By 
By Tanaka Chikosi
Over the past five years at Google, I’ve had the privilege of working at the intersection of technology, strategy, and entrepreneurship. From building global programs that empower startups to designing incentive models that help businesses scale, one truth has stood out: innovation knows no borders. The same creativity and ambition I’ve seen in Silicon Valley boardrooms exists in Lagos, Nairobi, Harare, and beyond, it just doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves.
RELATED: My decade of investing in entrepreneurs culminates into 12th Angel Fair Africa in NYC
That’s why I’m honored to be part of the planning team for the 12th Angel Fair Africa (AFA) in New York City on September 19th.
Context & Why It Matters
For more than a decade, AFA has been a bridge, connecting Africa’s brightest entrepreneurs with investors across the globe. This year’s gathering, hosted at Google’s NYC offices during UNGA week, is more than just another pitch event. It’s a chance to reframe the narrative about African innovation, spotlight founders solving real problems in health, finance, mobility, and climate, and give them the platform they deserve in front of the global capital ecosystem.
The Collective Power
What excites me most is that this convening isn’t happening in isolation. It’s powered by organizations that I care deeply about: Chanzo Capital, BAG Collective, Five Two Five, and Google all aligned in the belief that African founders don’t need charity; they need partnership. Together, we’re mobilizing not just financial resources but also intellectual and social capital—seasoned operators, strategists, and technologists who can help founders scale sustainably.
Why Now
The timing couldn’t be more urgent. Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, a rising middle class, and rapidly digitizing economies. Yet funding flows to African startups remain disproportionately small compared to their global peers. If the future of innovation is global, then Africa isn’t the “next frontier”, it’s the now.
Call-to-Action
Angel Fair Africa is where vision meets action. It’s where investors can find not just deals but long-term partners. And it’s where entrepreneurs can connect with allies who understand their journey. On September 19th in New York, we’re not just showcasing companies—we’re shaping the future of global innovation while changing the African narrative. Lou Jones of the Pan Africa Project has long been changing the narrative by using his lens to photograph contemporary images of Africa – he would be our closing keynote.
I couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to be a part of it.
