Driving Prosperity Through Innovation: Insights from Ventures Platform’s Kola Aina on Investment, Partnerships, and Growth

In our latest interview for the Road to Davos – Leadership Voices Series, Kola Aina, Founding Partner of Ventures Platform, shares insights on how his organisation champions African innovation and entrepreneurship. Kola discusses Ventures Platform’s mission to democratise prosperity through investment in capital-efficient startups that address critical challenges across the continent. He emphasises the importance of cross-sector partnerships, highlighting themes such as sustainable economic growth, the power of public-private collaboration, and Africa’s potential as a global investment frontier. 

Africa Collective: What is your organisation’s primary focus or mission? 

I’m Kola Aina, Founding Partner of Ventures Platform, Africa’s leading early-stage venture capital firm. We invest in mission-driven founders who are building innovative, capital-efficient platforms that drive prosperity, bridge infrastructural gaps, and connect underserved communities across the continent. Our investments focus on solving critical challenges in sectors such as fintech, healthcare, logistics, and more—delivering impact at scale. 

Our portfolio includes companies like Paystack (acquired by Stripe), OmniRetail and Thrive Agric (both recognized by the Financial Times as two of Africa’s fastest-growing companies), as well as other prominent industry leaders like PiggyVest and Remedial Health, and other leading African startups in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. 

Africa Collective: What is your organisation’s primary focus or mission? 

At Ventures Platform, our vision is to democratise prosperity across Africa through innovation and entrepreneurship. We aim to achieve this by partnering with mission-driven founders from Day 1, working alongside them long-term to build companies that address critical challenges and create new markets. 

Africa Collective: How do you see your organisation as a pan-African champion? 

I see Ventures Platform as a pan-African champion for many reasons:  

1. We back mission-driven founders building capital-efficient platforms that democratise prosperity, bridge infrastructural gaps, connect underrepresented communities, solve for non-consumption, and improve livelihood across Africa. Identifying founders fit for this mission stems from our deep knowledge of the African startup ecosystem. Beyond our financial investment, we go the extra mile by providing founders with resources—advisory support, access to an expert network, and full portfolio support from our Platform and Networks practice—all in a bid to ensure they fulfil their purpose and successfully contribute to Africa’s transformation. 

2. Our portfolio includes companies with significant impact in Africa, some of which have changed the continent’s trajectory and contributed to the global recognition the market now enjoys. One example is Paystack, a company acquired by Stripe in what was an industry-defining moment for African tech. 

3. With eight years of active investing operations across Africa, deep knowledge and experience navigating the terrain, we understand the nuances of the various markets across Africa.. 

In essence, Ventures Platform’s goal to democratise prosperity in Africa through investment in  market-creating innovation is at the heart of our role as a pan-African champion. By combining deep local expertise with a forward-thinking investment approach, we are not just backing businesses; we are helping to shape Africa’s future. Through our work, we continue to unlock new opportunities, catalyse growth, and ensure that prosperity reaches every corner of the continent. 

Africa Collective: Which topics and themes related to Africa would you like to see more prominently featured on global platforms such as the World Economic Forum? 

I would like to see more topics and themes that emphasise Africa’s potential and highlight the opportunities that exist for commercial returns. Specifically, I believe it’s crucial to showcase how unlocking prosperity on the continent through market-creating innovations can drive sustainable economic growth. Key themes I’d like to see more prominently featured include: 

• Redefining Africa’s Path to Sustainable Economic Prosperity: Exploring how venture capital can be a catalyst for economic transformation. 

• Harnessing Local Synergies for Global Impact Highlighting the role of cross-sectoral partnerships in accelerating Africa’s growth. 

• The Power of Public-Private Partnerships in Accelerating Africa’s Development: Demonstrating the power of collaboration in driving innovation and development. 

• Africa –  A Global Investment Frontier: Positioning Africa as a prime destination for global capital by showcasing the untapped opportunities across various sectors. 

• Market-Creating Innovations for Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa: Emphasising the importance of innovations that address non-consumption and spotlighting how these can drive economic development and sustainability on the continent 

These themes can help shift the global narrative on Africa from one of challenges to one of vast opportunity and potential. 

Africa Collective: Can you share an example of a successful partnership you have been part of in Africa? 

One of the most successful partnerships I’ve been part of in Africa is project managing the Nigeria Startup Act (formerly the Nigeria Startup Bill). This joint initiative between Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and the Executive arm of our government aimed to harness the potential of the country’s digital economy through co-created regulations. From inception to its passage into law in October 2022, Ventures Platform played a key role, managing the project and overseeing all administrative and stakeholder engagements. The Act, now fully adopted at the federal level, continues to receive our support as we drive its implementation across various states, ensuring that the framework empowers startups and unlocks new opportunities for growth across Nigeria. 

This initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships in catalysing innovation, bridging gaps in the ecosystem, and ultimately contributing to the continent’s prosperity. 

Africa Collective:  What has been your most inspiring experience in your work with Africa? 

One of the most inspiring experiences in my work has been witnessing the transformational impact of entrepreneurship across Africa. At Ventures Platform, we are privileged to support founders who are not only building innovative solutions but are also addressing some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. The resilience and creativity I’ve seen in African entrepreneurs—many of whom operate in challenging environments—demonstrate the true potential of market-creating innovations. 

A particularly memorable moment was when we invested in a portfolio company that sought to digitise Africa’s large informal retail sector. What started as an ambitious idea has now empowered thousands of small-scale retailers, many of whom are women, to thrive in a digital economy. This and many more businesses we back, have contributed to the good reputation that the African tech landscape now enjoys. 

Watching these businesses scale, create jobs, and enhance local communities has solidified my belief in Africa’s future as a global economic force. 

This experience highlights the power of innovation to drive both economic returns and social impact, reinforcing my commitment to support ventures that can foster prosperity across the continent.  

Africa Collective: What advice would you give to other leaders/organisations/companies looking to make a positive impact in Africa? 

My advice would be to approach Africa with a deep appreciation and curiosity for its complexities and opportunities. First, focus on creating scalable and sustainable value that truly converts millions of non-consumer into consumers. This means looking beyond short-term gains and investing in solutions that address structural challenges—whether in infrastructure, access to finance, or talent development—while aligning with local needs and realities. 

Second, collaboration is key. Africa’s market is diverse, and no single entity can navigate its intricacies alone. Building cross-sectoral partnerships with governments, communities, and other stakeholders will amplify the potential for lasting impact. The problems we aim to solve are vast, but working together enables us to unlock new market opportunities while improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive growth. 

Lastly, invest in the long game. Africa’s growth story is just beginning, and the most impactful organisations are those that commit to its long-term prosperity. By nurturing talent, investing in innovation, and maintaining a focus on both commercial value and social impact, leaders can contribute to shaping Africa’s future while realising immense growth potential for their organisations. 

Africa Collective: What key message would you like to share about Africa’s potential and opportunities with the global community? 

Africa is at the frontier of innovation and growth, with a unique potential to drive global economic transformation. The continent is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, creating an unparalleled opportunity for digital transformation and market creation. But beyond population dynamics, Africa’s true potential lies in entrepreneurs who focus on the complex task of market creation. The opportunities for investment and collaboration are vast, particularly in sectors like fintech, cleantech, healthtech, and agritech, which are poised to scale and shape the global future. 

To fully harness this potential, the global community must shift its mindset from aid-based models to partnerships driven by mutual growth and shared prosperity. Africa is not merely a recipient of investment but a vital player in the global economy, offering new markets, groundbreaking innovation, and immense untapped potential. Those who invest in Africa today are investing in the future of the world. 

About the Road to Davos – Leadership Voices Series 

Leading up to Africa Collective’s Davos annual series of events during the period of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, taking place from 20-24 January 2025, Africa Collective is speaking to a collection of foremost thought and business leaders in both the private and public sectors as part of our ongoing effort to highlight opportunities in Africa. Our objective with the Road to Davos – Leadership Voices Series is to position African topics on the global stage through the lens of leaders from the continent or who lead organisations with interests in the continent.