December Highlights: Inside Scoop on 8 African Ecosystems from Matt Davis, Africa’s Lithium Leap, Jobs and a Career Story

Welcome to December! Now's your chance to brighten up the neighborhood - hang those Christmas lights and let the holiday cheer shine, judgment-free. But before we get into the festive spirit, we have the inside scoop from Matt Davis on 8 African startup ecosystems, a journey to Renew Capital blog and job opportunities that we don’t want you to miss.

Inside Scoop: Matt Davis Explores 8 Startup Ecosystems

In Brief: Laura and I recently embarked on a six-week investment trip across East and Southern Africa, including a visit to Ghana in West Africa. We engaged with more than 100 founders with the aim of selecting the best deals for Renew Venture Lab Fund. What we observed was a brilliant, diverse and energetic blend of talent, culture and progress…

Highlights from the Blog:

• Ethiopia's Tech Surge: A fintech awakening, despite past challenges.
• Ghana's Fintech Promise: A new Fintech star?
• Uganda's Unique Blend: Chaos and growth in the private sector.
• Rwanda's Hopeful Future: A startup hub shines with government support.
• Nairobi's Talent: Talented entrepreneurs are navigating economic headwinds.
• Tanzania’s Tech Evolution: Poised for growth with a close-knit, emerging ecosystem.
• Zambia's Potential: Stability and discipline paving the way for tech growth.
• Mozambique’s Fusion: Afro-European vibe and emerging tech scene.

Read the full blog for more unfiltered insights.

Antony’s Thoughts on Africa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

In this interview, Renew Capital’s Marketing and Communications Manager Antony Maina takes us through his career journey from being raised in a small town in Kenya that’s synonymous with long-distance runners to his involvement and thoughts on Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

“I strongly believe that entrepreneurship is an underleveraged tool in the fight against poverty and many other global challenges that we face today,” He says. “Entrepreneurs are innovative and are wired to create solutions. With the right support, entrepreneurs can be a driving force for sustainable economic growth.”

Learn more about Maina's journey and his vision for Africa's entrepreneurial landscape in the full interview.

Job Opportunities With Renew Capital

Are you looking for your next career challenge? Want to be a part of an Africa-focused investment firm? We are now looking for top candidates from Senegal, Morocco, Malawi, Madagascar and more. Check out our job opportunities. 

What we look for in candidates: 

• Trailblazing professionals aligned with our values.
• Resilience to face challenges head-on daily.
• Commitment and pride in advancing projects systematically.
• Mission-driven mindset with a focus on long-term impacts.
• Passion to make a lasting economic difference in Africa.

Sounds like you or someone you know? We encourage you to apply.

Africa's Lithium Leap: Powering the EV Future

The Big Picture: Africa's rich lithium reserves are becoming a focal point in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. With China's investment on the decline, the U.S. is stepping in to diversify the critical EV battery supply chain.

Why It Matters: This shift represents a significant geopolitical and economic turn. African nations are transitioning from merely exporting raw materials to boosting local processing capacities, signaling a move towards greater economic independence and strategic relevance in the global clean energy push.

Read the full blog to understand how this evolution in Africa’s approach to its natural resources is not just a local change, but a significant step in reshaping the global landscape of clean energy and EV technology.

Renew Capital manages the Renew Capital Angels, a global community of for-purpose investors who seek financial returns and sustainable social impact by making investments into growth-oriented small and medium enterprises in Africa. Together, with our partners, we aim to build and strengthen the private sector in the countries where we work. We invite you to join us.