Three Classes.
Real Momentum.
Since 2023, we’ve supported 38 Fellows across three Classes — from nascent fund concepts to active investment vehicles deploying capital across Africa. Here's what that looks like in numbers.
38
Fellows across 3 Classes
14
Countries represented
$85.93M
Total LP commitments
60.5%
Female representation across all Classes
CLASS BY CLASS
Every Class, we’ve raised the bar.
Three Classes. Three iterations. Each one stronger, deeper in geography, more ambitious in gender inclusion, more impactful on Fellows' fund journeys.
OL1 · Inaugural Class
2023
Our founding proof of concept.
12 Fellows across 5 countries, sourced entirely through word of mouth. We proved that structured support for Africa-focused Emerging Fund Managers was needed.
Fellows12 enrolled · 9 graduated
Countries5
Female representation58%
Graduation rate75%
Mid-Fellowship endorsement3.8 / 5
9 out of 9 graduates strongly agreed they would recommend the Fellowship.
OL2 · Second Class
2023
Deeper, broader, and more structured.
Fifteen Fellows from eight countries. A formalised selection process with 77 nominations, deeper LP integration built into the programme from day one, and a community that took on a life of its own.
Fellows15
Countries8
Female representation60%
Graduation rate100%
Mid-Fellowship endorsement4.6 / 5
14 out of 15 Fellows agreed or strongly agreed they would recommend the Fellowship.
OL3 · Third Class
2024-2025
Our strongest Class yet.
14 Fellows from 9 countries. 108 nominations, a 12.96% acceptance rate. Delivered in partnership with MEDA and culminating in our inaugural Summit in Cape Town.
Fellows14
Countries9
Female representation71%
Graduation rate100%
Net Promoter Score71
100% of Fellows developed an investment thesis. 64% completed a full fund model. All initiated a data room.
Geographic Reach
Pan-African, by design.
38 Fellows. 14 countries. Anglophone, Francophone, and Arabic-speaking markets represented across three Classes.
5
countries in OL1
8
countries in OL2
9
countries in OL3
North Africa
Egypt
East Africa
Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius
West Africa
Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire
Southern Africa
South Africa, Zambia
Diaspora
UK, US, Netherlands
Gender Representation
A rising trend we're proud of.
Female representation has grown with every Class — a reflection of our deliberate approach to recruitment and selection.
Fellows aren’t just learning. They’re raising and deploying capital.
FROM FELLOWSHIP TO FUND
Fundraising
$85.93M
Total LP commitments
Secured by Fellows across all three Classes combined
$5.3M
Obuntu-attributed commitments
Directly attributed to introductions and support from OL3 programming
143
LP engagements (OL3)
Introductions and interactions between OL3 Fellows and LP Community members
Deployment
$10.33M
Capital deployed (2025)
Active capital put to work by Fellows into African companies this year
53
Companies backed (2025)
Investments made by Fellows in 2025
25
Active funds
Funds across VC, Private Credit, Working Capital, and Blended Finance
The Fellowship moves Fellows forward. The data backs it up.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
Across all three Classes, Fellows have reported significant gains in confidence, fund management knowledge, and LP engagement capability. These aren't soft metrics: they translate into tangible fund progress.
Satisfaction
93%
Would recommend the Fellowship
Fellows who would recommend the Obuntu Launchpad to another Africa-focused Emerging Fund Manager
91.2%
Average attendance
Average attendance rate across all core Fellowship sessions
NPS 71
Net Promoter Score
Post-Fellowship Net Promoter Score
Excellent
Fellow Outputs
100%
Completed their investment thesis
Every Fellow completed a structured investment thesis — a core building block for LP engagement
100%
Launched a deal room
Every Fellow built and launched a deal room, signalling serious intent to potential LPs
Fellows Reported Based on end-of-Fellowship survey data, OL3
60%
Increase in confidence on fund structuring
Fellows reported a 60% increase in confidence navigating fund structuring, legal setup, and administration
70%
Increase in perceived LP readiness
Fellows reported a 70% increase in their perceived readiness to engage with LPs
Join us in backing Africa's next generation of fund managers.
GET INVOLVED
We're building something that matters, and we can't do it alone. Whether you're an LP looking to engage with the next generation of African fund managers, or an organisation that wants to support this work, we'd love to hear from you.
Join the LP Community
Get early visibility into a pipeline of vetted, Fellowship-trained Emerging Fund Managers. Participate in Fellow selection, attend the annual Summit, and help shape the ecosystem. LPs here aren't passive observers.
Partner with Obuntu
Fund the Fellowship, become a Session Lead, or bring your expertise directly to Fellows. If you believe in backing Africa's next generation of fund managers, we'd love to explore what's possible.