In a significant step toward bolstering climate-focused entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa, Village Capital has announced the selection of five Ecosystem Builders for the next phase of its Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa program. The initiative, backed by Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, aims to strengthen the role of Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in nurturing startups, fostering networks, and building thriving ecosystems across the region.
The program’s 2025 phase marks a continuation of its mission to address the challenges faced by startups in the region. Building on the success of its initial phase, which supported 14 ESOs across five countries, this phase will enable the selected organizations to scale their operations and expand their impact. With an emphasis on climate action, these ESOs will run investment-readiness programs and allocate direct funding to 30 startups working on innovative, climate-resilient solutions.
Each of the selected organizations—Catalyst Fund in Kenya, Reach for Change Foundation in Ghana, Ennovate Ventures in Tanzania, Emerge Livelihoods in Malawi, and IdeiaLab in Mozambique—will receive up to $260,000. This funding will support a range of activities, including capacity building, organizing workshops for climate-focused ventures, and providing regrants to local startups. These efforts are designed to create a more sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem while addressing pressing climate and economic challenges.
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Susan Nakami, Region Lead for Africa at Village Capital, emphasized the significance of these organizations in driving change. “We are committed to reimagining capital deployment and building a more connected ecosystem where ESOs play a pivotal role in driving entrepreneurship and facilitating access to capital,” she said. “By co-designing tailored accelerator programs and empowering these organizations to deliver scalable solutions to climate challenges, we aim to foster lasting impact.”
The five Ecosystem Builders bring diverse expertise to the table. Catalyst Fund, based in Nairobi, invests in early-stage tech startups that enhance community resilience to climate change. In Ghana, Reach for Change Foundation focuses on social entrepreneurship, driving sustainable green initiatives and innovations in education technology, particularly for women, youth, and children. Tanzania’s Ennovate Ventures supports early-stage businesses that boost prosperity and job creation, while Emerge Livelihoods in Malawi fosters self-reliance through an impact hub that empowers communities. Mozambique’s IdeiaLab, with a 14-year track record, uses evidence-based methodologies to unlock entrepreneurial potential.
The program’s ambitions extend beyond individual organizations. It seeks to address systemic barriers that hinder the growth of startups, including limited access to capital, talent gaps, and fragmented support systems. By equipping ESOs with the tools and resources needed to mentor and fund climate-focused entrepreneurs directly, Village Capital aims to create a sustainable pipeline of innovative solutions that can drive climate action and economic development across the continent.
This initiative builds on Village Capital’s decade-long presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2012, the organization has supported more than 120 startups and 78 ESOs across 15 countries, fostering innovation in sectors such as sustainability, financial health, and the future of work. Its partnership with Norad underscores a shared commitment to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by addressing climate challenges and promoting resilience.
As the program advances, it highlights the transformative potential of collaboration in tackling complex challenges. By investing in local organizations that understand the unique needs of their ecosystems, Village Capital and Norad aim to catalyze long-term change, fostering an environment where climate-focused entrepreneurs can thrive.
