ZidiCircle: Connecting African Entrepreneurs with Investment and Growth Opportunities

ZidiCircle is an entrepreneurship and investment platform that seeks to strengthen connections between African entrepreneurs, diaspora investors, mentors and business networks. Its approach emphasizes the role of the African diaspora in mobilizing capital, expertise and international partnerships to support innovative businesses and sustainable economic development across Africa.

Beyond facilitating access to finance, ZidiCircle promotes entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking and investment-readiness support. By connecting promising enterprises with investors and experienced professionals, it helps address some of the challenges faced by African start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly limited access to investment, markets and business development expertise.

Founded in 2016 by Fridah Ntarangwi, a Kenyan entrepreneur based in Europe, ZidiCircle operates through three pillars: Learn, Connect and Invest. Its cooperative investment model pools diaspora capital to finance promising African enterprises. It's network has grown to more than 4,900 entrepreneurs and 793 angel investors.

Of particular interest to agricultural research and innovation is ZidiCircle's support for SMEs in food and agriculture, renewable energy, the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. Its investment programme targets eligible enterprises seeking €10,000–€50,000, combining finance with strategic guidance and market connections. This offers potential opportunities for African agrifood entrepreneurs, including businesses developing value chains for neglected and underutilized crops, to connect with diaspora investors and international markets.