African Development Bank (AfDB) Fellowship for Emerging Fund Managers 2025 Cohort

Omran Aburayya
May 18
2 min read

If you are an emerging private equity or venture capital fund manager actively investing in Africa and looking to scale your fund's impact, the applications for the African Development Bank Fellowship for Emerging Fund Managers are now open. This unique, Pan-African fellowship, implemented by Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), is designed to build capacity, deepen expertise, and connect rising fund managers with institutional investors and global networks.

Through a combination of technical training, one-on-one mentorship, and high-impact networking, this 8-month program directly tackles the structural and operational challenges that African fund managers face, while equipping them with the tools to scale successfully and sustainably.

📌 Fellowship Summary

Location: Remote, with an in-person bootcamp alongside a major ecosystem event
Host Institution: African Development Bank, implemented by Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P)
Type: Fellowship / Professional Development
Target Group: Emerging African Private Equity and Venture Capital fund managers
Fields of Focus: Fundraising, Investment Strategy, Fund Structuring, Impact Measurement, Gender & Climate Finance
Coverage: Free participation, expert mentorship, networking access, bootcamp attendance
Duration: 8 months (June – December 2025)
Application Deadline: May 21, 2025
Eligible To: Emerging fund managers with ≤ USD 50M AUM, investing in underserved sectors or regions in Africa, with youth (under 35) in senior leadership encouraged

📝 Fellowship Overview

The African Development Bank Fellowship for Emerging Fund Managers is a tailored 8-month capacity-building program supporting 20 early-stage African fund managers operating in the private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) sectors. The fellowship focuses on the practical and strategic challenges fund managers face while fostering scalable, high-impact investment practices.

Participants will benefit from:

Master the Fundamentals: A series of deep-dive webinars on investment process, fundraising, legal structuring, and impact metrics.
Immerse & Connect: Participation in an intensive bootcamp hosted during a major investment ecosystem event, with unmatched visibility and networking.
Tailored Expert Insights: One-on-one mentorship with experienced LPs, GPs, and ecosystem professionals.
Unlock Networking Potential: Exclusive access to AfDB and I&P networks of institutional investors and peer fund managers.

🎓 Fellowship Benefits

No participation fees
Customized training in fund structuring, fundraising, ESG metrics, and exit strategies
One-on-one mentorship from seasoned private equity and venture capital professionals
Participation in a high-level ecosystem event and bootcamp
Continuous networking and exposure to investors and development finance institutions
Enhanced visibility and access to capital-raising channels

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be actively investing in Africa through a PE or VC fund
Be in the process of launching, or have launched, their first fund with some capital secured
Manage a small but high-potential portfolio
Operate in underserved sectors or geographic regions
Have less than USD 50 million in assets under management
Demonstrate clear additionality and impact potential
Be led or co-led by youth (under 35 years old) in senior management (strongly encouraged)