Investors urged to shift gear, back innovation in Africa
By: Rebecca Okine
The African investment landscape is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation, and industry experts say the time has come for investors to look beyond the traditional.
Speaking during a recent webinar hosted by Protoseed Ventures, investor at Velocity Digital, Margaret Ntambi, urged African investors to embrace a generational shift towards alternative investments, particularly venture capital and innovation-led enterprises.
According to Ms. Ntambi, while traditional assets such as land, real estate, and treasury bonds have historically dominated African portfolios, the emerging wave of younger investors—both locally and in the diaspora—are increasingly drawn to high-growth sectors that drive real economic impact.
“I do think that there is a generational shift underway where younger investors are recognizing how investing in local companies can create jobs, make products more accessible, and ultimately build wealth in our economies,” she added.
The challenge, however, lies in bridging the knowledge gap. Ms. Ntambi noted that many traditional investors remain cautious about venture capital due to unfamiliarity with its risk profile and long-term nature.
“I’m not saying give up your real estate or land—but diversify. Consider allocating even 5% or 10% of your wealth to this new space,” she said.
Another challenge highlighted was mindset. The real hurdle, she argued, is not the availability of capital but convincing high-net-worth individuals to reframe their perception of value and opportunity.
“Our biggest challenge now is helping people renew their outlook on what it means to invest. It’s not about age or background; it’s about seeing the potential in new sectors,” Ms. Ntambi explained.
Adding his voice to the discussion, Entrepreneurship Officer at the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, Caleb Lamptey, pointed to growing interest among the diaspora in local investments; however, he stressed that trust remains a key barrier.
“We have people in the diaspora ready to invest locally, but we need to build trust, and fund managers who understand the market should focus on that,” Mr. Lamptey stated.
