Top 5 Angel Investors in Africa in April 2025

Last updated: Apr 2025 A list of 5 angel investors that invest in Venture capital startups based in Africa. We rank investors based on the number of investments they made in Venture capital companies from Africa. We update this investor list every month.

Top 5 Angel Investors in Africa in April 2025

Investor	Venture Capital Africa investments
Phillip Sebole Masango	2
Federico Pirzio-Biroli	2
Jim Villanueva	1
Helena Riese Harstad	1
Ian McCaig	1

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Investor list

Phillip Sebole Masango is a polymath immersed in the realms Information Technology, Web3 & Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering & Development, Mobile App Development, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience (UX) Design, Brand Design & Development, Graphics & Digital Design, Digital Innovation, StartupInnovation & Venture Scouting, and Startup Ecosystems for over 10 years. With over a decade of experience in the Technology Industry, the Digital Industry, Business & Corporate Management, Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystem, Phillip's expertise spans a wide range of domains.His mission? Empowering individuals, startups, businesses, and corporates worldwide through innovative tech solutions, nurturing growth, and catalyzing positive societal change. With a robust skill set that includes Android Development, Mobile Application Development, User Experience Design (UED), Web Design, Brand Design, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Presentation Design, and Cybersecurity, Phillip is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of today's dynamic digital landscape.Leading the charge to new frontiers, Phillip Sebole Masango is on a mission to forge a global community where innovative solutions are not just accessible, but omnipresent — empowering every soul to flourish, innovate, and leave an indelible mark on society.He's dedicated to creating a world where the transformative power of technology democratizes and decentralizes accessibility, shaping a reality where boundless possibilities become tangible, and every dreamer is equipped to thrive and lead.For Phillip Sebole Masango, success isn't just about achieving trivial objectives; it's about making a profound impact and meaningful difference in our lives and the world around us. He believes that by directing our efforts towards what truly matters, we can create lives that are both fulfilling and impactful, fostering personal and collective growth.Guided by an unwavering belief, Phillip Sebole Masango tackles challenges from a holistic perspective, fueling innovation and driving progress. He thrives in collaborative environments where he can push boundaries, shape industries, and inspire transformative change.But beyond business, technology and expertise, life is a journey of emotions and meaning. Phillip embraces every step, recognizing that there's no failure in life, only stepping stones. With every endeavor, he pours his heart and soul, aiming to create an impact that resonates deeply with others.

Investment focus

Information Technology, Robotics, Aerospace
Series A, Seed, Private Equity
South Africa

Portfolio highlights

Black Silver Capital — 36 Followers, 31 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Black Silver Capital (@blacksilvercapital)
Cyrrix Cybersecurity — At Cyrrix Cybersecurity, we understand the importance of protecting your business from online threats. Our team provides a full range of cybersecurity services to help safeguard your company's sensitive information and systems. We offer comprehensive risk assessments, penetration testing, and incident response planning to identify and addressvulnerabilities in your network. Our managed security services provide ongoing monitoring and threat detection to keep your business protected around the clock. With our help, you can rest easy knowing that your company's valuable assets are secure.
Aesthetic Prosthetic Bionics — Biological Engineering, Bionics, Biomimetics, Hydraulics, Prosthetics, Neuroprosthetics, Exoskeleton Suits, Dynamics, Kinematics Robotics, Human-Robot Interaction, Artificial Organs, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Knowledge Reasoning, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Robotics, Artificial GeneralIntelligence, Deep Learning, Bayesian Networks, Evolutionary Algorithms, Computational Neuroscience, Neurocybernetics, Cybernetics, Cognitive Science, Source Coding, Channel Coding, Algorithmic Complexity Theory, Algorithmic Information Theory, Information-Theoretic Security, Grey System Theory & Biotechnology

Fede started out as an angel investor in 2010. His portfolio quickly grew, so he built a team around him and thus Playfair Capital was born. We have since gone on to become one of Europe’s most active and well-known early-stage VC funds. Before becoming a technology investor Fede worked for several NGOs in Africa, with a particular focus on aidtransparency. He recently renewed his focus on Africa by relocating to Kenya and becoming an angel investor in East Africa’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. He maintains an active role at Playfair and continues to lead our investment team.

Investment focus

Software, Venture Capital, Non Profit
Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
United Kingdom, Kenya, Sweden

Portfolio highlights

Bibblio — Conversion optimization, powered by AI. Increase user engagement, grow revenues and drive new audiences, for stronger site metrics and ROI.
Brewbot — Brewbot is a multidisciplinary team of designers and developers based in Belfast, N. Ireland. They come from different backgrounds and experiences — music, design, code, and fine art — but they all share a common passion for brewing.
Purple Elephant Ventures — We are Africa's first venture studio focusing on the travel & tourism sector. Our aim is to build businesses that will lead Africa's tourism industry to a greener future

Jim Villanueva - Investment Director, Managing Director, Global Partnerships Social Venture Fund @ Global Partnerships

Investment focus

Agriculture, Energy, Travel
Series A, Series B, Seed
Kenya, Uganda, Zambia

Portfolio highlights

Treasure8 — Through our commercial partnerships and USDA-patented dehydration technologies, Treasure8 transforms food streams and food waste into nutrient-dense elements that can be enhanced, shaped, shipped, and enjoyed almost anywhere and when needed most.
Good Nature Agro — Their priority is to generate lasting income with small-scale farmers. They build local community leaders into qualified Private Extension Agents (PEAs) who oversee and train farmers throughout the growing season. They support PEAs to provide frequent trainings and personalized recommendations on how their growers can make their field healthier andmore productive. PEAs promote improved farm practices and deliver a farmer-friendly loan of seeds and additional inputs. At harvest, Good Nature is a guaranteed market for the certified legume seed that their growers produce. Choosing to produce these high-value crops over traditional cash crops - maize and cotton - more than doubles their income.
Purple Elephant Ventures — We are Africa's first venture studio focusing on the travel & tourism sector. Our aim is to build businesses that will lead Africa's tourism industry to a greener future

Helena Riese Harstad is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Optimizer Foundation. She previously worked at SBAB Bank as a Project Specialist. Helena Riese attended Stockholm University.