rémunération des actionnaires qu’elles ont offert. BOA BF a mené le classement avec un rendement de dividende notable de 11,09%, suivi par Palmci à 11,05%.

    Nestlé CI, BOA CI et SOGB ont complété le top 5 avec des rendements respectifs de 10,79%, 10,40% et 10,30%. Cet indicateur, avec un rendement moyen en dividendes de plus de 10%, a contribué à renforcer la confiance des investisseurs dans le marché boursier.

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    9. Les concessions de Sonatel

    Malgré sa domination de longue date, Sonatel s’est retrouvé déplacé en tant que géant de la capitalisation boursière à la BRVM, cédant la première place à son homologue ivoirien, Orange CI.

    L’introduction en bourse réussie d’Orange Côte d’Ivoire, la plus importante jamais réalisée sur le marché de la BRVM, a suscité l’excitation du marché, propulsant sa valeur boursière de près de 15% en seulement deux séances.

    Cependant, la consolidation post-introduction en bourse a permis à Sonatel de récupérer sa position, partageant désormais la domination du marché avec Orange CI, commandant collectivement plus de 42% de la capitalisation boursière globale.

    Investir dans des actions africaines, en particulier via des plateformes comme la BRVM, offre aux investisseurs une porte d’entrée vers des opportunités diverses et prometteuses.

    En comprenant les tendances du marché, les développements stratégiques et la performance sectorielle, les investisseurs peuvent prendre des décisions éclairées sur où et comment investir dans les marchés boursiers dynamiques de l’Afrique, débloquant ainsi le potentiel de croissance du continent et contribuant au succès des investissements à long terme.

    La plateforme d’investissement de pointe de Daba offre aux investisseurs un moyen transparent et efficace de découvrir, de négocier et de surveiller les investissements sur la BRVM. Téléchargez dès maintenant l’application Daba pour commencer à constituer votre portefeuille BRVM dès aujourd’hui.

    XOF 1 = USD 0.0016 as of February 18, 2024.

    Divulgation : Cet article a été publié à l’origine sur Sika Finance et régénéré avec l’IA.

  • Top 9 Trends That Shaped The BRVM In 2023

    Top 9 Trends That Shaped The BRVM In 2023

    One of the key questions investors looking to diversify their portfolios often ask is, “Where to invest in Africa?” African stocks offer some of the most promising opportunities for retail and institutional investors.

    In this blog, we explore some of the standout trends on the bourse last year and why investors interested in Africa should look to the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), the regional stock exchange serving eight francophone West African countries.

    What is the BRVM?

    The Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) serves as the regional stock exchange for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) member states. 

    These include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. 

    Despite facing challenges like inflation and political tensions, the BRVM demonstrated resilience in 2023, with its composite index showing consistent growth.

    1. BOA, Sonatel, Orange Lead The Pack

    Last year, 21 stocks experienced prosperous periods, witnessing notable capital gains, while 23 stocks ended in decline, with 2 maintaining stability. 

    The finance and public services sectors notably contributed to the positive direction of the BRVM stock market, recording gains of 14.45% and 8.64%, respectively. 

    Notably, stocks within these sectors, such as Sonatel and Orange Côte d’Ivoire, played a pivotal role in this performance. BOA CI emerged as the top performer, boasting an impressive 86.35% gain, fueled by opportunities within the Ivorian banking sector.

    The BRVM Composite, the comprehensive performance indicator, exhibited a modest initial growth to 203.22 points (+0.46%). However, it concluded the year with a notable surge of 5.38%, reaching 214.15 points, marking its third consecutive year of growth.

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    2. Increased Dividend Distribution

    Despite challenges in 2022 and cautious directives from the BCEAO regarding dividend distributions from banks, BRVM-listed companies significantly increased shareholder remuneration in 2023. Dividends distributed to investors rose by 25.82%, totaling 647.8 billion FCFA. 

    Companies such as Sonatel, Orange CI, Société Générale CI, Ecobank CI, and Société Ivoirienne de Banque stood out by distributing substantial sums to their shareholders.

    3. Brandon McCain Acquires Shares in BICICI

    Brandon McCain Capital, led by Ahmed Cissé, acquired a 19.11% stake in BICICI from the SUNU bancassurance group. This transaction, valued at 22.12 billion FCFA, marks a significant change in BICICI’s shareholding structure.

    4. Vista Group Negotiates Oragroup Share Repurchase

    The Vista Group engaged in discussions for the repurchase of ECP’s shares in Oragroup. This agreement, with a consortium led by Emerging Capital Partners, aims to make Vista the majority shareholder of Oragroup, holding over 61% of shares. 

    However, valuation discrepancies between ECP and Simon Tiemtoré’s group pose challenges to the deal’s completion.

    5. BRVM Surpasses 8 Trillion FCFA Mark

    A significant milestone achieved by the BRVM in 2023 was its historic crossing of the 8,000 billion FCFA mark in market capitalization. This momentous occasion occurred on September 12, 2023, propelled by notable peaks in Société Générale CI and Orange CI stocks amid widespread increases. 

    Subsequently, on September 20, 2023, the BRVM ascended to become the fifth-largest market in Africa, boasting a market capitalization of 12.861 billion dollars, surpassing the Nairobi stock exchange’s capitalization of 9.77 billion dollars. 

    The listing of Orange Côte d’Ivoire at the end of 2022 significantly contributed to this achievement, accounting for around 20% of the overall market capitalization. 

    Despite a decline in overall volume transacted by 45.8% compared to 2022, the value of transactions increased by 41.2%, reaching 246 billion FCFA in 2023, reflecting positive market evolution.

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    Daba Finance Invest Africa BRVM hits major milestone

    6. Credit d’Afrique Group’s Acquisition of Alios Finance

    On December 12, Tunisie Leasing et Factoring announced its agreement with Credit d’Afrique Group, led by successful entrepreneur Serge BILE, for the acquisition of its subsidiaries. 

    This acquisition includes majority shares in Alios Finance subsidiaries in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Gabon. While the Ivorian subsidiary faced financial challenges, this sale potentially stemmed from the subsidiaries’ financial performance. 

    Safca, controlled at 52.02% by Alios Finance, experienced a significant increase of 47.16% in its stock value at BRVM by the year’s end.

    7. Historic Highs for Ecobank CI, Société Générale CI, and SIB

    2023 saw certain stocks reaching their highest prices since their introduction to the BRVM. Notably, Ecobank CI, Nestlé CI, Orange CI, Société Générale CI, and SIB achieved significant milestones in their price evolution. 

    These developments, while reflecting positive market sentiment, may impact profits, dividends, and net assets. Investors’ high expectations could lead to increased price-earnings ratios and a decline in average profitability, affecting stocks’ attractiveness based on dividend yield.

    8. Highest Returns Offered During Publications

    With the release of financial statements for 2022 during 2023, several companies stood out for the level of shareholder remuneration they offered. BOA BF led the rankings with a notable dividend yield of 11.09%, followed by Palmci at 11.05%. 

    Nestlé CI, BOA CI, and SOGB rounded out the top 5 with respective returns of 10.79%, 10.40%, and 10.30%. This indicator, with an average dividend yield of more than 10%, contributed to reinforcing investors’ confidence in the stock market.

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    9. Sonatel’s Concessions

    Despite its long-standing dominance, Sonatel found itself displaced as the market capitalization giant at BRVM, ceding the top position to its Ivorian counterpart, Orange CI. 

    Orange Côte d’Ivoire’s successful IPO, the largest ever conducted on the BRVM market, triggered market excitement, propelling its stock value by around 15% in just two sessions. 

    However, post-IPO consolidation allowed Sonatel to reclaim its position, now sharing the market dominance with Orange CI, collectively commanding over 42% of the overall market capitalization.

    Why You Should Invest In Stocks On West Africa’s BRVM

    Investing in African stocks, particularly through platforms like the BRVM, offers investors a gateway to diverse and promising opportunities. 

    By understanding market trends, strategic developments, and sectoral performance, investors can make informed decisions on where and how to invest in Africa’s thriving stock markets, unlocking the continent’s growth potential and contributing to long-term investment success.

    Daba’s cutting-edge investment platform provides investors with a seamless and effective way to discover, trade, and monitor investments on the BRVM. Get the Daba application now to start building your BRVM portfolio today.

    XOF 1 = USD 0.0016 as of February 18, 2024.

    Disclosure: This article was originally published on Sika Finance and regenerated with AI.

  • Expliqué : Tout ce que vous devez savoir sur le Brexit de l’Afrique de l’Ouest

    Expliqué : Tout ce que vous devez savoir sur le Brexit de l’Afrique de l’Ouest

    Un séisme politique a frappé l’Afrique de l’Ouest le mois dernier, alors que trois nations dirigées par des juntas militaires annonçaient leur retrait de la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO), le bloc régional.

    Le Niger, le Mali et le Burkina Faso ont accusé la CEDEAO de ne pas les avoir soutenus contre la violence djihadiste et l’influence étrangère excessive, avant de quitter l’organisation fin janvier.

    Le départ abrupt a suscité des comparaisons avec le “Brexit” (le retrait du Royaume-Uni de l’Union européenne), marquant une rupture historique après des décennies de construction de liens économiques et politiques entre les 15 États membres.

    Alors que les répliques se font sentir dans toute la région, voici tout ce que vous devez savoir sur cette crise et ses implications profondes pour le commerce, la sécurité et la vie de millions de personnes en Afrique de l’Ouest.

    Qu’est-ce que la CEDEAO ?

    Fondée en 1975, la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) comprend 15 nations de la région.

    La CEDEAO vise à promouvoir la coopération régionale et le commerce, facilitant les déplacements sans visa pour améliorer les conditions de vie de sa population et assurer la stabilité économique.

    Elle joue également un rôle crucial dans les efforts de maintien de la paix dans une partie volatile du continent et est un allié sécuritaire important pour l’Occident, y compris les États-Unis.

    La présidence du bloc est tournante parmi ses États membres, le Nigeria, la puissance économique de la région, étant actuellement en charge.

    États membres de la CEDEAO

    Pourquoi le Burkina Faso, le Mali et le Niger ont-ils quitté la CEDEAO ?

    Ces dernières années, le Burkina Faso, le Mali et le Niger ont été submergés par des insurrections djihadistes et une instabilité politique, subissant plusieurs coups d’État.

    Le Mali a connu deux coups, un en 2020 et un autre en 2021. Le Burkina Faso a fait face à deux coups en moins d’un an en 2022. Enfin, le Niger a connu un coup d’État l’été dernier.

    La CEDEAO a réagi en suspendant les pays et en imposant des sanctions sévères. Cela a entraîné un ressentiment croissant et un défi de la part des juntas militaires qui dirigent désormais ces nations.

    Ils accusent la CEDEAO de ne pas avoir fourni de soutien contre le terrorisme et d’être influencée par des “puissances étrangères” comme la France.

    Le 28 janvier 2024, les trois pays ont annoncé conjointement leur retrait immédiat du bloc, critiquant les sanctions “illégales”.

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    Le Niger, le Mali et le Burkina Faso accusent la CEDEAO de ne pas les avoir soutenus contre la violence djihadiste et l’influence étrangère excessive.

    Comment la région a-t-elle réagi à cette décision ?

    La CEDEAO a exprimé sa tristesse face à cette décision. Le Nigeria, actuel président de la CEDEAO, a déclaré que les dirigeants de junte “non élus” déçoivent leur peuple mais restent ouverts au dialogue.

    Les analystes avertissent que les sanctions ont eu un effet contre-productif, alimentant le sentiment anti-français et resserrant les liens avec la Russie.

    La menace d’une intervention militaire contre le Niger a mobilisé les citoyens pour soutenir le coup d’État.

    Cette position ferme a sapé la crédibilité de la CEDEAO, mais souligne également l’instabilité alors que les armées prennent le pouvoir dans toute la région.

    Le président du Nigeria et président en exercice de la CEDEAO, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Quels seront les impacts du départ de la CEDEAO sur les pays ?

    La décision pourrait nuire gravement aux nations pauvres et enclavées du Sahel qui dépendent fortement du commerce transfrontalier.

    Le Niger partage 1 500 km de frontière avec le Nigeria et 80 % de son commerce se fait avec son voisin plus riche.

    La fermeture de la frontière par le Nigeria à la suite du coup d’État militaire qui a renversé le président Mohammed Bazoum met en péril des échanges d’une valeur d’environ 226 millions de dollars et des vies, selon plusieurs rapports.

    Pour tous les pays dirigés par des juntas, perdre l’accès au marché de la CEDEAO, évalué à 702 milliards de dollars, pourrait entraîner des pénuries, des hausses de prix, des tarifs douaniers accrus et des restrictions financières.

    À mesure que les citoyens seront confrontés à plus de difficultés économiques, la pression pourrait s’accentuer sur les régimes de junte fragiles luttant pour contenir la violence.

    Comment le “moment Brexit” affectera-t-il la région ?

    Les experts ont comparé la séparation imminente au Brexit, avertissant qu’elle pourrait prendre des années à être mise en œuvre mais qu’elle déferlerait des décennies d’intégration.

    Les flux commerciaux et de services de la région, d’une valeur de près de 150 milliards de dollars par an, seront perturbés.

    Cela soulève également des incertitudes autour des importantes populations de la diaspora du Burkina Faso, du Mali et du Niger vivant dans toute l’Afrique de l’Ouest.

    Par exemple, la Côte d’Ivoire accueille plus de 5 millions de migrants de ces nations.

    Dans le pire des cas, l’effondrement du bloc pourrait déclencher un exode massif.

    La CEDEAO a été critiquée pour avoir rapidement sanctionné les juntas militaires après des années d’inaction contre les dirigeants civils qui ont prolongé leur règne grâce à des élections ou référendums douteux dans des pays comme la Côte d’Ivoire et la Guinée.

    Cette double norme a réduit la crédibilité de la CEDEAO. De plus, bien que la CEDEAO ait menacé d’intervenir militairement, son incapacité à concrétiser ces menaces a encore affaibli sa position.

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    Le Niger partage 1 500 km de frontière avec le Nigeria et 80 % de son commerce se fait avec son voisin plus riche.

    Depuis longtemps, les experts en sécurité exhortent les pays régionaux à renforcer la coopération et le partage du renseignement pour faire face aux insurrections alimentées par la pauvreté, la négligence, les abus et l’idéologie.

    Cependant, la crise actuelle au sein de la CEDEAO met en évidence le fossé cro

    issant entre les gouvernements démocratiquement élus alliés à l’Occident et les États dirigés par des militaires de plus en plus dépendants de la Russie et de la Chine pour leur soutien.

    Cette scission entrave une réponse régionale coordonnée à l’insécurité croissante et aux insurrections.

    À l’avenir, la CEDEAO doit combler ce fossé et renforcer la collaboration entre ses États membres pour relever les défis communs.

    Comment les investisseurs peuvent-ils commercer avec le Brexit de l’Afrique de l’Ouest ?

    En tant qu’investisseur cherchant à négocier le Brexit de l’Afrique de l’Ouest via la BRVM, plusieurs stratégies peuvent être adoptées.

    Une façon est d’analyser la performance boursière des entreprises cotées à la BRVM qui ont une exposition significative au Niger, au Burkina Faso et au Mali (telles que la Banque de l’Afrique et Onatel), en particulier celles opérant dans des secteurs susceptibles d’être affectés par les changements géopolitiques, tels que l’agriculture, l’exploitation minière et les infrastructures.

    Les investisseurs peuvent également surveiller les fluctuations des devises, car le retrait de la CEDEAO pourrait avoir un impact sur les taux de change et influencer par conséquent les prix des actions.

    De plus, rester informé des développements politiques et des changements de politique dans la région est crucial pour prendre des décisions d’investissement éclairées.

    Enfin, les investisseurs peuvent diversifier leurs portefeuilles en envisageant des actifs autres que les actions, tels que des obligations ou des fonds négociés en bourse (ETF), qui peuvent offrir des opportunités alternatives pour tirer parti des mouvements de marché résultant du Brexit de l’Afrique de l’Ouest.

    Restez en avance sur la courbe avec nos ressources et outils complets conçus pour aider les investisseurs à capitaliser sur les opportunités émergentes au milieu des changements géopolitiques en Afrique de l’Ouest. Visitez notre site web ou téléchargez l’application dès maintenant !

  • Explained: All You Need To Know About West Africa’s Brexit

    Explained: All You Need To Know About West Africa’s Brexit

    A political quake struck West Africa last month, as three nations ruled by military juntas announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc.

    Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso accused ECOWAS of failing to support them against jihadist violence and excessive foreign influence, before quitting the organization late January

    The abrupt departure has prompted comparisons to “Brexit” (the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union), marking a historic rupture after decades of building economic and political ties between the 15 member states.

    As the aftershocks reverberate across the region, here is everything you need to know about this crisis and its far-reaching implications for trade, security, and the lives of millions in West Africa. 

    What is ECOWAS?

    Founded in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) comprises 15 nations in the region.

    ECOWAS aims to foster regional cooperation and trade, facilitating visa-free travel to uplift the living standards of its people and ensure economic stability. 

    It also plays a crucial role in peacekeeping efforts in a volatile part of the continent and is a significant security ally to the West, including the United States.

    The leadership of the bloc rotates among its member countries, with Nigeria, the economic powerhouse of the region, currently in charge.

    ECOWAS Member States

    Why did Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger quit ECOWAS? 

    In recent years, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have been overwhelmed by jihadist insurgencies and political instability, undergoing multiple coups. 

    Mali endured two coups, one in 2020 and another in 2021. Burkina Faso faced two coups within a year in 2022. Lastly, Niger experienced a coup last summer.

    ECOWAS responded by suspending the countries and imposing tough sanctions. This led to growing resentment and defiance from the military juntas now ruling these nations. 

    They accuse ECOWAS of failing to provide support against terrorism and of being influenced by “foreign powers” like France. 

    On January 28, 2024, the three countries jointly announced their immediate withdrawal from the bloc, criticizing the “illegal” sanctions.

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    Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso accuse ECOWAS of failing to support them against jihadist violence and excessive foreign influence.

    How has the region responded to the decision?

    ECOWAS has expressed sadness at the decision. Nigeria, the current ECOWAS chair, said the “unelected” junta leaders are letting their people down but remain open to engagement. 

    Analysts warn that sanctions have backfired, fueling anti-French sentiment and closer ties with Russia. Threatening military intervention against Niger rallied citizens to support the coup. 

    The tough stance has undermined ECOWAS’s credibility but also underscores instability as armies seize power across the region.

    Nigeria President and Chairperson of ECOWAS, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    How will leaving ECOWAS affect the countries? 

    The decision could severely harm the poor, landlocked Sahel nations who heavily rely on cross-border trade. 

    Niger shares 1,500 km of border with Nigeria and 80% of its trade is done with its richer neighbor. 

    The border closure by Nigeria following the military takeover that overthrew President Mohammed Bazoum puts trade worth about $226 million and lives at risk, per multiple reports.

    For all the junta-led countries, losing access to the $702 billion ECOWAS market could lead to shortages, higher prices, increased tariffs, and financial restrictions. 

    As citizens face more economic hardship, pressure may mount on fragile junta regimes struggling to contain violence. 

    How will the “Brexit” moment affect the region?

    Experts have compared the impending split to Brexit, warning it may take years to implement but would unravel decades of integration. 

    The region’s trade and services flows, worth nearly $150 billion a year, will be disrupted. 

    It also raises uncertainty around the large diaspora populations from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger living across West Africa. Ghana, Togo, and Benin also have a big diaspora from Niger.

    For example, Ivory Coast hosts over 5 million migrants from these nations. 

    In a worst-case scenario, the bloc’s collapse could trigger a mass exodus. 

    ECOWAS has faced criticism for swiftly sanctioning the military juntas after years of inaction against civilian leaders who prolonged their rule through questionable elections or referendums in nations like Ivory Coast and Guinea. 

    This double standard has reduced ECOWAS’s credibility. Additionally, though ECOWAS has threatened military intervention, its failure to follow through on those threats has further weakened its standing. 

    Interested in navigating the West Africa Brexit and maximizing your investment opportunities? Explore our platform to thrive in this evolving market landscape.

    Niger shares 1,500 km of border with Nigeria and 80% of its trade is done with its richer neighbor. 

    For a long time, security experts have urged regional countries to enhance cooperation and intelligence-sharing to address the spreading insurgencies fueled by poverty, neglect, abuse, and ideology. 

    However, the current crisis at ECOWAS highlights the growing divide between democratically elected governments allied with the West and military-ruled states increasingly reliant on Russia and China for support. This schism thwarts a coordinated regional response to rising insecurity and insurgencies. 

    Moving forward, ECOWAS must bridge this divide and boost collaboration between member states to tackle shared challenges.

    How can investors trade the West Africa Brexit?

    As an investor looking to trade the West African Brexit via the BRVM, there are several strategies you can adopt.

    One way is to analyze the stock performance of companies listed on the BRVM that have significant exposure to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali (such as Bank of Africa and Onatel), particularly those operating in sectors likely to be affected by geopolitical changes, such as agriculture, mining, and infrastructure. 

    Investors can also monitor currency fluctuations, as the withdrawal from ECOWAS could impact exchange rates and consequently influence stock prices. Additionally, staying abreast of political developments and policy changes within the region is crucial for making informed investment decisions. 

    Finally, investors can diversify their portfolios by considering assets beyond equities, such as bonds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which may provide alternative opportunities to capitalize on market movements resulting from the West Africa Brexit.

    Stay ahead of the curve with our comprehensive resources and tools designed to help investors capitalize on emerging opportunities amidst geopolitical shifts in West Africa. Visit our website or download the app now!

  • African Startups Rise to the Climate Challenge

    African Startups Rise to the Climate Challenge

    Despite contributing only 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa faces the brunt of climate change’s wrath. Emerging VC-backed innovators aim to change the continent’s fortunes.


    In 2022, climate-tech funding in Africa grew 3.5x to over $860m, making climate Africa’s most funded sector after fintech.

    The funding was largely driven by clean energy technologies.

    Broadly, the cleantech sector attracted the most foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into Africa, per the Africa Attractiveness Report by global consulting giant EY. (You can read our summary of the report here)

    The timing of this surge in climate funding couldn’t be better.

    Climate change comes to Africa

    The scorching heat waves, drying water sources, and erratic weather patterns are no longer distant nightmares for Africa. 

    Climate change is here, and its impact is undeniable. 

    Despite contributing only 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa faces the brunt of climate change’s wrath. 

    For comparison, China, the United States, and the European Union account for 23%, 19%, and 13% respectively.

    Yet in 2019, five of the ten countries most affected were African nations, bearing the consequences of devastating weather disasters.

    Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Sudan, and Niger faced devastating weather disasters like Cyclone Idai, fueled by scorching temperatures that heated the Indian Ocean and led to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    At least five countries in Africa were devastated by Cyclone Idai, one of the continent’s worst natural disasters on record.

    In East Africa though, rising temperatures have disrupted the traditional rain patterns that make Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, and Somalia green. 

    The year 2022 marked a record fifth rainless season in a row, leading to severe drought and hunger for millions in the Horn of Africa, where the United Nations estimates that around 13m people are dealing with severe hunger.

    By 2050, the continent’s iconic glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Ruwenzori Mountains will vanish, a stark reminder of the warming planet.

    But Africa isn’t sitting idly by.

    The continent hosted its first-ever Africa Climate Change Summit in September, culminating in the historic “Nairobi Declaration.” 

    This declaration saw African leaders commit to combat climate change through increased investments, a carbon tax, and sustainable development goals.

    However, the fight requires more than just declarations. 

    This is where climate-focused tech startups take center stage. 

    Africa’s first-ever Climate Change summit in Nairobi saw leaders commit to combating climate change through increased investments, a carbon tax, and SDGs.

    African innovators to the rescue

    Over 500 startups have emerged across Africa in the last 15 years, offering innovative solutions in agriculture, clean energy, sustainable materials, e-mobility, and nature-based solutions, per a 2022 report by Briter Bridges.

    In Ethiopia, for instance, a booming urban population and single-use plastic have seen waste generation skyrocket from 9,700 tonnes/day in 2015 to 12,200 tonnes/day in 2020. 

    This trend is fueling environmental and health woes and projections warn this figure could double by 2030. 

    Enter Kubik.

    Founded in 2021, the cleantech startup transforms hard-to-recycle plastic waste into low-carbon, affordable building materials. 

    Buildings account for up to 40% of total global carbon emissions.

    This is because of how building materials are produced, what materials are used, and the properties’ energy efficiency once they’re up and running.

    Kubik’s mission is to build clean and affordable living for all, solving Africa’s housing and waste crises simultaneously.

    Its solution boasts several advantages:

    • Cost-effective: Significantly cheaper than conventional materials
    • Time-saving: Constructions are twice as fast as traditional methods
    • Eco-friendly: Over 5 times less polluting than cement

    In a recent oversubscribed seed round, Kubik secured $3.34 million to fuel its growth and expand its reach. 

    This investment affirms the potential of Kubik’s solution to tackle waste, improve housing, and protect the environment.

    Buildings account for 40% of total global carbon emissions. Kubik’s mission is to build clean and affordable living for all.

    A look at the types of solutions that populate the climate sector reveals that agriculture and energy—specifically pay-as-you-go solar scale-ups—dominate. 

    However, the space is getting broader with startups addressing a range of issues.

    Here are some other startups leading the charge:

    • Coliba: Specializing in the collection and recycling of plastic waste, which is converted into granules and then resold to various industries.
    • Amini: Bridging the environmental data gap with AI-powered sensors that monitor air quality and water resources.
    • Figorr: Tackling food waste through its AI-powered platform that connects farmers with buyers for unsold produce.
    • Powerstove: Providing clean and efficient cookstoves that reduce reliance on firewood and improve health.
    • Daystar Solar: Bringing affordable solar power to off-grid communities, empowering households and businesses.
    • PEG Africa: Offering pay-as-you-go solar home systems, reaching over 1m customers across Ghana, Senegal, Mali, and Ivory Coast.
    • M-Kopa: Another Kenyan champion, providing clean energy solutions to off-grid communities through its pay-as-you-go model.
    • Solar Freeze: Empowering smallholder farmers with off-grid solar-powered refrigeration to preserve their produce.
    • BasiGo: An electric bus company leasing vehicles to bus owners on a pay-as-you-drive model, facilitating the transition to clean mobility without high upfront costs.

    The rise of these startups is fueled by a surge in investor backing. 

    Globally, climate tech ventures are attracting more capital, and Africa is no exception. 

    Out of the 500 identified climate-tech startups on the continent, 147 have secured funding since 2015.

    More so, at least 230 deals over $1m have been signed in the climate-tech space since 2019, just over 20% of all the deals signed in Africa.

    Around 73% of this funding went to energy startups.

    Image credit: The Big Deal

    This trend is set to be further bolstered by the launch of new climate-tech funds over the past year—despite the global VC funding cooldown.

    Some of these include…

    • Pan-African venture firm Novastar’s $200m Africa People + Planet fund for startups developing agriculture and climate solutions. 
    • VC firm Equator’s $40m fundraising to back seed and Series A startups in energy, agriculture, and mobility. 
    • Catalyst Fund’s new climate-focused $30m fund, now investing in its first cohort of startups.
    • Satgana, a new climate tech firm launched in late 2022, with plans to allocate up to 40% of its funds to “planet-positive” startups in Africa. 
    • There’s the $250m AfricaGoGreen Fund (AAGF), which closed the second tranche of its fundraising in February and counts pay-as-you-go solar providers BBOXX and Solarise as part of its portfolio.
    • Also, the Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF), backed by Shell and Canadian investor FinDev, raised $110m for startups that increase access to clean and reliable energy for African households and businesses. 
    • E3 Capital (formerly Energy Access Ventures)’s Low Carbon Economy Fund for Africa (E3LCEF), hit its first close in May at $48m.
    • Oxfam Novib and Goodwell also recently launched a new $22m Pepea fund to provide venture debt to startups in this space.
    • Climate venture builder, Persistent Energy, recently closed a $10m Series C funding round to strengthen its team and scale climate activities in Africa.
    • Also, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), implemented by the AfDB, has supported the development of 39 investment plans across 27 African countries to unlock climate action.
    PEG Africa offers pay-as-you-go solar home systems, reaching over 1m customers across Ghana, Senegal, Mali, and Ivory Coast.

    These dedicated funds show a sustained commitment to supporting climate-tech innovation in Africa.

    While the funding landscape is promising, challenges remain. 

    Africa still needs more financing for its countries to meet their climate goals by 2030. 

    Overall climate financing would need to grow from current levels of around $30bn a year to nearly $300bn to meet mitigation and adaptation needs.

    Only 14% of total climate finance comes from the private sector, and with only 23 early-stage climate-focused funds in Africa, the pool of investors is limited. 

    Additionally, the low number of exits (10, all in energy) indicates a long road ahead for commercial capital to enter at scale.

    M-Kopa provides clean energy solutions to off-grid communities through a pay-as-you-go model.

    Still, the momentum is undeniable.

    Climate-related startups in Africa have raised $3.4bn between 2019-2023, nearly 60% of the total funding volume invested in the much more mature fintech sector.

    That, coupled with the emergence of innovative solutions and government-backed initiatives, demonstrates a commitment to tackling climate challenges. 

    Africa is not just facing the brunt of climate change; it is also becoming a breeding ground for innovative solutions that can inspire the world.

  • BRVM: The Gateway To West Africa’s Potential

    BRVM: The Gateway To West Africa’s Potential

    With strong fundamentals and currency stability tied to the Euro, francophone West Africa provides viable investment prospects. The BRVM serves as the portal through which investors can capitalize.

    Back in 2018, BRVM CEO Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounve met with investors in London conveying an optimistic message: WAEMU economies had averaged 6% GDP growth annually over the prior half-decade. 

    This robust expansion has continued, with average growth above 5% each year except in 2020 when COVID-19 stalled global economies. 

    These economies are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo, and in 2024, five of them feature among the world’s ten fastest-growing economies projected by the IMF.

    With this growth, francophone West Africa offers some of the best investment prospects on the continent.

    And the BRVM stock exchange serves as the portal through which investors can capitalize.

    Born From a Shared Vision

    A unified cross-border stock exchange serving all eight WAEMU countries, the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières SA (BRVM) was founded in 1998 through a shared vision of the member states. 

    Headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, it serves as the common stock exchange for the 140 million people of the region. 

    The exchange was created to harness the collective strengths of the region’s economies. 

    It operates on the CFA Franc, the common currency for all francophone African member states pegged to the Euro, overseen by the Central Bank of West African States. 

    This offers foreign exchange stability and predictability to investors.

    The WAEMU also shares a common financial regulator, harmonizing oversight across borders.

    Nearly three decades of growth

    Starting with just 35 listings, the BRVM has expanded rapidly over the past 26 years. 

    The BRVM was Africa’s top-performing stock exchange in 2015, notching up a 17.7% increase in its benchmark composite index. 

    This helped cement its status as one of Africa’s leading exchanges, joining the ranks of bourses in countries like Nigeria, Morocco, and Kenya. 

    After a few slower years, it saw a strong rebound in 2021, appreciating 39.2% – the second highest in Africa.

    In December 2022, Orange Côte d’Ivoire—Ivory Coast’s largest mobile operator—was listed on the BRVM via an oversubscribed IPO that raised a record $236 million on the exchange.

    The stock has so far returned 46.77% (taking its juicy dividends into account) since the landmark listing, which added $2.5bn to the exchange’s $12bn equity market cap, spread across 46 listed companies.

    These include telecom leader Sonatel, electricity provider CIE, pan-African lender Ecobank, and banking giants like Société Générale, Bank of Africa, and Oragroup. Multinationals like Nestlé and TotalEnergies are also listed.

    Beyond stability and scale, the BRVM also offers attractive dividend yields averaging 6-8%—far outpacing typical yields in most developed markets. 

    The exchange saw its overall market capitalization more than double between 2019 and the end of 2022, from 9 trillion CFA francs to over 13 trillion CFA francs (equivalent to about $23 billion).

    By the end of 2023, it had 123 bond lines, 46 listed companies—including major firms like Sonatel, Onatel, and Société Generale Côte d’Ivoire—and had become one of the largest stock exchanges in Africa based on market cap.

    In September, the equities component of the market crossed 8 trillion CFA francs in market capitalization for the first time, reflecting the acceleration of West Africa’s economic expansion.

    Up to eight of the stocks on the exchange posted double-digit share price gains last year.

    Alongside this growth, the exchange has innovated to broaden its appeal. 

    It introduced sharia-compliant Islamic bond (sukuk) listings in 2016 and a year later, it launched a new board to improve SME financing access.

    Access to funding remains a major hurdle for entrepreneurs and small businesses across Africa. 

    This initiative aims to connect promising smaller companies with much-needed long-term capital from investors who can purchase stakes via the BRVM. 

    With easier paths to raise equity financing, dynamic SMEs across countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Burkina Faso can expand and drive economic growth.

    Stability amid currency turbulence

    A major advantage of the BRVM is its use of the euro-pegged CFA franc. 

    This provides unmatched currency stability in an often turbulent continent for monetary policy. 

    Investors can be reassured their returns will not be eroded by sudden exchange rate swings or high inflation.

    By contrast, equities traded on national exchanges like Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana carry significant currency risk. 

    For instance, the Nigerian Exchange’s All-Share Index returned 45.9% in 2023, its highest ever on record. 

    But a 55% devaluation of the Nigerian naira against the US dollar meant the stock market returned a negative 29.34% to foreign investors.

    The BRVM’s euro peg slashes such risk for offshore investors.

    Companies listed on the BRVM also benefit from standardized regulations and trading infrastructure across the region. 

    In addition, strict governance and oversight by regional regulator AMF UMOA (Autorité des Marchés Financiers de l’Union Monétaire Ouest Africaine) enhance investor protections. 

    The regulator recently suspended trading of a listed firm, EVIOSYS Packaging SIEM, for non-compliance with listing rules – underscoring its commitment to transparency and compliance.

    Liquidity challenges linger

    Despite its strengths, the BRVM faces some lingering challenges. 

    Liquidity remains relatively low compared to larger exchanges. 

    The market is dominated by a few large Ivorian companies like Sonatel and Ecobank, and trading volumes are thin for other listings. 

    More so, 35 or 76% of companies listed on the bourse are Ivorian. 

    Attracting more listings, especially from SMEs and more WAEMU countries apart from Cote d’Ivoire, and diversifying its investor base will aid liquidity.

    Nonetheless, the BRVM remains a symbol of successful regional economic integration in Africa. 

    It is one of only two unified, region-wide stock exchanges on the continent, alongside the BVMAC shared by six francophone Central African states. 

    Integrating with the wider West Africa

    The BRVM is a pioneering model of regional financial and economic integration in Africa. 

    By pooling their markets into a single cross-border exchange, the eight WAEMU countries have created a far more efficient platform for fundraising and investment compared to fragmented national exchanges.

    As the first and only fully integrated regional stock exchange in the world, the BRVM offers smaller member countries like Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and Niger access to capital and scale they would struggle to achieve on their own. 

    It also harmonizes regulation and market infrastructure across borders.

    Given this promise, the exchange is now working to build on its success through closer West Africa market integration. 

    It is collaborating with exchanges in Nigeria and Ghana on integration plans to develop a unified trading platform. 

    This could significantly expand opportunities for investors and businesses.

    And with investment platforms like Daba providing unprecedented retail access to the exchange through a mobile app, new investors can easily tap into the BRVM’s offerings and participate in the growth opportunities of public African companies.

    With strong economic growth projected across West Africa, the BRVM offers an exciting investment destination. 

    But the exchange is more than just an investment opportunity – it is a pioneer of regional integration and a model for capital market development across Africa.

    Its integration strengths, currency stability, governance, and steady innovations make it a model for exchanges across Africa and an attractive option for international investors seeking new frontier markets. 

    As one of Africa’s standout regional initiatives, the BRVM provides a gateway into francophone West Africa’s massive potential for investors seeking new frontiers.

    This article was first published in Pulse54, Daba’s bi-monthly newsletter that dives into what’s old and new in Africa’s investment landscape. Sign up here

  • Why Investors Are Excited About Senegalese T-Bond

    Why Investors Are Excited About Senegalese T-Bond

    Senegal is set to issue a 200 billion CFA francs ($330 million) treasury bond in three tranches, attracting significant investor interest.

    With the West African nation boasting one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, investors have good reason to be excited.

    Here are five factors driving investor enthusiasm for the bond issuance:

    1. Quality of the Issuer 

    Senegal has established itself as a model of political stability in West Africa. The country has seen peaceful transitions of power since independence in 1960.

    Recently, President Macky Sall announced he would not seek a third term in the 2024 elections, easing earlier political tensions.  

    Also Read: 2024 Outlook – A Year of Elections in Africa

    The country has also established itself as a frequent and reliable participant in the West African Economic and Monetary Union’s (WAEMU) capital market. In 2023 alone, the Senegalese government conducted 44 bond and note issuances on this platform. 

    Dakar, Senegal

    Global credit rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have classified Senegal at investment grade levels B+ and Ba3 respectively, underscoring the country’s improving creditworthiness. 

    The IMF also forecasts Senegal, already WAEMU’s second-largest economy, to record Africa’s second-highest economic growth rate this year and the world’s fifth.

    2. Steady Income Stream

    Like most government bonds, Senegal’s offering will provide investors with regular interest payments over the lifespan of the bond, enabling a steady stream of income.

    The 5-year tranche pays a 6.25% coupon, the 7-year pays 6.45%, and the 10-year pays 6.65%, offering investors a robust and steady semi-annual income stream and ensuring healthy yields especially given current global rate trends.

    3. Low Default Risk  

    Backed by a sovereign government, sovereign bonds like Senegal’s pose extremely little default risk compared to corporate paper. While corporate bonds offer juicy yields, they are only as reliable as the issuing company’s financial health.

    Senegal has never defaulted on its obligations. Investors can count on the government to make good on its promised coupon payments and principal redemption.

    President Macky Sall

    4. Tax Advantages

    Resident investors will enjoy exemption from taxes on interest payments and repayment of principal. This combination of healthy yields absent of taxes renders Senegalese bonds an attractive fixed-income proposition.

    For foreign investors, income is subject to applicable national tax regimes.

    5. Liquidity & Accessibility 

    Sovereign bonds tend to trade more actively owing to higher issuance volumes, ensuring healthy liquidity for investors. 

    The bonds can be bought directly from the government or through online investment platforms such as Daba.

    They will trade on the francophone West Africa regional stock exchange, BRVM, providing liquidity for investors. The government reserves the right to repurchase bonds on the open market. 

    So investors can sell holdings fairly easily.

    The Senegalese bond will trade on the francophone West Africa regional stock exchange, BRVM, providing liquidity for investors.

    Investors can also conveniently purchase Senegalese bonds through brokerages or mutual funds without directly participating in auctions. The ability to relatively easily cash out investments before maturity provides additional flexibility.

    With Senegal’s strong economic growth prospects and credit profile, combined with the reliability and advantages of a sovereign bond, investors can gain exposure to one of Africa’s star economies while earning an attractive risk-free return on their capital

    For more content on investment trends and opportunities, check out the Daba application today!

  • Principales conclusions du Rapport Partech 2023 sur le capital-risque technologique en Afrique

    Principales conclusions du Rapport Partech 2023 sur le capital-risque technologique en Afrique

    Le rapport annuel de Partech sur le capital-risque technologique en Afrique offre des perspectives précieuses sur l’évolution de l’écosystème technologique africain.

    L’édition 2023 révèle un ralentissement significatif du financement, en accord avec les tendances mondiales du capital-risque, mais met en lumière des zones de résilience.

    Voici les principales conclusions.

    Diminution de moitié du financement reflète la conjoncture mondiale

    En 2023, les start-ups africaines ont levé 3,5 milliards de dollars, soit une baisse annuelle de 46 %, répartie sur 547 transactions (-28 %). Les fonds propres ont spécifiquement enregistré une diminution de financement de 50 %.

    Cela reflète la crise mondiale du financement du capital-risque alors que les investisseurs devenaient plus prudents. Cependant, l’Afrique a toujours attiré plus de 500 investisseurs, démontrant un intérêt continu et fort.

    Baisse observée à tous les stades de financement

    Le rapport montre des baisses à tous les stades de financement, la plus importante étant dans les tours de croissance (-31 % en moyenne). Les tours d’amorçage et de série A ont diminué modérément (8 à 16 %), tandis que la série B est restée stable.

    Cela indique que les investisseurs se sont concentrés sur le soutien aux entreprises existantes de leur portefeuille plutôt que sur de nouveaux investissements.

    Les 4 principaux marchés restent en tête, avec des changements

    Les quatre principaux marchés africains – l’Afrique du Sud, le Nigeria, l’Égypte et le Kenya – dominent toujours, sécurisant 79 % des transactions. Cependant, leur part de transactions a légèrement diminué (passant de 77 %), signalant une activité croissante sur tout le continent.

    L’Afrique du Sud a pris la première place en termes de fonds propres levés avec 548 millions de dollars. Cependant, le Kenya a capturé la première place pour le financement global avec 719 millions de dollars grâce à un financement important par la dette. Ainsi, ces deux nations sont actuellement en tête du financement technologique en Afrique.

    Le Nigeria est resté en première position en termes de nombre de transactions, malgré une division par deux de son financement en fonds propres. Pendant ce temps, l’Égypte a subi le plus gros impact parmi les quatre premiers, avec une chute de 58 % des transactions en fonds propres.

    Montée du francophone

    Encourageant, 52 % des pays africains ont bénéficié d’investissements technologiques, contre 46 % en 2022. L’Afrique francophone a connu une croissance substantielle, représentant 15 % des fonds propres (contre 11 %) dans 20 % des transactions. Cela indique une attention renforcée du capital-risque au-delà des quatre principaux hubs technologiques.

    La Fintech conserve la couronne du financement

    Comme les années précédentes, la fintech s’est classée première tant en nombre de transactions (113) qu’en financement total des fonds propres (852 millions de dollars).

    Le commerce électronique et les technologies propres se sont classés à égalité en deuxième position avec des parts de 13 % chacun. La domination de la fintech montre le besoin immense de l’Afrique en matière d’inclusion financière et de solutions de paiement.

    La croissance du financement pour les fondatrices

    Les start-ups fondées par des femmes ont levé 25 % des transactions en fonds propres, soit une augmentation de 3 points de pourcentage par rapport à 2022. Elles ont également obtenu 392 millions de dollars en fonds propres, représentant 17 % du total des fonds propres, contre 13 % l’année précédente. Bien que cela reste faible par rapport à la population, le soutien du capital-risque aux femmes leaders technologiques a gagné du terrain de manière significative.

    La dette émerge comme un complément aux fonds propres

    Le rapport met en avant la pertinence croissante de la dette, représentant 35 % du financement total contre seulement 24 % en 2022. Le Kenya a été en tête du financement par la dette avec une part de 32 %, axée principalement sur les entreprises de technologies propres et de fintech.

    Alors que les fonds propres se resserrent, la dette offre une alternative de capital viable pour les start-ups africaines en maturation.

    En résumé, bien que l’environnement de financement technologique en Afrique soit devenu nettement plus difficile en 2023, le secteur semble résister à la tempête.

    Les acteurs clés ont maintenu des niveaux de financement respectables compte tenu du contexte, les investisseurs ont continué à soutenir un éventail de marchés et de fondateurs, et la dette a contribué à atténuer le ralentissement des fonds propres.

    Le rapport de Partech suggère un optimisme prudent quant au retour de la croissance technologique en Afrique après la crise. Des métriques clés telles que le nombre de transactions et le financement des femmes soulignent l’élan sous-jacent de l’industrie.

    Vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur les tendances en matière d’investissement et accéder aux opportunités en Afrique ? Téléchargez l’application Daba depuis vos magasins d’applications dès aujourd’hui !

  • Partech 2023 Africa Tech VC Report: Key Takeaways

    Partech 2023 Africa Tech VC Report: Key Takeaways

    The annual Partech Africa Tech Venture Capital report offers valuable insights into the evolution of the African tech ecosystem. 

    The 2023 edition reveals a significant funding slowdown aligned with global VC trends, yet highlights areas of resilience.

    Here are the key takeaways.

    Halved Funding Reflects Global Downturn 

    In 2023, African startups raised $3.5B, a 46% annual drop, spread across 547 deals (-28%). Equity specifically saw a 50% funding decrease. 

    This mirrors the global VC funding crunch as investors became more cautious. However, Africa still captivated over 500 investors, proving continued strong interest.

    Drop Seen at All Funding Stages

    The report shows drops across all funding stages, but the largest was in growth rounds (-31% ticket average). Seed and Series A shrank moderately (8-16%), while Series B held steady. 

    This indicates investors focused on supporting existing portfolio companies rather than new investments.

    Top 4 Markets Still Lead, With Shifts

    The African “big four” markets —South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya—still dominate, securing 79% of deals. However, their deal share fell somewhat (from 77%), signaling increasing activity across the continent.

    South Africa took first place by total equity raised at $548M. Yet Kenya captured the top spot for overall funding at $719M thanks to major debt financing. So these two nations currently lead Africa’s tech funding.

    Nigeria persisted as #1 by deal count, despite its equity funding being halved. Meanwhile, Egypt took the biggest hit among the top four, with equity deals plummeting 58%.

    Francophone Rising  

    Encouragingly, 52% of African countries saw a tech investment, up from 46% in 2022. Francophone Africa enjoyed substantial growth taking 15% of equity (up from 11%) across 20% of deals. This indicates strengthened VC attention beyond the major four tech hubs.

    Also Read: Francophone Africa – An Emerging Startup Powerhouse

    Fintech Retains Funding Crown   

    As in previous years, fintech ranked first in both deals (113) and total equity funding ($852M).

    E-commerce and cleantech tied for second place with 13% shares each. Fintech’s dominance shows Africa’s immense need for financial inclusion and payment solutions.

    Funding to Women Founders Growing

    Startups with female founders raised 25% of equity deals, up 3 percentage points from 2022. They also secured $392M in equity, representing 17% of total equity versus 13% last year. While still low relative to the population, VC backing for women tech leaders gained meaningful ground.  

    Debt Emerges as Complement to Equity

    The report highlights debt’s increasing relevance, making up 35% of total funding versus just 24% in 2022.

    Kenya led debt financing with a 32% share, focused heavily on cleantech and fintech companies. 

    As equity tightens, debt provides a viable capital alternative for maturing African startups.

    In summary, while the Africa tech funding environment grew markedly more challenging in 2023, the sector appears to be weathering the storm. 

    Key players retained respectable funding levels given the climate, investors continued backing a breadth of markets and founders, and debt helped cushion the equity slowdown. 

    The Partech report suggests cautious optimism for African tech growth returning post-downturn. Key metrics like deal count and women’s funding underscore the industry’s underlying momentum.

    Want to learn more about investment trends and access opportunities in Africa? Download the Daba application from your app stores today!

  • Daba Makes Inaugural Cohort of Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator

    Daba Makes Inaugural Cohort of Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator

    We are thrilled to announce that Daba Finance has been selected among 21 cutting-edge startups to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator. 

    This is an immense milestone for our company as we continue on our mission to provide unified investment opportunities across Africa. 

    What is the Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator?

    The Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator is a program launched in September 2023 by Visa in collaboration with Plug and Play, one of the world’s largest global innovation platforms. It aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the fintech industry by supporting and empowering diverse founders in the tech industry.

    Through this accelerator, Visa and Plug and Play are creating an inclusive platform to help diverse founders overcome unique challenges in the tech startup space. The program provides strategic guidance, access to Visa’s products and insights, mentorship, industry connections, and customized support to selected startups.

    Daba-FInance-Invest-Africa-Visa-Inclusive-Fintech-Accelerator

    Why is this significant for Daba? 

    Being selected for the inaugural cohort is a huge validation of Daba Finance’s business model and impact. As a startup expanding access to financial products across Africa, this accelerator is perfectly aligned with our goals. 

    Participating in the program will allow us to tap into Visa’s vast payments expertise and Plug and Play’s global network. We look forward to collaborating with Visa executives to evolve our product.

    What does this mean for our users?

    For Daba Finance users, our participation in the Visa Inclusive Fintech Accelerator translates to an enhanced product experience.

    By integrating Visa’s capabilities, we can offer more seamless and secure payment methods for investing, transferring funds, and accessing financial services through our platform. 

    The expertise and support we gain through the program will help us accelerate our product development roadmap. We plan to leverage insights from Visa to build more user-centric features that simplify investing and finances for our users. 

    The Road Ahead

    We are honored to be working alongside respected institutions such as Visa and Plug and Play. The learnings from this experience will be invaluable as we fulfill our mission of democratizing investing across Africa.