ODBA

Excited to share that my role has now changed to 'Group CEO' of GFA Technologies. We recently restructured GFA Technologies and created 5 new entities all under GFA Technologies (HoldCo). 1. Remsana is our EdTech platform and we built one of the first Nigerian-developed learning management software (LMS). Remsana is being used in over 7 countries to provide digital transformation to SMEs. Our new CEO for Remsana is my Co-Founder Emmanuel (Tunji) Oke 2. Dimpified is our eCommerce solution for service providers. The platform allows service-based SMEs like hair salons, nail studios, gyms, dentists etc to increase their productivity by managing bookings, keeping track of transactions, managing employees and so much more. I will double as CEO of Dimpified. 3. Unleashified is our web development and mobile app development studio. Our team can help develop customized websites, digitize manual processes or develop mobile apps for SMEs of all sizes. Our new CEO for Unleashified is Seun Adeboyejo 4. GFA-Foundation supports skill development and digital transformation of SMEs, supporting growth, fostering partnerships and building the environment for SMEs to succeed. Our new CEO for GFA Foundation is Grace Oluwalola 5. GFA Data Centers is our 5MW Tier III Co-location data center under development in Abeokuta to support the digitization of SMEs, startups, banks, fintechs, eCommerce & Governments in West Africa. This is being developed and supervised by one of the world's largest telecom equipment providers. We are working to take one or more of the entities public at the appropriate time. Obinna Isiadinso Dapo Okubadejo Anthonia Adenaya Huard Will Stevens Tunde Mabawonku

Last week, EATO was recognised as a high-potential Foodtech startup and invited to a private dinner in Accra with UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, government officials, and other UK-Ghanaian business leaders. Organised by the British High Commission, this high-level Dinner & Dialogue focused on strengthening trade and investment between the UK and Ghana. The discussion centred on how the diaspora can drive these efforts, addressing key challenges such as limited access to private sector funding for black founders and other critical support needed for high-growth startups. We also explored the immense opportunities in leveraging Africa’s dynamic, youthful workforce, along with the vast potential for scaling UK businesses globally and deepening UK-Ghana trade partnerships. African food is more than a trend—it’s a movement. At EATO we are turning cultural demand into scalable commerce. A huge thank you to Chef Abiro for the incredible meal—it was an unforgettable culinary experience at The Kitchen Hub. Special appreciation to His Excellency President John Mahama for creating an environment for high-growth, early-stage startups like EATO to join these conversations. The future of UK-Ghana trade is being shaped now. Let’s build it together. EATO Follow us on Instagram - https://lnkd.in/eVN-mynj Join our waitlist to be the first to experience EATO Premium—your gateway to exclusive African recipes, food content, and seamless access to purchasing authentic African ingredients and more! - https://lnkd.in/eMWsGnch #UKGhanaTrade #DiasporaEconomy #FoodTech #AfricanFood #EATO #TradeAndInvestment #FutureOfFood #GlobalCommerce #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #AngelaRayner #BritishHighCommission #PrivateSectorGrowth #ScalableCommerce #AfricaRising #UKBusiness #GhanaBusiness #DiasporaImpact

Hopea Pay, a FinTech company specializing in healthcare financial solutions, has successfully closed its Pre-Seed funding round of 1,500,000 SAR. The round was led by Iwan Ventures, with participation from ODBA VC and Beetleware (BW). https://lnkd.in/dx89gz2j Hopea Pay | Lewa Abukhait Iwan Ventures | ODBA | Gbite Oduneye‏ | Beetleware

Like millions of other Kuda customers, I eagerly anticipate the annual Kuda Year in Review. This year, I’m excited to take you behind the scenes of how we bring it to life. Check out this deep dive into the process: How We Built My Year On Kuda https://lnkd.in/dPHd_dRF

Big news: Vesti has launched in Kenya 🇰🇪! For millions, moving to a new country isn’t just about opportunity—it’s about overcoming endless barriers. Visas. Work permits. Banking. Housing. These challenges don’t just slow down individuals. They hold back economies that thrive on migration. That’s why Vesti exists—to make relocation smarter, faster, and easier. With 300,000+ immigrants already using Vesti, expanding to Kenya 🇰🇪 is another step toward unlocking global opportunities for African talent. Vesti isn’t just about relocation. It’s about empowerment, access, and breaking barriers. And this is just the beginning. Where should Vesti go next? Kudos to Olusola Amusan, Abimbola Amusan JD and the entire team at Vesti #portco #improbablestories #Vesti #GlobalMobility #Kenya #Innovation #ImmigrationMadeEasy #EmpoweringDreams

EATO is not just driving sales—it’s building brand equity for African food SME’s at an unprecedented scale. With impressions in the tens of millions, we’re proving that awareness is the first step to market dominance. The real advantage? Visibility converts to trust, and trust drives sales. For food SME’s, this means: 1. Instant Brand Recognition – The more consumers see your brand, the more they trust it. High impressions mean your product becomes familiar before it even hits their cart. 2. Competitive Positioning – In a crowded market, awareness is leverage. A strong digital presence ensures your brand isn’t just competing but leading in the African food space. 3. Consumer Demand at Scale – Impressions don’t just reflect views; they create curiosity and drive intent. A brand with high visibility enters retail and partnerships with built-in demand. 4. Network Effects – Digital exposure compounds. The more people see and talk about your brand, the more opportunities arise—whether through influencer partnerships, retailer interest, or direct-to-consumer sales. 5. Market Validation for Investors & Retailers – Strong brand awareness signals to investors and stockists that your product has traction. Visibility de-risks decisions and accelerates growth opportunities. For African food SME’s, EATO isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a growth engine. Now is the time to get in, because once our MVP launches, early adopters will have the first-mover advantage. Contact me today to learn how you can feature on our platform and get your brand in front of an audience with viewership already in the tens of millions! Email - margaret@mseato.com. EATO

ODBA has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia🇸🇦—backing a visionary founder who is transforming healthcare access. Meet Hopea Pay and its founder, Lewa Abukhait, a bold entrepreneur on a mission to ensure that financial barriers never stand in the way of medical care. Hopea Pay’s innovative payment solutions allow patients to receive critical treatments without the stress of upfront costs, while empowering healthcare providers with seamless integration, analytics, and dedicated support. With MENA’s fintech sector thriving and Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 rapidly emerging as a global innovation hub, the opportunity for impact has never been greater. At ODBA we invest in leaders who think big and act boldly. Lewa is one of them. Join us in welcoming Hopea Pay to ODBA. #portco #improbablestories #fintech #healthtech #saudiarabia #Riyadh

Imagine sending money to anyone using just their phone number - no bank account needed. That's what Wave Mobile Money built in Senegal, and it's why they raised $200m at a $1.7bn valuation in 2021. 🤯 Sid Sridhar leads fundraising at Wave and brings everything back to how foundational this product is. Honestly I didn't know how mobile money worked for several years. At the most basic level, imagine using your phone number to send and receive money from people. Need to send money to a friend? Send a text, enter a code or two, and bam! Money sent. And while crypto gets all the attention in the West, mobile money has already transformed how millions of people handle money. It's the standard in a majority of countries in Africa!

The past few days in Riyadh🇸🇦have been nothing short of transformative. From LEAP 2025 to the ODBA Private Dinners, one thing is clear: Saudi Arabia🇸🇦 isn’t just investing in tech—it’s redefining the future of innovation on a global scale. The numbers speak for themselves: $10B+ in new investments announced at LEAP and a staggering $40B committed to AI by 2030. The Kingdom is not just emerging as a tech powerhouse—it’s setting the pace for the world. The ambition here is unmatched, and the momentum in AI, deep tech, and digital transformation is accelerating at breakneck speed. At ODBA we’ve been at the heart of this movement—forging new partnerships, connecting with visionary investors, and backing founders who are shaping the next wave of innovation. We’re proud to announce our first investment in Saudi Arabia with Hopea Pay, a company at the forefront of Fintech and Healthtech, redefining what’s possible But what excites us most is the growing synergy between MENA, Africa, and Europe. The opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and scale across these regions has never been greater. As capital, talent, and ideas flow more freely, the potential for global impact expands exponentially. The MENA Ecosystem Celebration was the perfect culmination—inspiring conversations, brilliant minds, and a shared vision for the future we’re building together. But let’s be clear: the future isn’t built in isolation. It’s built by those who dare to dream bigger, challenge the status quo, and turn bold ideas into reality. At ODBA we’re on a mission to bring together visionaries, investors, and founders to drive the next wave of innovation across MENA, Africa, and beyond. If you believe in a world where technology drives progress and collaboration fuels change—this is your call to action. Let’s build something extraordinary. Together. #improbablestories #Riyadh #Leap2025

So what’s going on in the African startup, tech & investment ecosystem? Here are a few announcements, opportunities & resources worth checking out. Week 08 (2025) Post #120 Links in 1st comment - reference emojis👇 SPOTLIGHT 🧐 African’s building for Africa? With the recent pullback from USAID across Africa and allot of conversations happening about the need, value and future of aid and foreign investment across the continent. But conversations I’ve seen led by Joe Kinvi and Caleb Maru on Diaspora communities investing back into the continent and those building locally from the ground up signal a shift in foreign reliance vs local capability. Achille AROUKO demonstrated this on the founder side with a valuable map African build and lead companies in Africa. A great map demonstrating the ecosystem’s talent - who else should be added? NEWS & RESOURCES 🇶🇦 Qatar Wealth Fund backs 54 Collective parent firm Utopia. 🌍 Billionaire-Backed P1 Ventures Bets on Africa’s Untapped Markets. 🤖 Why Africa must and can build its own AI giants from Babacar Seck. 📝 Venture Investments in Africa Report from Future Africa & WeeTracker. 🇳🇬 Raenest raises $11m to expand cross-border payments to new markets. 📉 Bento Africa “temporarily” halts opps after rehiring staff to handle backlog. 💡 Solo GPs: Why you probably shouldn’t raise a fund by Patrick Ryan & Sifted. PROGRAMMES & OPPORTUNITIES ✅ Founders Connect Pitch to Win Startup Funding Competition launches! 🇩🇪 GIZ African Union is hiring a Consultant for Africa CDC Project. 💳 Visa Accelerator FinTech Program open for applications. 📣 Three incredible founder opportunities shared by STARTGATE. 🌊 Accelerator Program Manager for Katapult Ocean programme. EVENTS 📅 Mon 19th: Lagos Tech Fest 2025, Lagos, Nigeria. 📅 Wed 19-20th: Step Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 📅 Wed 19-21st: Africa's Green Economy Summit, Cape Town, South Africa. 📅 Fri 21st: Innovate AI Conference, Lagos, Nigeria. 👉 To find out more about Africa Tech & Investment focused events then check out my annual African Tech Events Watchlist - 2025 Edition. 🔥 Person to Follow #85 - Rebekah Kasumu is helping Emerging Managers in scaling Venture Fund. The Founder of Flourish Partners Ltd the CFO & COO advisory form for first-time fund managers in Venture Capital. A real ecosystem builder who used to be a Partner and Head of Finance for European leading VC Fund LocalGlobe, she is a lecturer for the New Venture Program and board member for several organisations. 🎙️ This week on The AVCA - The African Private Capital Association Podcast we are joined by M. Mikael Hajjar, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at P1 Ventures, shares how his firm identifies exceptional founders in unexpected places. With US $50 million deployed across 34 companies, including Yassir, Raenest, and Nuitée, P1 Ventures combines data-driven insights with a boots-on-ground presence across Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi, and Dakar. #Startups #Tech #Investment #Africa