DPI Venture Capital was established by Development Partners International with the goal of investing in early-stage, growth-oriented technology companies throughout Africa.
With over US $3 billion in assets under management and co-investments across three funds, DPI is a multi-strategy private investment firm with an emphasis on Africa that focuses on high-growth, impact-driven, and innovation-led businesses. DPI’s ADP funds have made 33 investments and numerous exits throughout Africa since its founding in 2007.
With the establishment of its new arm, the company is now venturing into venture capital, bolstered by its presence in more than forty-three African nations and its investments in almost a dozen industries, including technology-driven enterprises. DPI started advising Nclude, a top fintech fund in Egypt, as a result of a fund-restructuring transaction.
Following the completion of that deal, DPI assumed the fund’s investment advisory duties. Since the fund’s founding in March 2022, it has invested over US$28 million in nine transactions, involving businesses like Paymob, Khazna, Flapkap, and Connect Money.
“By establishing DPI Venture Capital, DPI has fulfilled its long-standing ambition to provide investors with a range of investment strategies in Africa. The platform provides our limited partners with the opportunity to invest in Africa’s most exciting companies from their very beginning. The completion of the Nclude transaction is an opportunity to build on the success of our previous investments in technology led companies and will empower our investors to add exposure to highly innovative growth-orientated businesses,” Runa Alam, DPI co-founder and CEO, said.
According to Ashley Lewis, managing partner at DPI Venture Capital, there is still a lack of penetration in the African venture capital ecosystem.
“There is a fantastic opportunity for Africa-focused fund sponsors to make a significant impact on the ecosystem. DPI Venture Capital is excited to welcome the Nclude team, portfolio companies, and LPs to DPI and to expand on their experience and close relationships with Egypt’s leading investors and tech visionaries,” she said.
