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On September 19, 2025, the 12th edition of Angel Fair Africa (AFA@12) will take place at Google’s 9th Avenue offices in New York City, marking the first time the prestigious investment platform will be hosted outside of Africa. After over a decade of hosting successful events in countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, AFA@12 brings Africa’s most promising startups directly to U.S. investors.

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Angel Fair Africa is a premier matchmaking event that bridges the gap between African entrepreneurs and global investors, enabling early-stage deal-making in a curated, high-impact setting.

Esther Dyson Returns as Keynote Speaker

The event will feature a keynote address by renowned angel investor Esther Dyson, whose investment portfolio includes Flickr, 23andMe, Meetup, Oradian, SWVL, Trella, Ilara Health, and more. Dyson, who previously keynoted the 2017 edition of AFA in Abidjan, will share her deep insights on technology, AI, and startup scalability in frontier markets.

“Startups aren’t the solution to all of Africa’s problems, but they are catalysts for change,” said Dyson. “In the age of AI, it’s now possible to build the kind of infrastructure that enables rapid scaling and inclusive growth.”

Dyson is also Chair of The Commons Project Foundation, supporting digital health initiatives across Africa. She recently concluded a decade-long nonprofit health initiative, Wellville, and is currently working on her upcoming book “Term Limits: A Design for Living in the Age of AI” due in 2027.

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African Startups to Pitch at UNGA Week

Timed with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Week, AFA@12 will bring 10 African startup founders to New York to pitch their ventures to U.S.-based and diaspora investors in a room curated for deal flow. The goal is to facilitate cross-border capital injection and strategic mentorship for startups solving Africa’s biggest challenges in health, logistics, fintech, edtech, and sustainability.

This follows earlier events in Nairobi (March 25) and Johannesburg (June 19) as part of a pan-African investment roadshow hosted in partnership with the Afrishela Fund, a women-focused initiative backed by the Graca Machel Trust.

“We are thrilled to debut AFA in New York. U.S. investors have been key partners over the years, and this move brings the event closer to the African diaspora ecosystem,” said Eric Osiakwan, Co-Founder of Angel Fair Africa and Managing Partner at Chanzo Capital, who will moderate the keynote.

“Hosting AFA@12 in NYC during UNGA is a powerful signal to global investors that Africa is open for business and innovation,” said Jason Scott, Founder of Five Two Five, XA Network Africa, and BAG Collective.

Fostering Inclusive Growth and Diaspora Investment

Angel Fair Africa’s mission is deeply aligned with the continent’s broader push for inclusive digital economies and diaspora engagement. With Africa projected to contribute significantly to the global workforce by 2050, AFA@12 serves as a critical platform for channeling international capital, mentorship, and partnership into the continent’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.

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